Shorewood Clarifies Proposed Holiday Decorations Ban

SHOREWOOD, WI —As officials in Shorewood consider the details of a proposed holiday decorations ban — and receive public feedback over the measure — officials offered a clarification on what the proposed ban would mean. Earlier, Patch reported that the Village Board delayed a potential vote on the ban, sending it back to the Human Relations Commission for refinement.

This week, Village Manager Rebecca Ewald outlined several points to help answer some of the questions officials have been receiving. According to Ewald:

1. The proposed policy will only relate to permanent decorations or objects on Village property or the public right-of way. Events that may use temporary symbols or decorations for a few hours will be excluded from the policy. The Shorewood Men’s Club Easter Egg hunt, the Recreation Department’s Night of the Ghost Train, the Business Improvement District’s Shorewood Shenanigans, or any other events that may incorporate symbols that may have religious meaning would still be allowed on public property as long as a special event permit is completed.

2. WinterFest with the tree and menorah lighting ceremony that occurs at Wood Square (space between Metro Market parking lot and MOD Pizza) is on private property. All holiday decorations would still be allowed on private property as long as the property owner grants permission. Therefore, if this policy is approved, there would be no change to the WinterFest event.

3. The only change from prior years the Village foresees is no longer putting holiday lights on the evergreens in Atwater Park. If approved, the policy would also direct the Village to say no to future requests for religious symbols in public space.

4. The Human Relations Commission is going to consider recommending a new updated policy to send back to the Village Board for review during their next meeting in October. The meeting date is currently being rescheduled due to another human relations event scheduled on October 10. It is anticipated the Village Board will consider approval of a revised holiday decoration policy during their October 21 meeting.