Something will be missing this holiday season in downtown Decorah

For many years, the streetlights of downtown Decorah have been adorned with white lights and Christmas wreaths during the holiday season, but not this year. Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kristina Wiltgen says, "Due to the poor condition of the wreaths, they will not be hung this year."

Wiltgen says over 200 wreaths have been hung on the lightposts for longer than she has been working at the Chamber -- that's 13 years. Each year a number of wreaths are replaced on a rotating basis, but their overall condition has deteriorated so much that it's not feasible or cost effective to keep doing so. Wiltgen says the Decorah Downtown Betterment Association is exploring other decorating options for this year, including decorating downtown trees with solar powered lights. The DDBA will continue to support downtown businesses with rooftop lighting and will also decorate Water Street Park.