As Candy Kane Lane turns 40, neighbors aim to set a new fundraising record

WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) — Displaying holiday lights in your neighborhood may seem like a light-hearted effort, but Ken Perkle insists it’s a serious commitment. Now in his 19th year on the committee that oversees Candy Cane Lane in West Allis, Perkle says it’s harder than people think.

“Oh, this is very serious,” Perkle said. “We have volunteers on the street, and you have up to 15 different volunteers a night.”

Now a staple of southeastern Wisconsin, Candy Cain Lane began 40 years ago when neighbors rallied around a boy who was diagnosed with brain cancer. shared for recount MACC Foundation.

Over the next four decades, the annual month-long attraction raised $3 million for childhood cancer research.

“Every night is worth it,” Perkle said. “I was here one night, the temperature was 37 (degrees) below wind chill, and we needed a couple hundred more dollars to get to the next $10,000, and I stood here with a bucket by myself and got $1,100.”

Those new to the area quickly realize that this makes a big difference for homeowners along the boundaries of Candy Cane Lane, which lies between 92nd and 96th Streets from east to west and from Montana Avenue to Oklahoma. Avenue from north to south.

Samuel Carter Erb Mueller moved to the area three years ago and said he didn’t know much about the tradition.

“My husband knew what it was. I’m not originally from Milwaukee, so it was kind of a surprise,” Mueller said. “I knew what people were talking about, but I didn’t realize how important it was.”

While many of the yards display specific themes, from Star Wars to Christmas holidays, Muller admitted his setup is a bit of a hodgepodge: an inflatable Santa Claus in a helicopter and another inflatable set of penguins making sushi.

“Some of the neighbors here will give you their Christmas things when you move in,” he explained. “We bought from someone who wasn’t involved, so we had to start from scratch.”

Candy Cane Lane is open every year from the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas. It officially opened on Friday evening at 6:00 p.m., but cars started slowing down after the sun went down around 5 p.m.

Perkle said organizers hope to build on the success of last year’s fundraising, which brought in $194,000 for the MACC Foundation. It was the second-best year in the event’s history, trailing only the $207,500 raised in 2020.

Much of the appeal is visitors returning with a sense of nostalgia. David Pautz said although he no longer lived near Milwaukee, it was important to return and share the tradition with his family.

“I grew up in New Berlin, and we’ve lived in Neenah for the last 10 to 15 years,” he said. “And I wanted to show the kids how cool it is.”

Many others are keen to drive through the area as around 300 homes are taking part in the show. Perkle said that while fundraising is at the core of the appeal, it’s also about the community.

“People come to us who don’t have money,” he said. “And they say, ‘Oh, we don’t have any money.’ Do not worry about it. Just look at the lights, enjoy it and Merry Christmas.”

Candy Cane Lane is open this year from 6pm to 9pm Monday to Thursday, 6pm to 10pm Friday, 5pm to 10pm Saturday and 5pm to 9pm on Sundays. Instructions and a link to donate online are available. on the event website.