Tour of Homes opens holiday season

The annual Christmas Tour of Homes sponsored by the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau is this weekend.

The tour features five homes and the Octagon House, all decorated for the holiday season. This year's tour features a contemporary home in St. Croix Station, the Jefferson-Day House, two turn-of-century homes in the historic district and the 1900 St. Croix County courthouse, now a private residence.

Dave Tank purchased the courthouse several years ago as a private residence. For the tour, the courtroom will be decked out for a formal dinner party with a "festival of tables." Five women whose homes have previously been part of the tour will each set and decorate a table in the room. The courthouse features beautiful hardwood floors and marble steps, stained glass windows and extensive oak paneling and trim. Several safes from the old courthouse days have been transformed into rooms.

Advance ticketholders for the tour are eligible for five door prizes valued at $250 each. The prizes will be displayed at the homes. Prizes this year are from Lavender Thymes, Futon and Home Shoppe, Hudson Flower Shop, Kelley Fine Art and Frame Galleries and alley jax. Other prizes are available at participating retailers throughout the weekend.

An important part of the tour weekend is a trip to the Tour of Homes Craft Sale at the Hudson House Inn. Only unique and finely crafted items are selected for the sale. More than 20 craftsmen and artists participate.

Tour times are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $12 for the two-day event. Tickets are available at the Chamber of Commerce office at the corner of Walnut and Second streets and at several downtown retailers.

The official Tour of Homes guide published by the Star-Observer is included in this week's HSO.