BMO Harris Bank holiday display is tradition for many

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- This holiday season you can help those in need, by simply walking through a winter wonderland!

On Monday, December 2nd, Jerry Benedict and his three-year-old granddaughter Madelyn were among the first to experience opening day of this year's BMO Harris Bank holiday display in downtown Milwaukee.

"She was so excited. She couldn't wait to be here today," Benedict said.

Mary Osten says she's visited the display annually for the past four decades!

"That's the first time that we've been here the first day, so it's kind of a 'first' even though it's a tradition that -- it wouldn't be Christmas without coming down here," Osten said.

The display features children's storyland for the 41st year.

"To see the look on the faces of the children is -- it's just kind wonder and amazement. It's neat!" BMO Harris Bank Regional President Kara Kaiser said.

This year's display is called "Holiday Busytown," and features more than 150 Steiff vintage stuffed animals playing roles depicted in author Richard Scarry's children's books.

"We rotate the animals in. We decorate them. We've got 20 freshly-cut evergreen trees as part of the display -- so there's a lot of really neat things about it," Kaiser said.

Not the least of which involves the charitable component of a display open to the public, free of charge.

"For every visitor to this holiday display this year, we will donate $5 -- with a goal of donating $30,000 to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin," Kaiser said.

The BMO Harris Bank holiday display is open weekdays through Monday, January 6th.