Holiday tradition: BMO Harris Bank lobby comes alive with Steiff animal display

MILWAUKEE -- There is no denying Santa Claus does some incredible work. But we want you to meet someone else who creates holiday magic. His workshop is not in the North Pole. It's in Milwaukee.

Mark Hare

Your mother may have told you patience is a virtue. Mark Hare appears to have been listening.

"Just hitting this lace with a little white metallic paint to make sure it sparkles," said Hare. "If you did this crown in one step, it would take the better part of a work day."

In September, Hare had already been working for five months. By October, what Hare is building was beginning to take shape.

"It's certainly very detailed oriented, and I enjoy that.  That's where a lot of the magic from the display comes," said Hare.

Mark Hare

More than 15,000 people will see Hare's work. Most are unaware the job is nearly entirely done by just one man.

Kara Kaiser

Kara Kaiser is with BMO Harris Bank. The bank gave FOX6 News unprecedented access to a Milwaukee holiday tradition -- the BMO Harris Bank Holiday Display in downtown Milwaukee.

"Back in 1972, the bank as M&I , we acquired 30 life-size Steiff animals from the largest store in the world FAO Schwartz in New York City," said Kaiser. "Our collection has grown since then. Today, we have over 150 stuffed animals within our collection."

By November, Hare's work was wrapped and ready to be shipped.

"This year our theme is 'Northern Lights, the Magical World of the Snow Queen,'" said Kaiser.

PHOTO GALLERY



Santa has helpers for an entire year. Hare gets just one weekend to set up the entire display -- with a little bit of help. Then, on the Monday after Thanksgiving, the BMO Harris Bank lobby in downtown Milwaukee (near Water and Mason) comes alive. Each stuffed animal has a costume designed just for them.

Want to see the BMO Harris Bank's Annual Steiff Animal Holiday Display for yourself? CLICK HERE to learn the times it is open to the public.