Enchanted Evening Friday, Parade Saturday

Linda Klueber, Niwot Business Association (NBA) Secretary, and her husband, Chuck Klueber, NBA Streetscapes Representative, have worked together this year to produce Niwot’s annual holiday events, Enchanted Evening and the Holiday Parade. Enchanted Evening is celebrated each year on the day after Thanksgiving. This year it will be celebrated on Friday, Nov. 24 from 6 to 9 p.m.

The Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band will kick off the holiday event at 5:45 p.m., at the corner of Niwot Road and Second Avenue. Santa will arrive shortly thereafter in a horse drawn carriage to host the tree lighting ceremony at 6:15 p.m., with the community band concert continuing until 7 p.m.

From 6:30 to 9 p.m. Santa will be at the Left Hand Grange to visit with the children and hear their gift wish lists. The Ptarmigan String Quartet will be playing next to Santa at the Grange. Dr. Banjo (Pete Wernick) will be playing at Winot Coffee, Carolyn Kuban will be playing her harp at the Niwot Inn, and Lisa Blumenthal, a classic guitarist, will be playing at Osmosis Art & Architecture.

There will be music at Niwot Jewelry & Gifts along with strolling carolers roaming the streets of Old Town and Cottonwood Square.

A window-decorating contest for local business owners is being sponsored by the NBA. Visitors to participating businesses will be given a ballot to vote for their favorite window decoration. The ballots can be submitted for a chance to win gift certificates from Niwot businesses.

An arts and craft show will be held at the Emporium Building on 2nd Avenue. Visitors can take Banjo Billy’s free bus rides from Old Town to Cottonwood Square, and stop by Niwot Market to watch the ice sculpture demonstration.

Anyone who has attended Enchanted Evening knows what a delightful and fun experience it is.

The Kluebers have also been collaborating with Niwot High School Key Club President Sara Bovaird and Vice-President Siri Hvidevold on the annual Holiday Parade, which follows Enchanted Evening on Saturday, Nov. 25.

There will be over 30 groups marching in the parade, including not only the Boulder County Sheriff’s Color Guard, but also the cub scouts, boy scouts, brownies, girl scouts, 4-H clubs, classic car clubs, horses, llamas, a marching band, Niwot High School clubs and more.

Santa will be the parade grand marshal, which will start at 11 a.m. at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Murray Street. Following the parade, Santa will be at the Grange until 1 p.m. to visit with the children. Craft vendors will also be at the Grange with holiday gifts for sale.