Let the holiday fun begin

Let the Holiday Fun Begin!

Niwot’s Holiday Magic Celebration is kicking off with the 22nd Annual Enchanted Evening, followed by the coveted Holiday Parade, Small Business Saturday and two weekends of Holiday Markets and events around town. The details:

Enchanted Evening

It all began over 20 years ago when the town gathered around the evening following Thanksgiving to light the holiday tree and support our local shops by jump starting the holiday buying. Sarah Cioni, one of the originators of the event, says this year is no different. The tree lighting, at the corner of 2nd Ave & Niwot Road (near the stop sign) will take place on Friday, Nov. 25 at 6:15 p.m. with a concert by the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band beginning at 5:45 p.m.

Watch for Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, arriving in a horse drawn carriage around 6 p.m. and enjoy The Snow Queen singing “Into the Unknown.” Immediately after the tree lighting, the music will continue and Santa will be at the Left Hand Grange from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m., ready for visits. Everyone is invited back to Belle Terre Floral in Cottonwood Square for a Meet, Greet & Treats photo op with the Snow Queen herself.

The Ptarmigan String Quartet will be playing next to Santa at the Left Hand Grange. Dr. Banjo (Pete Wernick) will be playing at Winot Coffee, a harpist will be playing at the Niwot Inn, a classical guitarist will be playing at Osmosis Art & Architecture and carolers will be roaming the streets of 2nd Avenue and Cottonwood Square. An arts and crafts show will be held at the Emporium building. Visitors can take carriage rides to and from 2nd Avenue and Cottonwood Square.

There will be several groups marching in the parade including not only t Following the parade Santa will be at the Grange until 1:00 p.m. to once again visit with the children.

Holiday Parade

Historic downtown Niwot (2nd Avenue between Murray Street and Niwot Road) will be the place to be Saturday, Nov. 26 at 11 a.m. for the Niwot Annual Holiday Parade, featuring the Boulder County Sheriff's Color Guard, the Boulder County Rodeo Fair Royalty, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Brownies, Girl Scouts, 4-H clubs, classic car clubs, horses, marching bands and much more!

Santa will be the Grand Marshal of the parade, and Santa and Mrs. Claus will round out the parade festivities by greeting kids at the Left Hand Grange. But that’s not all, stick around town and support our local shops for Small Business Saturday. Organizer Linda Klueber, says, “I am so proud how the parade has grown over the years. This year we will have over 50 participating groups!”

Small Business Saturday

After the parade, on Saturday, Nov. 26, Small Business Saturday begins. Please stay after the parade to visit our amazing local businesses. Small Business Saturday is a national event – a day to celebrate and support small businesses and all they do for their communities.

Holiday Cheer Around Town

There will be live music, carolers, a magician, and a face painter around town for all sorts of family fun on both Dec. 3 and Dec. 10 during the town’s Holiday Markets.

Holiday Markets

The first two Saturdays of December (the 3rd and 10th) will be full of holiday fun around town. Niwot’s Annual Holiday Markets will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Markets from around the area will be selling their wares inside Left Hand Grange on the corner of Franklin Street and 2nd Avenue, as well as the Niwot Emporium, behind the Old Oak Coffeehouse on 2nd Avenue. Stop in for holiday gifts galore, and have a visit with Santa. He will be inside Left Hand Grange for photo ops and wish lists until 1:00 p.m. each Saturday.

Open Studios and the Niwot Cultural Arts Association will bring many local artists into the former Niwot Rental & Feed store on 2nd Avenue on weekends and select days in November and December to offer unique gifts for the holidays.

Progressive Theatre Group

New this year is the Progressive Theatre Group which will be performing scenes from their rendition of Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic, “The Nutcracker,” throughout Niwot. Check http://www.niwot.com for more information

Holiday Charity Tree Auction

Also new this year will be the Holiday Tree Auction. Stop by the Grand Tent outside of Blessings Day Spa on Dec. 3 and Dec.10 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and bid on decorated trees donated by local businesses. All monies gathered during the event will be donated to a charity of each business’s choice.

Window Decorating Contest

Participating local businesses all over town will decorate their windows for all to enjoy. Stop by town shops and businesses to see all the festive decor then vote for the Best Dressed Holiday window.

Event Chair Deborah Fowler, of DRF Real Estate/Slifer Smith & Frampton and Vice-President of the Niwot Business Association said, “It is so exciting to see Niwot come alive in such festive ways with cheer and holiday fun for everyone!”

For more information and timetables, go to http://www.niwot.com.