Enchanted Evening attracts young and old

The large crowd assembled in the parking lot at Left Hand Corner Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. was treated to a concert of holiday tunes by the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band in anticipation of the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The warm evening brought several hundred parents and children to downtown Niwot for the annual Enchanted Evening gathering, and the lighting of the community Christmas Tree in the Niwot Sculpture Park.

Just before Santa's arrival, the crowd was treated to an appearance by Elsa, from the Disney movie "Frozen." Elsa performed for the crowd, then moved to Belle Terre where she held court for children who were truly enchanted by the Snow Queen.

Santa arrived just in time to count down the lighting of the community Christmas Tree. Josh Morin acted as emcee for the evening as children swarmed Jolly Old St. Nicholas and Mrs. Claus before they left to set up shop at the Left Hand Grange.

Revelers were treated to horse and carriage rides between Cottonwood Square and 2nd Avenue all evening, while a harpist entertained guests at the Niwot Inn, and grammy-award winning banjo player Pete Wernick entertained guests at the Niwot Wheel Works.

Niwot merchants reported many visitors, and Open Studios held a grand opening at the former Niwot Rental & Feed store, hosting many local artists for the holiday season.