Holiday Magic is coming to Niwot

In an uncertain world, Niwot's annual Holiday Magic events provide traditions, nostalgia and hope for the future. Holiday Magic in Niwot is comprised of four main events: Enchanted Evening on Nov. 24, the Friday after Thanksgiving; the Holiday Parade on the following day, Nov. 25; and then two Holiday Market days at the Left Hand Grange on the first two Saturdays in December, Dec. 2 and 9.

During this magical time, there are several opportunities for children to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Left Hand Grange. First, they can chat with Santa during Enchanted Evening from 6.30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., then again from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on parade day, and finally, from 1:00 p.m. until 3 p.m. during both Holiday Market days.

Enchanted Evening starts at 5:45 p.m. on Nov. 24 at the Left Hand Corner with the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band playing holiday music as the crowd gathers in anticipation of Santa's arrival. Santa and Mrs. Claus are expected to arrive sometime after 6 p.m. to light the Niwot Christmas Tree across the street in the Niwot Sculpture Park.

Rumor has it that Elsa from Frozen will make an appearance as well, just as she did last year. All around town, businesses will showcase their holiday-themed windows, and serve festive treats. It will be a real life Hallmark Channel event.

A new addition to Enchanted Evening will be the beautiful Luminary Walk where 1,000 luminaries will be positioned all around town to connect Niwot downtown, the Sculpture Park and Cottonwood Square. "It's going to be truly magical," said Niwot town administrator Angela Hudgins. Colorado Materials donated sand to weigh down each of the 1,000 bags holding the luminaries.

The next day, Nov. 25, at 11:00 a.m. the festive holiday parade begins. The parade is organized by longtime resident and former Niwot business owner, Linda Klueber. The parade will have approximately 60 participants featuring local businesses, schools, churches, and social groups.

The grand finale of the parade will be the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus on the local fire truck.

This year's parade day will be particularly exciting as it is the same day as Small Business Saturday and the launch of the new Niwot shopping bag and the Niwot Nickel. Check out niwot.com and the article about the launch of the Niwot Nickel in this edition of the Courier for details about how to obtain the Niwot shopping bag and nickel.

The Holiday Market, held on the first two Saturdays in December, Dec. 2 and Dec. 9, will be held at the Left Hand Grange from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Twenty-eight local vendors will showcase and sell beautifully handmade festive crafts. The Women's International Niwot Club will host its famous bake sale featuring holiday desserts from around the world. The bake sale typically includes treats such as British mince pies (no, they don't contain meat), stollen and lebkuchen cookies.

A horse and carriage will be available during each Holiday Market for festive rides between Cottonwood Square and Second Avenue so everyone has an opportunity to frequent all the local businesses and restaurants.

The season promises to have the Hallmark stamp of approval thanks to hard work by numerous volunteers, sponsorship by the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) and the Niwot Business Association, and the leadership of Deb Fowler, the NBA events committee chairperson. Visit https://niwot.com/niwot-holiday-magic/ for more information.