Enchanted Evening and Holiday Parade - The snow must go on!

Temperatures in the low 20s and light snow did not keep the crowds away from Niwot's Enchanted Evening Nov. 24, nor the Holiday Parade the next morning on Nov. 25.

ENCHANTED EVENING

The annual tree-lighting ceremony in Niwot began with an abbreviated concert by what one band member referred to as the Niwot Community "Semi-Freezing" Free Grange Band. Niwot Inn & Spa proprietor Cornelia Sawle opened up her conference room to allow band members to "warm-up," a term that took on a dual meaning on an unseasonably cold November evening.

Sound man and alto sax player Bob Stadtherr set up the sound system and lights for the band at Left Hand Corner, made available to for the community to gather by Euvaldo and Helen Valdez, and their son, Tom Valdez, proprietor of Niwot Liquor.

Devin Hughes, conductor of the Boulder Symphony, was on hand to serve as master of ceremonies. Hughes noted that the Boulder Symphony was founded in Niwot in 2009 as the Niwot Timberline Symphony Orchestra, and noted that he had been married in Niwot several years ago.

As the Community Band began performing holiday tunes under the direction of Debbie Benson, such as "Let It Snow, Let It Snow," "A Jazzy Christmas," "A Can-Can Christmas," and a Christmas singalong medley, a large crowd gathered as light snow continued to fall. While waiting for Santa and Mrs. Claus to arrive for the 6:15 p.m. holiday tree-lighting ceremony, Hughes kept the crowd's attention, handing out candy canes to winners of holiday trivia questions, such as, "How many times does Santa check his list?"

Just as the band finished performing a rendition of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," the jolly old elf and Mrs. Claus arrived in a horse-drawn carriage, to the delight of young and old. After a few words from Santa and his partner, Hughes led a count-down to the tree lighting, and the lights in the blue spruce tree in Niwot's Sculpture Park came on, right on cue.

Santa and Mrs. Claus spoke with youngsters, posed for photos, and even danced as the band played "Santa Baby." As the band played a few final selections, including "I'll Be Home for Christmas," the guests of honor made their way to the Left Hand Grange, and the crowd followed. Band members, including former Gunbarrel resident Dr. Jenn Hronkin, who drove from Evergreen to play clarinet with the band, were able to thaw out their frozen instruments at the Niwot Inn while enjoying hot chocolate, courtesy of the Inn, and the music of harpist Carolyn Kuban.

In spite of the freezing temperatures, crowds roamed 2nd Avenue and Cottonwood Square as musicians performed, including Skip & Gayn at Osmosis Art & Architecture, Nalani at The Niwot Wheel Works, and a quartet of women carolers at Niwot Jewelry & Gifts, among other stores.

A horse-drawn carriage took shoppers back and forth between 2nd Avenue and Cottonwood Square all evening. Fly Away Home Decor proprietor Kathy Trauner reported a steady stream of shoppers all evening, who had an opportunity to interact with her featured artist, Kath Reilly.

Inkberry Books proprietors Gene Hayworth and Keith Waters hosted shoppers looking for holiday gifts, and served generous helpings of holiday treats. By the end of the evening, shoppers young and old had enjoyed another edition of Enchanted Evening.

HOLIDAY PARADE, SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY and THE Niwot NICKEL

Small Business Saturday and the launch of the new Niwot Nickel holiday shopping promotion on Saturday, Nov. 25 brought shoppers into Niwot's stores as they braved the suddenly-cold and snowy weather. Those who arrived early were treated to Niwot's annual Holiday Parade, which began right on time, at 11 a.m., in spite of temperatures around 20 degrees and snow flurries.

Linda Klueber, who has organized both Enchanted Evening and the Holiday Parade for many years, was on hand with her husband, Chuck Klueber and other volunteers, to adjust the parade entries due to several cancellations. Scout Troop 161 of Niwot carried the colors to start the parade, and approximately 40 entries, including businesses, churches, youth organizations, and community members, braved the weather to create another Hallmark moment.

Klueber and Deb Fowler, vice-president of the Niwot Business Association, were up early Saturday morning, sending out 8 a.m. texts, emails and voice messages to groups who had signed up to participate in the parade. Though several entries did decide to cancel due to the inclement weather, when the Niwot Community Association's road crew arrived in downtown Niwot to position the "Road Closed'' signs for the parade, the organizers were convinced that "the parade must go on."

The Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band was down a few members on Saturday, some recovering from Covid, some recovering from operations, and some whose instruments or health were compromised from the previous night's performance. Nevertheless, 15 band members arrived to provide holiday music for the parade, including Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Christmas on Parade.

Following the parade, shoppers took advantage of the new Niwot Nickel promotion of the Niwot Business Association to pick up a custom Niwot-themed shopping bag, and a wooden nickel, good for $5 in trade at any participating Niwot merchant.

The Small Business Saturday promotion brought many shoppers into the shops of Niwot merchants throughout the day. Niwot's Holiday Magic continues Dec. 2 and Dec. 9 with more holiday events.