Annual Holiday Lights Display Begins Tonight
We typically do the Candlelight Walk on the first Friday in December, but–very wisely–we’re not doing that tonight Instead, we can watch online as the Mayor pushes a button (possibly from home) and that will light the trees along the Creek.
The City has set up a Facebook Event so we can watch it happen from our own COVID-free homes. Tune in tonight at 7PM!
The lights will be up for at least two months, so you have plenty of time to enjoy them without wading into a crowd.
Candlelight Nights: Be Merry, Be Bright, Share Your Golden Light
The City has also bought electric candles for everyone in town to place in their windows this month. You can get yours by calling the Chamber at 303-279-3113 or visiting On Tap Credit Union, 816 Washington Avenue (map) (while supplies last),
Coronavirus/COVID-19
Public Health References
CDC * Colorado * Jefferson County * City of Golden
Here’s the most recent Coronavirus report from Jeffco Public Health’s Case Summary Page:
Cases in Jeffco – Tues: 21,152 | Thurs: 22,213 (+1061)
Deaths in Jeffco – Tues: 469 | Thurs: 493 (+24)
Ever Hospitalized in Jeffco – Weds: 1,172 | Thurs: 1,312 (currently 220) (+140)
Recovered – Tues: 16,853 | Thurs: 17,753 (+900)
Known Cases in Golden – Tues: 732| Thurs: 770 (+38)
Mines COVID Testing | Jeffco Fairgrounds COVID Testing | School of Mines COVID-19 case page. | Masks are required | City and County fire restrictions | Sign up for exposure notifications.
About That 150 Apartment Project…
The Planning Commission received a lot of public comments about that project, which were sent to the Commissioners and the developers but were not included in the meeting packet. They’re up now. They make for interesting reading.
FYI, our City Councilors aren’t allowed to consider or discuss this case while it’s going through the Planning Commission. If you want to contribute comments, send them to the Planning Commission at planningcommission@cityofgolden.net.
Virtual Golden
6-6:55AM Virtual HIIT
8:30-9:30AM Virtual Power Training
8-9AM Morning Start: An Artist Coffee Meetup with Nikki Nienhuis
4-5PM Friday Crafternoons – Cottonball 3D Snowman – JCPL
7PM Annual Holiday Lights Display Begins – Virtual Live Stream
Real World Golden
It you go downtown shopping today, make sure you check out the holiday ice sculpture at Goozell Yogurt (12th and Washington). Have some frozen yogurt or hot chocolate while you’re there.
10AM-5PM Holiday Art Market
1-2PM The Friday Tour @ Colorado Railroad Museum – Highlights
Saturday Preview
10AM Coffee with Councilors
Councilors Casey Brown and JJ Trout will have a special guest tomorrow–former Mayor, now our RTD representative MARJORIE SLOAN. This is a great chance to talk about public transit or city matters.
Join the Zoom Meeting online. Or you can join by phone by calling (346) 248-7799.
Meeting ID: 852 5652 4602
Passcode: COGCWC
10AM-4PM Drive-Thru Toy Drive for the Miracle Shop
Bring unwrapped toys to the east side of Parfet Park and Golden Rotarians and Golden High School Interactors will put them in a big transparent candy cane. Help them fill it! No need to get out of your car.
5-6:30PM Christmas in the Park
Join us for Christmas in the Park and learn the history behind some favorite traditions. This family event allows you to stroll through the Golden History Park, take in the colorful lights, peek through the windows, try a craft, and bask in the season. Tickets are required for this event, to minimize the number of people present in the park. 5PM is sold out, but as I write this, there are still tickets at 5:30 and 6. Get tickets here.
Golden History Moment
The Candlelight Walk began in 1987. It was organized by Carol Ann Bowles from the Chamber of Commerce and John Tracy from the Golden Transcript. They, and a small group of others, held candles and walked along Washington Avenue, singing Christmas carols. The event grew in popularity and became more and more elaborate over the years, as did Golden’s holiday lighting.
In recent years, tens of thousands of people have participated. They meet at the top of the Washington Avenue hill, near Foothills Art Center. Led by Santa Claus and his wife, the group walks slowly down the hill, still holding candles and still singing Christmas carols. As they reach each of the cross streets, the lights along that block are turned on. When they reach the Visitors Center, there are some music and dance performances, followed by the grand lighting moment. The large evergreen at 10th and Washington is turned on, with its thousands of multicolored lights. At the same time, the lights along the creek and the trees in Parfet Park come on.
The Library and the History Museum are open that evening. In the past, the Library has had a book sale, though they haven’t done that for the past couple of years. The History Museum often has someone playing on one of their antique organs. The Clear Creek History Park generally has a bonfire, has the cabins open, and is serving roasted chestnuts. The downtown stores are also open, and many of them serve refreshments and/or have live music.
We can’t have a Candlelight Walk this year, but I bet we will next year. In the meantime, enjoy the lights on your own or with your family. Tune in tonight at 7 to watch the Mayor flip the switch!
