WHAT’S HAPPENING IN GOLDEN TODAY?
9-11AM Golden Elf Academy @ Golden Mill – sold out
9:30-11:30AM Full Walking Tour @ Dinosaur Ridge
10AM-3PM Brunch at the Rose @ Buffalo Rose
11AM Pilates Discovery Class @ Connect Physical Therapy and Pilates
12-2:30PM Craft Day @ Mines Museum
12-5PM Holiday Art Market @ Foothills Art Center
12-4PM Shakedown Street Art Market @ Over Yonder
12-5PM 5th Annual Holiday Market @ Mountain Toad
1-3PM The Journey to Christmas @ First United Methodist Church
2PM The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical @ Miners Alley Performing Arts Center
2PM A Christmas Story @ Miners Alley Playhouse
SEE THE COMPLETE CALENDAR OF EVENTS.
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LIVE MUSIC
11AM-2PM Derek Hall @ Buffalo Rose (Sky Bar Stage)
2PM Philharmonic Orchestra Fall Concert @ Colorado School of Mines
2PM Dave Frisk @ Dirty Dogs Roadhouse
2-5PM Andre LaMotte @ Golden Mill
4-7PM Chuck Fisher @ Buffalo Rose (Sky Bar Stage)
8PM Karaoke @ Ace Hi Tavern
GOLDEN HISTORY MOMENT
74 Years Ago
The Welcome Arch was built in 1949. Originally, “Welcome to Golden” was outlined in neon. People were excited about the new landmark, and the 1100 block of Washington Avenue immediately became the visual center of the City. The Chamber had spearheaded the arch, and as Christmas approached, they wanted to make the arch the focal point of the seasonal celebrations. They decided that Santa and his reindeer were just what we needed.
The December 1st Colorado Transcript described the plans for the big event, scheduled for December 3rd:
The jolly ol’ fella, Santa Claus, will arrive early in Golden this year–Saturday evening, December 3, at exactly 8 o’clock! Yes sir, he’s coming in from the north in a beautiful Buick convertible with a chauffeur. And Santa Claus Lane (Washington Avenue) will be all ready to receive him at the “Howdy Folks!” Welcome arch. The old boy’s sleigh will be mounted atop the arch with six beautiful reindeer all hitched and ready to go.
Santa’ll climb the arch, get into his sleigh and read letters to the kids over a loud speaker. He’ll be in beautiful surroundings, for Santa Claus Lane will be bright! There’ll be garlands and bells, silvery tinsel, and evergreen. There’ll be Christmas lights all along the avenue. Merchants’ stores will be open, displaying beautiful merchandise, dazzling windows. All lights will be turned on!
Colorado Transcript, December 1, 1949
The following week’s article described the event. (By that time, they had realized that the sleigh was fairly two-dimensional, and Santa couldn’t actually climb in.)
Santa Claus arrived at 8 o’clock at the Welcome Arch, looked up at his prized reindeer and sleigh, and greeting the kiddies in his usual jovial mood.
Colorado Transcript, December 8, 1949
That article went on to say that the Golden Kiwanis club constructed the sleigh and reindeer, Craig-Frederick Chevrolet painted it, and Adolph Coors paid for the electrical transformers that helped illuminate it.
Thanks to the Golden History Museum for providing the online cache of historic Transcripts, and to the Golden Transcript for documenting our history since 1866!
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DECEMBER SPONSORS: Buffalo Rose, Buglet Solar, Foothills Art Center, Golden City Brewery, Golden Cultural Alliance, Golden History Museum, Golden Super Cruise, Miners Alley Playhouse, The Golden Mill, Golden Chamber of Commerce, Golden History Tours, Morris & Mae Market, Miners Saloon, Joy and Jack Brandt, Tom Reiley
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Ongoing Monthly Supporters:
Tall Pines Painting, Baby Doe’s Clothing, Golden Community Garden, Carol & Doug Harwood, Jennings & Litz, Bill Fisher, Brian Quarnstrom, Casey & Gina Brown, Cheryl & Tom Schweich, Robert Storrs, Karen Smith, Sandy Curran, Paul Haseman, Michele Sannes, Kathy Smith, Crystal Culbert, Pat Madison, Donna Anderson, Ann Pattison, Carol & Don Cameron, Tom Hughes, Emeline Paulson, Susan Gray, David Smith, Karen Oxman, Laura King & Scott Wilson, Bill Sedgeley, Mariane Erickson, Carol Abel, Dot & Eric Brownson, Ann Norton & Jonathan Storer, Deb Goeldner, Rosemary Coffman, Jim & LouAnne Dale, Francine Butler, Elaine Marolla, Dixie Termin & Ron Miller, John & Andi Pearson, Chris Ball, Tom Hoffman, Patrick & Lisa Vitry, Alice Madison & Jim Kalivas, Lora Haimes, Nancy & Carlos Bernal, and Stephanie Painter, Holly Thomas
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