I had always understood that the Candlelight Walk began in 1987. Last night, I looked back at the Golden Transcripts from that year to see whether the event was essentially the same as it is today. It wasn't! There were several separate events that, together, were similar to things we do now, but they lacked an essential element to make it a Candlelight Walk...the Walk part.
1987
At 6:45PM on December 3, 1987, "the first-ever lighting of the trees along the mile-long Clear Creek corridor, a sight promising to be spectacular" occurred. Fifteen minutes later, at 7PM, the "Golden Festival of Lights" began when the large evergreen across the street from Foothills Art Center was lighted. That event also included hot apple cider, Christmas caroling, and a visit from Santa. Some of the downtown merchants were giving away stocking stuffers.
How did the crowd get from the 6:45 Creek lighting to the 7PM tree lighting at Foothills Art Center, then back to visit the stores along Washington Avenue? They must have had to hustle!
Improving the Traffic Pattern
By 1988, I found that the order of events was more recognizable. The crowd was encouraged to gather at 15th and Washington at 6PM to light the big tree.
The crowd will proceed down Washington Avenue in a mini-parade, escorted by the Golden Police Department, and to the holiday sounds of the high school band and carolers. Santa will lead the crowd, riding in a horse-drawn wagon....
The parade will wind down to Clear Creek for the lighting of the city lights. Santa will be available to kids on Washington Avenue from 7 to 9 p.m. and all the shops are planning to stay open until 9 p.m.
Dorothy Akal—who wrote the Avenue Flashes column at that time—marveled at the beauty of the sight, and thanked the volunteers who had made it possible. "It's so incredible because stringing the lights were people like the 'guy next door,' not a talented group of artists planning for a gala Christmas display."
With prescience, she added:
I have the feeling that this is definitely developing into Golden's own symbol of Christmas. Just as people look forward to the lighting display at the City and County Building in Denver, they will be looking forward to a stroll down "Fairyland Lane" in Golden. It's simple, effective and so in tune with nature. Thanks again, Golden, for this unobtrusive reminder that the spirit of Christmas is renewed again.
Golden Transcript - December 8, 1988
I'm not sure I've ever gone to Denver to see their City and County Building. Why would I, when I live in Golden?
In recent years, tens of thousands of people have participated. They still meet at 15th and Washington, near Foothills Art Center. Led by Santa Claus and his wife, the group walks slowly down the hill, holding candles and 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 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. Many of the stores along Washington Avenue have refreshments and some have live music.
It's the most enchanting night of the year in Golden.
