A weekend full of old-time holiday fun is coming, organized by the Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce. Retailers are putting up the lights, setting out the chili and the chocolate, preparing for carolers and crafts, parade floats and hot soaks, the Christmas Tree lighting and visits with Santa! Whether you live locally, or on the Front Range and just love to visit your favorite mountain town – this is a winter weekend to set your sights on an Buena Vista Christmas memories.
Chaffee County Fire Truck decked out in holiday lights for the 2018 Buena Vista Christmas Parade. Photo by Henry Dekam.
Holiday events kick off at 9 a.m. on Sat. Dec. 7, with the Chocolate Walk along South, East and West Main Street. Shoppers can pick up their playing card for $1.00 at the Buena Vista Community Center between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on December 7, then spend the day visiting the nearly 30 participating local businesses, each one with chocolate treats for cardholding visitors, getting their cards stamped.
Participating retailers are also doing special offers for Chocolate Walk participants. Completed cards returned to the Welcome Center by Monday, December 9 will be entered to win prizes.
For more info about the Chocolate Walk follow this link.
Chocolate isn’t the only treat for visitors. Musicians will be playing holiday music throughout East Main and South Main and strolling carolers will add to the atmosphere. Kids can get free photos with Santa at the Community Center between 1 and 4 p.m., as well as participate in other fun events and performances for kiddos and their families.
First Colorado Land Office will be sponsoring an afternoon showing of the movie ‘The Star’ at the Community Center, and invites parents to drop off their kids for the show, while parents do some holiday shopping.
Courtesy photo.
The Holiday Craft Fair is in a new location this year – at the Ivy Ballroom at the Surf Hotel. Shoppers can browse unique artisan crafts that will be on sale, while enjoying a youth violin group playing for the crowds. At 1 p.m. those present can watch the third annual Polar Plunge, sponsored by CKS – as hearty participants take a shivery plunge into the Arkansas River below the hotel.
Then at 5:15 the Parade of Lights begins along South Main to the lighting of the Community Tree at Optimist Park. Participation in the parade is open to all: businesses, non-profits, churches, schools, neighborhoods, horses and carriages are all welcome to enter the parade with a float, bike or illuminated idea.
Parade participants meet and queue at the south parking area in South Main St. and sign a waiver. Parade queue will start at 4:30pm. ” Organize your neighborhood, business, street center, church or school or family to join the celebration with your illuminated group,” invites the Chamber of Commerce in their event materials.
The Chamber is urging everyone along the parade route to join or merge with the Parade of Lights as it passes you to meet at the East Main St. Community Tree Lighting (Optimist Splash Park). Then following the parade, Santa will be on hand to recite ’twas the Night Before Christmas’ and light the tree for the Town after the parade.
Other Holiday Festival Highlights:
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Festival of Trees – Buena Vista Community Center 715 E. Main St.
10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Local Holiday Craft Fair – Ivy Ballroom at The Surf Hotel 1012 Front Loop
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Chaffee Arts Art Under the Cupola – Free Drop-in Christmas Card Making for the kids, The Heritage Museum 511 E. Main St.
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Holiday Violin Performances – E. Main St.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. National Forest Christmas Tree Permits – Buena Vista Community Center 715 E. Main St.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sip, Sample & Shop Open House – Stedman’s (inside Shell Station) 227 US Hwy 24
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Vulcan Glass Blowing Demonstration – Buena Vista Public Library 131 Linderman Ave.
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. FREE Hayride Shuttle – East, West and South Main St.
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Julie Sebastian & Sarah Kites Caroling – in front of Simple Eatery 402 E. Main St.
11:15 – 1:15 p.m. Everyday Uses for Essential Oils Workshop– emPower Yoga 301 E. Main St.
12 – 1 p.m. Free Power Yoga Basics Yoga Class- emPower Yoga 301 E. Main St.
12 p.m. and 12:40 p.m. Chime Time: Two Showings- Buena Vista Community Center 715 E. Main St.
12:30 – 1:30 p.m. 3rd Annual Polar Plunge, benefiting Toys for Tykes- at The River Park Main Street.
1 – 4 p.m. Free Santa Photos – Sponsored by Coldwell Banker Collegiate Peaks Realty, Buena Vista Community Center 715 E. Main St.
12:40 p.m. Arts & Crafts with the Girl Scouts – Buena Vista Community Center 715 E. Main St.
3:15 – 4:30 p.m. FREE Movie “The Star” – A nativity story sponsored by First Colorado Land Office. Buena Vista Community Center 715 E. Main St.
1 – 4 p.m. Buena Vista Circus Performances – Buena Vista Community Center 715 E. Main St.
1 – 4 p.m. Buena Vista Dance Studio Performances – Buena Vista Community Center 715 E. Main St.
4 – 5 p.m. Strolling Carolers on East Main – East Main St.
5:00 – 6:15 p.m. Parade of Lights Warm Up Station with Free Hot Cocoa – BV Square/emPower Yoga
5:15 – 6:00 p.m. Parade of Lights – South Main to Optimist Splash Park
6 p.m. Community Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa Recital
For more detail about the Buena Vista Christmas Opening go to: https://www.buenavistacolorado.org/BV-Christmas-Opening/
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