It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year in Parker!
The holiday season is upon us! Celebrate with the Town of Parker’s annual festivities and events. Join us for the Mayor’s Holiday Lighting presented by Xfinity and Swingle Lawn, Tree and Landscape Care on Friday, Nov. 25; Holiday Carriage Rides through downtown Parker between Thanksgiving and Dec. 17; and the Christmas Carriage Parade Presented by Xfinity on Saturday, Dec. 10 at noon. To learn more about these wonderful Town traditions, visit www.ParkerOnline.org/HolidayEvents.
Mayor’s Holiday Lighting – New Format and Time….Same Traditions
O’Brien Park comes alive for the holidays at the Mayor’s Holiday Lighting presented by Xfinity and Swingle Lawn, Tree and Landscape Care on Friday, Nov. 25 with the new start time of 5:30 p.m. This year’s event will begin with the Parker Chorale leading the Town Sing-a-Long to Silent Night followed by the countdown to the Town Tree and Grand Park Lighting. Once the park is lit, visitors can stroll around this festive community space to take in the sights, sounds and tastes of the holidays!
Enjoy illuminated holiday-themed ice sculpture displays and entertainment, caroling by local school choirs and tasty treats or even participate in a family-friendly scavenger hunt. Don’t forget to stop by the Town tent before your walk to pick up a program and scavenger hunt key! Make your first scavenger hunt visit with the Parker Police Department at its annual Cram the Cruiser. If you obtain enough stamps on your scavenger hunt passport, you may even win a 50-inch TV from Xfinity.
The Cram the Cruiser booth is a joint effort by the Police Department and Parker Task Force and benefits the Parker Task Force Backpack program which focuses on providing kids in need with food for the weekend. Each Friday, qualifying children pick up a backpack with food items to provide nourishment so that they are able to focus on their studies, instead of their hunger. Bring a food donation to the Police booth (single serving food items such as, packaged snacks, Mac and Cheese and breakfast bars) and receive a stamp on your scavenger hunt passport.
Visit www.ParkerOnline.org/MayorsHolidayLighting for more information.
Holiday Carriage Rides
Parker’s popular free downtown holiday carriage and wagon rides return every Saturday night between Thanksgiving and Dec. 17 from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., with a special kick-off night at the Mayor’s Holiday Lighting on Friday, Nov. 25. Two rides stations will be staged, one at the new Douglas County Libraries in Parker and another at O'Brien Park. Both are round trip, non-stop rides that travel through downtown before returning to the original destination.
All carriage and wagon rides are free to the public, although participants will be required to reserve time slots in advance. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign-up will open at 2 p.m. on the day that rides are held. Visit www.ParkerOnline.org/CarriageRides for more information and to sign up for carriage rides.
Carriage Rides are sponsored in part by Christian Brothers Automotive, Douglas County Libraries in Parker, Parker Flats and Park Sixty Four Apartments and Xfinity.
Christmas Carriage Parade Presented by Xfinity
The Town of Parker, Colorado Driving Society and Xfinity invite you to experience this well-known Parker tradition on Saturday, Dec. 10 at noon. On this festive afternoon, the streets of downtown Parker fill with families and eager children ready to see spectacular marching bands, equestrian entries and catch a glimpse of Mr. and Mrs. Claus! The 2016 parade, themed “Magic on Mainstreet,” will begin heading west on Mainstreet from Pine Drive at noon.
Spectators are encouraged to come early and stay after the parade to take in the full holiday excitement. Accompanying the parade will be holiday ice sculpting sponsored by Swingle Lawn, Tree and Landscape Care, as well as petting zoo and pony rides, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Home for the Holidays Winter Market will also be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Santa will be in Town for this great event and will be available for pictures in a different location this year. Visit Santa inside the new Douglas County Libraries in Parker from 1 to 3 p.m. Kneaders Bakery and Café will provide milk and cookies to those who eagerly wait for Santa! Make sure to take a peek around the new library while you are there and plan to experience story time or holiday crafts sponsored by Douglas County Libraries in Parker. Santa’s appearance is sponsored by Huntington Learning Center.
Many thanks to the generous sponsors that help make this event possible: Colorado Driving Society; Parker Trail Riders; Xfinity; Huntington Learning Center; Kneaders; Swingle Lawn, Tree and Landscape Care; Parker Station Professional Offices; Douglas County Libraries in Parker; Escalade Financial Partners; and Spradlin Printing. A special thank you to our Town Partners: Christian Brothers Automotive and Huntington Learning Center.
Parade spectators are asked to remember that Mainstreet and Victorian Roads will be closed on the day of the parade from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and individuals parked within these limits will not be able to exit until the roads are reopened. Parking outside of these limits is advised. Please visit ww.ParkerOnline.org/CarriageParade for maps and more information or call 303.805.3253.
The Town looks forward to celebrating these honored traditions with you and your family!