The 17th Annual Tommyknocker Holidays Coming Soon
The Tommyknocker Holiday tradition began for the City of Central in 1998 as a Winter Festival sponsored by Celebrate Central City. It followed the tradition of the former Wintershire Festivals held in Central City previous years prior to gaming. The Tommyknocker Holiday festivities are now sponsored by Central City Local Events, City of Central, a group of residents, businesses and Casinos that bring activities to the area to promote Heritage Tourism for the District.
This year sees the 17th Annual Tommyknocker Holiday Week Festivities begin with the Gilpin School Children’s Parade and Party. On Thursday, December 4th, about 230 elementary children and their teachers and sponsors with their handmade ornaments gather at the City Tree about 1:45 p.m. and proudly place their handmade treasures on the City’s Live Tree. The tree which is located across from City Hall on Nevada Street will be adorned with festive colored lights and the delightful decorations made by the school children.
Victorian dressed, Father Christmas, Ken Porter, will lead the children down Main Street toward the Famous Teller House, 120 Eureka Street, where they will gather for a party of professional storytelling by Diane Whitman, entertainment and refreshments. This year the Gilpin Middle School Choir will offer holiday melodies. As the children leave, they each will receive a gift, cookies and candies from their hostesses, the Central City Ladies Elk Auxiliary and members of Celebrate Central City. Other sponsors include Ermels Emporium, Gilpin County Education Foundation and Century Hotel and Casino.
On Friday, December 5th, community citizens, town leaders and guests will gather at the City Tree for the Mayor Ron Engels’ official lighting of the Tree at 6:30 p.m. A candle walk with carol singing lead by the Peak to Peak Chorale will follow down Main Street to the Teller House. A fabulous community pot-luck dinner will begin about 6:45 p.m. Gilpin County is well known for its ‘best cooks in the Richest Square Mile on Earth.’ The Peak to Peak Chorale will give its first performance of the holiday season about 7:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, December 6th and 7th, from 10 a.m. to
4 p.m., crafters, vendors and entertainers will present their wares and talents during the Bazaar, which will be decorated in Victorian motif. There will be a Children’s Coloring Contest and a Cookie Decorating activity for the young ones. Local Girl Scouts and musicians will perform during the Bazaar hours.
Many well known vendors will return: Moss Rock Enterprises, Thurston Woods, Carriage House Dreams, Scandicrafts, Handknit by Lynn, Nani Creations, Smashed hard Jelly, Mountain Tom Inages, Sugar Blossom, Leonard’s Crafts, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Nani Creations, and Origami Owl. The Central City Opera Boutique and the Gilpin Historical Society & Museums will have a wide selection of books and resources of area authors, Central City and Black Hawk history and general Colorado Historical photos and books. Opera memorabilia is abundant.
Holiday music will be heard throughout the Victorian Decorated Teller House. Come join us for a weekend of fun and nostalgia.
For more information Contact 303-582-5919
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
