The tree lighting in Idaho Springs ushers in the Christmas season

Idaho Springs Mayor Chuck Harmon stood near the switch that would light a live evergreen tree at Citizens Park in downtown Idaho Springs that will serve as the city’s Christmas tree this holiday season.

Harmon was joined at center stage by Santa Claus in his red and white coat, hat and long white beard.

The dozens of children who had previously run around the park screaming and laughing as they chased each other with balloon swords, candy cane hats and wands gathered around the tree and the magic switch to spread their holiday spirit. Harmon said it was necessary to light the tree.

The countdown began as the children shouted “Three, two, one!”

With that, the switch was flipped and hundreds of lights came to life in red, blue and white colors, illuminating the Christmas tree on the dark, cool night of November 30th.

The children screamed and laughed while the adults hugged family and friends and smiled at the lights – then the tree went dark and the children let out a collective “Ahhh.”

Apparently confused by the very short light show, Harmon consulted Santa Claus and the two came up with a solution to the problem.

“Apparently we need more Christmas spirit,” Harmon told the children.

The countdown started again, and this time the children were louder and many more adults in the crowd joined in.

Sure enough, the bright lights strung around the tree lit up the park, and the children screamed again and the adults smiled for about ten seconds before the lights went out again.

“OK, OK, now I know there’s enough Christmas spirit in this crowd to light this tree and keep the lights on, so we’ll try again, but we really need to get everyone in the Christmas spirit,” Harmon told the crowd .

The third time around, the efforts apparently paid off, as the lights came on and stayed on, much to everyone’s delight.

“They were on, then they were gone. Then they went on and off again. “Now it’s really starting,” one child from the group was heard telling his friends.

The lighting of the Christmas tree was the highlight of a day of events in downtown Idaho Springs dubbed the “Holiday Ramble.”

Locals and tourists explored the historic downtown, where merchants’ shops are decorated with wreaths and fairy lights.

“It’s super nice, we come here all the time to visit our family. “Idaho Springs can seem very touristy at times, it’s cool to make it more local and community oriented,” said Drea Mabie of Steamboat.

A seemingly endless line of children formed in front of the “Magic Rob” booth, where Idaho Springs-based magician Rob Hansen tied intricate balloon figures.

Red and white balloons were twisted together into candy canes and a red hat and white beard made from balloons that fit perfectly as a Santa hat. Hansen just kept smiling and joking with the crowd as he tied balloons for hours.

Parents took photos of their children next to “Prancer,” a five-year-old reindeer from Laughing Valley Ranch in Idaho Springs. Prancer quietly enjoyed the attention.

Christmas carols could be heard throughout downtown as a quartet of Central City Opera carolers walked the streets in period costume, some carrying tablets in lieu of sheet music.

“Christmas brings back nostalgia and childhood memories. “Returning to the classic Christmas songs we all know, returning to a charming small town like this and lighting a tree that brings the whole city together just brings joy back,” said Central City opera singer Jerome Sibulo.

People stopped to listen and take short clips on their cell phones in the scenic vacation setting of downtown Idaho Springs.

“They will stop and listen, and they really enjoy hearing live music,” said Lauren Black of Central City Opera.

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