Colorado Explorer

Equine Parade, Buena Vista
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Small-town holiday celebrations

By Linda DuVal

Colorado's major cities celebrate the holidays with parades and countless other special events. But some of Colorado's smaller cities and towns also celebrate in a big way. Here are a few festivities worth considering.

Yonder star

If you're looking for that Norman Rockwell moment, look no further than Castle Rock. At 5 p.m. on Nov. 22, there will be a ceremony to light the giant star on the namesake rock perched above town. Hot chocolate, carolers and a visit from Santa will round out the event. 303-688-4597.

Catch the Glow

Estes Park ushers in its holiday season with "Catch the Glow," a celebration that includes hay rides, pony rides, carolers, costumed characters, Santa and his elves and plenty of shopping, all on Nov. 28. A lighted parade starts at 5:30 p.m. 800-44-ESTES or 970-577-9900.

A slew of Santas

In Ouray, a cherished local tradition began on Christmas Eve in the 1920s, when some members of the Ouray Elks Lodge came across a family's broken-down wagon on Camp Bird Road. The Elks found shelter for the family and rounded up gifts and treats for the worried children, who were afraid Santa Claus wouldn't find them. It has become an annual event, with dozens of Santas deployed each Christmas Eve to bestow small gifts on local children and those staying at local motels. There is no cost, but a week's advance notice is needed. 970-325-4510.

World's tallest Christmas tree

The lighting of "Christmas Mountain" in Salida takes place on the Friday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 28. Locals string lights on the mountainside to make it look like a giant Christmas tree with ornaments-thus, "the world's tallest Christmas tree." There's also a Santa parade, caroling and decorated trees in Riverside Park. 877-772-5432.

Giant greetings

In Buena Vista, they kick off the holidays the first weekend of December with Christmas Card Lane. Giant Christmas cards will line U.S. Highway 24. There's also a Western equine parade-horses with bells and red ribbons ridden by local cowboys and cowgirls. 719-395-6612.

Gunnison's Night of Lights

Downtown Gunnison heralds the holiday season with the Night of Lights on Dec. 5. Lighting competitions, including one for snowmobiles, kayaks, skis and snowboards, fill Main Street. Bonfires blaze for toasting marshmallows and there's live entertainment and food vendors. Santa arrives at 6:30 p.m. and escorts the crowd to the lighting of a massive decorated pine tree. The Gunnison Arts Center hosts an open house with refreshments. 800-274-7580.

A Carousel Christmas

"Christmas at the Carousel" will take you for a whirl on Dec. 7 at Carousel Park on the Kit Carson County Fairgrounds in Burlington. Everyone gets to ride the historic 1905 carousel for free, and the carousel and museum building will be dressed in holiday finery. Hot cider and homemade cookies will be served. 719-348-5562.

Linda DuVal is a freelance writer and former travel editor for The Gazette in Colorado Springs.