Welcome Everyone who Believes in the Spirit of an Olde Fashioned Christmas. The Town of Palisade and the Palisade Chamber of Commerce invite everyone to join us for the 10th Annual Olde Fashioned Christmas celebration to be held on December 5th in Palisade. There will be activities for young and old. Something about this time of year brings out the kid in all of us.
The whole town is decorating and planning for an experience that will take you out of the hustle and bustle to enjoy holiday magic with all the sights, sounds, tastes and easy shopping. Visitors will find holiday shopping a pleasure with the combination of over 40 vendor booths with the unique and appealing shops in Palisade. Plan on spending the weekend with us shopping, sampling soups, singing carols, showing off antique cars, sharing a carriage ride, learning about the history, spreading good cheer, and savoring the flavor of Palisade!
It all begins on Friday evening, December 4th at 5pm with caroling by the Taylor Elementary Serenadors as they march up Main Street to the Town Plaza to light the town plaza tree. Warm up with hot cocoa and coffee on the plaza or purchase a cup of soup from Altrusia’s Cup of Warmth at the Slice of Life Bakery. The Light Parade will follow with floats and music and lots of holiday lights. The rumor is Santa may stop by too!
Saturday morning we begin the festivities at 9am at the Wine Country Inn with a breakfast buffet with Santa. Santa has promised not to eat all the pancakes. Those are his favorite. Tickets for the event are at palisadecoc.com.
After breakfast stop downtown for all the Festivities from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Plan to drop your Gingerbread Creation at the community center between 7:30 am and 9:30 am. Dixie Burmeister says, “The magic of an Olde Fashioned Christmas is certainly enhanced by the centuries old tradition of Gingerbread houses, cookies, and of all things gingerbread. The evidence is in the smiles, the looks of amazement and joy shown by all who enter and all who come to enjoy the creativity and experience the world of Gingerbread at Palisades Olde Fashioned Christmas.” A very special workshop will be downstairs at the Showcase. Gingerbread house cookies made by Community Hospital Executive Chef, Karl Stephens, will be ready for the kids to decorate and take home with them as a gift.
Lots of opportunities to shop with vendors and craftsman at the Old Gym, downtown and at the Palisade High School. Shuttles provided by Hilltop with be ready to take you around town to all the stops. And if a bit of nostalgia is preferred take the trip in an open wagon ride with Clarks Family Orchard.
Kids can bring their Christmas letters to Santa’s Workshop sponsored by Palisade Coop Country Store held at the Canyon View Vineyard Church space on the corner of 3rd and Main. The elves from the PHS Student Council will be helping the kids make an ornament to take home. Be sure to get to the library for storytelling! As for moms & dads, guided historical walking tours will be held at 10:30am & 12:30pm starting at the Historical Society office for a small donation.
Let me remind you of the delicious tastes at the Soup Challenge with area chefs showcasing their special soup creations from 1pm – 3pm in the plaza. The winners will be announced about 3:30 on stage. Nine area chefs will be competing for your vote as the Best Soup in Town.
A beautiful Cantata will be done at the Methodist Church at 1pm, after which you can walk next door to the Seventh Day Adventist Church to view the world collection of Nativity sets. Coordinator. Lynn Nicolay says, “Come and see twenty-some Nativity Sets from around the world that reflect the cultural influences of each region.” The sets come from private collections and have been in many families for years.
The Steering Committee wishes to thank all our sponsors and volunteers who help us bring this holiday tradition to the community. Special thanks to the Town of Palisade, Sutherlands, Community Hospital and Hilltop for their support and to Ardin Blatter for her decorating expertise.
For more information, tickets and complete schedule go to www.palisadecoc.com or call 970.464.7458.