Last year, Adelaide Sakanai, 4, was brave enough to sit on Santa's lap for the first time at Wheat Ridge's annual holiday celebration.
Now, it's one of her favorite parts of the event, said her mom, Katie Sakanai, who brought along all her children to this year's festivities.
Dow Villeneuve came with his wife, Colleen, and daughters Adele, 5, and Miriam, 7.
"We like being part of the community," he said. "The girls really like the horse rides."
Wheat Ridge residents kicked off the holiday season Dec. 3 with the city's fifth annual Holiday Celebration on the Ridge at 38.
People jumped on hayrides in a horse-drawn wagon, saw reindeer up close, listened to local groups perform holiday tunes, bought Christmas crafts and --; of course --; visted with Santa Claus.
"This our official opening of the holiday season in Wheat Ridge," Mayor Joyce Jay said in closing remarks just before turning on the lights for the Christmas tree on the lawn between Stevens Elementary School and Wheat Ridge Cyclery on 38th Street.
The celebration is a cooperative event by the city of Wheat Ridge and Wheat Ridge Localworks, a nonprofit organization of citizens engaged in shaping and sustaining the community.
"It's a community event to bring everybody together," said Sara Spaulding, the city's public information officer.
New this year was the Wheat Ridge Business Association auctioning pre-decorated trees. With sponsorship and bids, seven trees collected $2,300 for the Ralston House, which protects children from abusive situations.
After the mayor's remarks, Frosty the Snowman flipped the switch to turn on the Christmas tree lights.
From the main stage on the lawn in front of Wheat Ridge Cyclery, Jay took a moment to reflect on the year and look forward.
"I can't tell you enough how pleased and excited I am about Wheat Ridge right now," Jay said. "We have had a great 2016, and you're going to start seeing what all has occurred because of it shortly after the first of the year in 2017."
She thanked voters for approving ballot issue 2E last month. The half-cent sales tax will be used for improvements to Anderson Park, widening Wadsworth Boulevard from 35th Avenue to I-70, making improvements to and around the Ward Commuter Rail Station and working on I-70 ramps to relieve traffic congestion into Clear Creek Crossing, a mixed-use development at 38th and Youngfield streets.
Jay also announced the former Ford dealership building near 38th Street and Wadsworth Boulevard would be demolished in early 2017 to make way for "The Corners at Wadsworth" shopping and housing development. She also said more housing and retail would be built along 38th Street.
"With all of that excitement," Jay said, "it makes me --; even though it's a little bit of a frosty night --; it makes me feel warm inside ...."
The annual holiday celebration was moved to its current location when the city was branding Ridge at 38 and wanted to hold more events there, economic development manager Steve Art said.
"It really is the heart of the city ... our central business core," Art said. And the celebration has "turned out to be a huge success."
from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Wheat-Ridge-event-brings-community-together,240158
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