With a Christmas tree lighting, wagon rides and even a pop up art show, the downtown area of Laramie provides a festive venue to celebrate the season with friends.
These events are put on by Downtown Laramie and have become more and more popular over the last five years. These holiday traditions as a way to introduce community members and new comers to the historic district that is downtown Laramie. For many years now Downtown Laramie hosts a holiday parade and tree lighting the first Friday in December. “We gather around the fire pit in the First Street Plaza, drink hot chocolate, sing carols and ‘plug in’ the Christmas tree,” said Trey Sherwood the director of the Laramie Main Street Alliance, “then we watch the parade floats go down Second Street.”
There are other fun holiday festivities that take place throughout the month of December, according to the Downtown Laramie website. These events include giving children the opportunity to write letters to Santa and receive a response, the annual window display contest, Photos and Pancakes with Santa, Wagon rides and many more. Wagon rides are offered every Saturday of December from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and are free, but canned good donations are appreciated.
Not only are these events introducing individuals to the unique historic district of Downtown Laramie, the community members and organizations are giving back.
“A lot of community comes together to put this event on. Big Brothers Big Sisters donates the hot chocolate. The Saint Lawrence Children’s Choir sings carols. The City of Laramie Parks and Rec department puts up the lights,” said Sherwood on behalf of the tree lighting event this Friday. Sherwood also said how rewarding it is to be a part of a community that is willing to volunteer their time and resources to make these events happen.
A new addition to these traditions is a pop up art show, “Art for the Holidays,” that is in an empty space downtown and was put together by local Laramie artists. This event will be held this Friday as well and will consist of art for the holidays and hot chocolate.
“I think university students would really enjoy the pop up art show, as it gives them access to a unique apartment downtown and the ability to meet and greet or network with local artists in the community,” said Sherwood, “and, it’s a great time to pick up a holiday gift!”
A list of the holiday events offered by Downtown Laramie can be found on their website at www.laramiemainstreet.org and will also be posted on the Facebook page. If anyone is interested in volunteering to help with the upcoming event of the tree lighting or walk in the holiday parade Downtown Laramie can be contacted at downtownlaramie@gmail.com.
