Courtesy photos Volunteers gathered Saturday at Basham Park in Creede to begin decorating the town and creating a Colorado winter wonderland. The town will be hosting the annual Chocolate Festival on Nov. 25 and 26 with a Parade of Lights and a lighting ceremony on the evening of Nov. 26.

CREEDE — Several business owners, the City of Creede and volunteers from all walks of life showed up at Basham Park in Creede on Saturday, Nov. 12, to begin decorating the town for the coming holiday season.

The town has planned to turn it into a winter wonderland with the help of local organizations, businesses and residents, and will be hosting a variety of events beginning Nov. 26 through Christmas.

The goal is to light up Creede and make it a holiday destination for the San Luis Valley and beyond. These efforts began last year and since there was a decent turnout and several participants, the holiday committee members felt it was time to turn it up a notch and really make a holiday show.

The holiday committee is seeking participants to help plan for the coming event that will feature contests, holiday markets and more.

The city will be lighting up public areas and is encouraging local businesses and residents to do the same. There will be cash prizes for participants in both business and residential lighting contest categories and local youth will be the judges. The lighting displays need to be up by the evening of Nov. 26. There will be a Parade of Lights beginning at 4 p.m. and ending with a city-wide lighting event after the end of the annual Chocolate Festival.

In addition to the lighting contest, the committee would like to host a holiday market with vendors and local businesses setting up tents outside to offer their goods to shoppers. The plan is to block off Main Street from Wall Street to the county courthouse for three full days on Dec. 10, 17, and 23, so that there can be plenty of space and opportunity for business to spread out. There will also be caroling, warm beverages and sweet treats.

Markets will be held on the above days from 1 to 5 p.m. so that people attending can see the Christmas lights later in the evenings. There will also be a parade on each of these days, beginning with the theme of Toyland. The other parade themes include Decembers Market from around the world designed by Creede School students and a church-related theme that will be announced as details become available.

There will be another chance to help decorate the town on Saturday, Nov. 19. Volunteers are asked to meet at Basham Park at noon.

The annual Chocolate Festival will be on Friday, Nov. 25, and Saturday, Nov. 26. Tickets can be purchased at the Creede and Mineral County Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit www.creede.com or by calling 719-658-2374.