CREEDE — The picturesque small mountain town of Creede is gearing up for the coming holiday season and has set some dates for the annual Chocolate Festival and the second annual Holiday in Creede. Creede is preparing to pull out all the stops and plans to transform into a winter wonderland for the holidays.
Thanks to the efforts of several local businesses and organizations the Holiday in Creede was a huge success last year. The market features local vendors, artists, local businesses, local food, and entertainment, including holiday productions by Creede Repertory Theatre. This combined with the atmosphere of the small mountain town creates the perfect holiday setting with old holiday market flair.
Beginning with the annual Creede Chocolate Festival on Nov. 24 and 25, the town will be kicking off a month of holiday festivities in December. The festival goes from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day and the annual Parade of Lights will be on Friday night, Nov. 24, at 5 p.m. and run-down Main Street.
The annual event brings the best of Creede to the forefront, challenging participants to make a unique chocolate treat to share with ticket holders for two days. Rules for the event are simple, the treat must contain chocolate, carob, white chocolate, or cocoa and must be homemade.
Visitors must purchase tickets at the Creede and Mineral County Chamber of Commerce for the event and are asked to vote for their favorites by the end of each day. During the two-day period, guests can wander through downtown Creede’s many shops and vendors that will be open and ready for holiday shoppers.
After the Chocolate Festival, there are still several opportunities to enjoy the charming downtown holiday decorations and take part in the Holiday in Creede markets that will be held on Dec. 9 and Dec. 16 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Each market will feature children’s activities, vendors for holiday shopping, adult beverages allowed within the boundaries of the market near Basham Park, and entertainment from Eliana Joy Jay Trio thanks to the Creede Musical Arts Collective.
The Creede Repertory Theatre will also be hosting a production of “Jacob Marley’s A Christmas Carol” throughout December.
To sign up as a vendor, email creedefarmersmarket@gmail.com or to volunteer to help set up decorations, follow Creede Holiday Festivities on Facebook for dates and locations.
