Looking Glass and Parker Kick Off Holiday Events, Markets, Concerts
The Looking Glass community and the Town of Parker staged a burst of seasonal activity over the first week of December, with holiday markets, concerts, Santa photo opportunities and a revived home decorating contest. These events aim to concentrate foot traffic and local spending across Douglas County while giving residents chances to participate, vote and plan family outings through mid December.
Communities across Douglas County moved into the holiday season early this month as the master planned Looking Glass neighborhood hosted a string of markets, concerts and Santa photo opportunities beginning the weekend of December 4. The Downtown Parker Holiday Market drew vendors, children s activities, carriage rides and Santa to O Brien Park on December 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and performing arts programming at the PACE Center included Parker Chorale and Parker Symphony appearances on December 6 and tonight, December 7.
Among the civic additions was the return of the Parker Holidays Home Decorating Contest, which invited residents to decorate houses for the season and compete in multiple categories. Categories include Light Up the Town, for best lights or light show, Deck The Yard, for best yard display, and Best Decorated Porch, Patio or Balcony, to accommodate townhome and apartment residents. All entries also compete for the Elected Choice Award, Mayor and Town Council favorite, and the People s Choice Award, community favorite as voted on the Town s Facebook page. Entries were accepted online through 5 p.m. Friday, December 12. Judging and voting will take place December 13 to 21, and winners will be announced on the Town s Facebook page Tuesday, December 23. First place winners in judged categories and in the Elected Choice and People s Choice categories will receive commemorative yard signs. Once the entry deadline closes the Town will publish a virtual map of registered homes so neighbors can plan walks or drives to view displays.
For local businesses and vendors the concentrated schedule through December 14 creates a short, intense season for sales and exposure. Holiday markets and concert nights increase evening foot traffic for restaurants and shops near O Brien Park and the PACE Center, while vendor stalls at markets offer direct income opportunities for small entrepreneurs. For Looking Glass and other new home communities the programming also functions as place making, showcasing family friendly amenities and events that can influence buyer perceptions in a competitive housing market.
Residents planning outings should note the event window runs through December 14, with family shows and additional markets scheduled across the Denver metro area. The home decorating contest timeline gives neighbors time to register and voters time to view submissions before winners are named in late December.
