Pandemic-Cancelled Festivals Making a Rebound in Teller County This Fall and Winter

Trevor Phipps

It is now official: Fall has arrived.

But fret not, even though the weather will be cooling down, there are still some lively events in store for Teller County and the high country region. And since there are no pandemic-related restrictions in place, several major events that didn’t take place last year will be returning for 2021.

 

If the current trend remains, the holidays this year should look more normal as Christmas parties and trick or treating will make a big return.

Another festivity that will be returning this year are the parades. The Woodland Park High School Homecoming Parade and the Lighter Side of Christmas will both be returning after taking a break for 2020.

The first big celebration that will take place this fall is the Woodland Park High School’s famous homecoming week. And, this year the celebrations will be more like what they were pre-pandemic.

 

The school’s homecoming week this year is slated for the week of Oct. 4-8. The parade will take place on the Wednesday (Oct. 6) before the big game.

 

The parade starts at 6 p.m. and will run on Oct. 6 through downtown Woodland Park and end at the Ute Pass Cultural Center. After the parade, students, alumni, and residents will be welcomed to the Woodland Park Middle School for the annual homecoming bonfire.

 

Then on October 8, the Panthers’ homecoming game will take place with the kickoff at 7 p.m. This year, the Panthers will take on the Salida Spartans for their homecoming audience. And, hopefully, fans will see their home team get a big win and play a dominate role on both sides of the ball. Salida has yet to win a game this year.

 

The next big time for celebration in the high country will be Halloween. Costume parties for the adults and trick-or-treating for the kids will both be making a big return. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the city of Cripple Creek will be hosting its big Trunk or Treat Event at their Parks and Recreation building at 128 E. Bennett Ave.

 

Then, on Dec. 4 Woodland Park’s famous Lighter Side of Christmas parade will be back after missing a year. This year’s theme will be “Season’s Readings” where participants will celebrate the characters and stories in their favorite books.

 

Every year the city’s Christmas parade draws a huge crowd. And this year, all of their usual holiday events, such as the tree lighting and crazy hat contest, will be coming back.

 

During that same weekend on Dec. 4 and 5, several businesses will be celebrating holiday décor at Woodland Park’s Holiday Home Tour. This event has taken place every year since 1999. People travel from all over the Southern Colorado region to tour decorated homes in the Woodland Park area.

Also, for theater-goers, don’t miss a showing of Haunting at the Old Homestead, at the Butte Theater.

Thin Air Theatre Company will “scare you silly” with this year’s fall production from the warped mind of Chris Sorensen. When a spirit starts scaring off clients of Cripple Creek’s favorite brothel, The Old Homestead, Madam Pearl de Vere offers a hefty reward to anyone who can rid her house of the ghost. On a dark & stormy night (of course it would be dark & stormy) three of the unlikeliest ghost-busters turn up to answer her call. Steeped in mystery, history, thrills & chills… not to mention plenty of laughs, this show promises to be a Halloween treat for the whole family. Performances, held at the Butte Theater in Cripple Creek, kick off on Oct. 1 and continue through Oct. 30. For more information, call 719-689-6402

For other southern Teller favorites, next weekend will mark the final time for the self-guided wo Mile High Aspen Tour, leaving from the Heritage Center. Other highlights in the Cripple Creek/Victor district include the Holiday Headframe Lighting tour and Gold Camp Christmas.