Cheyenne is kicking off its holiday season on November 21 with a restructured downtown celebration designed to dodge harsh Wyoming winter weather and boost local retailers.
This year, harsh weather conditions that regularly threaten firefly lights and deter crowds have prompted civic organizers to rearrange the schedule and introduce a new event, the Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported.
Harsh Wyoming weather leading into December has historically posed challenges for the kickoff, with freezing temperatures and high winds putting plaza lights at risk.
Jim Walter, president and CEO of Visit Cheyenne, explained that the changes also aim to cement the city’s identity as a western destination by honoring its past while supporting downtown business owners.
“Part of being an authentic Western destination is remembering and honoring our history and our past. …”
The evening of November 21 will feature three distinct events: the Holiday Night Market, Lighting the Legacy, and the Cheyenne Depot Plaza Lighting Ceremony. The traditional Christmas Parade is scheduled for its own night on November 28.
During Lighting the Legacy, the Mounted Marshals will ride to the 35 bronze statues stationed at Capitol Avenue intersections, placing a wreath on each one. Summer Houghton, lead assistant for the Mounted Marshals, explained on Facebook that riders will briefly share the history behind each statue.
The evening’s capstone is the official tree lighting at the Cheyenne Depot Plaza, which required a crane to install due to its size. Families can also have their pictures taken with Santa by his elves in the plaza, according to Jason Sanchez, director of Cheyenne Community Events and Recreation.
Organized by DowntownFirst, the inaugural Holiday Night Market on 17th Street will run from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., featuring pop-up shops between Central and Pioneer avenues, which will be closed to traffic. The market is intended to give local artisans, crafters, and nonprofits without storefronts a venue to sell their goods, alongside hot cider and chocolate stations.
Corey Loghry, vice president of DowntownFirst, said that while neighboring Fort Collins draws massive crowds for its November 6 holiday lighting ceremony, Cheyenne offers a distinct, community-oriented charm.
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