THE BACK STORY
In 2018, the Estes Park Newcomers Board decided to expand our community outreach activities, demonstrating our support for our new home and this vibrant small mountain community that has given us all so much.
We enjoyed the fellowship and expanded friendships that came from building our first Newcomers float and marching together in the 2017 Catch the Glow Parade. Given that we have our own Santa and Mrs. Claus, who are Newcomers themselves, we decided to focus our community outreach efforts on working with the town and many other non-profit community partners to deepen and strengthen the spirit of the holiday season here in Estes Park.
Thus, “We Believe in Estes Park” was born!
NEWCOMERS BELIEVE IN ESTES PARK
November 20-December 20, 2021
Your Newcomers “We Believe in Estes Park” planning team and other town organizations have been hard at work to come up with COVID-safe activities this holiday season. In the past, members and alumni have generously given their time to support We Believe and the many events that happen around town during the holiday season. Join us, hang out with other Newcomers, spread Holiday cheer and watch the faces of the children of Estes Park light up with the Christmas spirit!
Estes Park Tree Lighting Ceremony - Riverside Hicks Park
Date: November 20th; 3:30-5:30PM
Elves and Toy Soldiers to mingle with the crowd before and after the mayor switches the tree lights on to launch the Christmas season in Estes Park.
Catch the Glow Parade - Elk Horn Aveneue
Date: November 26th; 3:45-8PM
Elves and Toy Soldiers to walk alongside the Newcomers Float in the annual Catch the Glow Parade down Elk Horn Ave.
Additionally, we have need for volunteers to help with costume drop off/pick up and transportation to take parade walkers from the Events Center parking lot to the parade staging area on West Elkhorn.
Wine Festival - Events Center
Date: November 27th; 1-3P (exact time TBD)
Santa’s Workshop will be on display for children to see Santa and have guided workshop crafts. Volunteer Elves and Toy Soldiers will be admitted to the event at no charge and can enjoy the festival after volunteer work is complete.
Polar Express - Library Reading
Date: December 10th and December 11th; 4-8:30PM
The library hosts 2 groups each night to enjoy an animated reading of the Polar Express story followed by treats for the children to create and trolley rides to see the holiday lights. We need approximately 3-4 elves each night to help hand out treats to the children. Families must sign up in advance and they usually have approximately 30 children and their parents or caretakers accompany them. After the treats have been handed out, the group boards a trolley which drives through the town to see the local holiday lights. Santa and Mrs. Claus wave to them as the trolley passes by.
Tiny Tots - American Legion
Date: December 11th; 8:30AM-1PM
The American Legion sponsors a morning with Santa for the children in the community. We need approximately 6-8 elves to help set up for the event, organize gift bags and morning treats for the families that come to enjoy holiday time with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Elves mingle with family creating a fun and festive time while the children are in line to chat with Santa. We haven't included toy soldiers in the past but we could include them this year.
Letters From Santa
Date:: November 27th - December 20th
During the 2020 holiday season we started a new tradition. We set up "Express to the North Pole" mail boxes where children can drop of their letters to Santa. Each day we will retrieve the letters and several elves will write personalized letters from Santa back to each child. We received and responded to over 80 letters in 2020. We supply sample letters with wording to help write responses, holiday stationary, envelopes, stamps and a photo of Santa and Mrs. Claus to be included in each response. We have developed a template letter for the children to submit. We would like to set up the mail boxes on November 27th and the elves respond to letters between November 29th and December 20th. If you would like to be a behind the scenes elf and help respond to the heartfult letters that our community children write, please sign up! We would like to have at least 14 elves sign up so that each elf only has to write responses 1 day per week (2 elves per day).
If the above Contact button doesn't work, send email instead to WeBelieve@EstesParkNewcomers.org