Fort festivities brighten holiday happenings

The venerable Fort restaurant is offering a lineup of holiday happenings to entertain your out-of-town guests with a slice of Colorado’s history.

Festivities for the whole family are presented by the Tesoro Cultural Center, the local nonprofit committed to protecting and educating the community about the artistic treasures of the American past. All of Tesoro’s events are inspired by Colorado’s rich history and shared, multicultural experiences – 100 percent of all donations and proceeds go towards the organization’s preservation and educational efforts.

Nov. 30: Farolito Lighting & Pinecone Ceremony, honoring Dr. Alexa Roberts, presented by Tesoro Cultural Center

The Tesoro Cultural Center will celebrate the Southwestern tradition of lighting the farolitos – paper lanterns – in the courtyard of The Fort. The festivities usher in the holiday season and honor a member of the community who has enlightened the minds and souls of others. This year’s honoree is Dr. Alexa Roberts, superintendent of the National Park Service Sand Creek Massacre site and Old Bent’s Fort site, for her efforts in uniting the tribes involved in the Sand Creek Massacre with education and understanding in order to inspire healing. This event is free and hosted in the courtyard of The Fort from 4:30 – 6 p.m. Enjoy live music, complimentary apple cider, coffee and biscochitos provided by The Fort. Visit www.TesoroCulturalCenter.org to learn more about the Pinecone Ceremony. For additional events related to the Sand Creek Massacre 150 Anniversary, please visit www.sandcreekmassacre150.com.

Dec. 2: Holiday Auction Party, benefitting Tesoro Cultural Center

Do some holiday shopping at discount prices while supporting historical, cultural and educational programs. Tesoro’s Annual Holiday Auction Party, hosted at The Fort from 6 – 9 p.m., joins GivingFirst’s Colorado Gives Day (24 Hours to Give Where You Live) to raise awareness and funds for nonprofits in Colorado. Entry is free with a suggested $25 donation for an evening filled with music, art, jewelry, dancing, a cash bar and appetizers, compliments of The Fort.
Dec. 24: Las Posadas presented by Tesoro Cultural Center

Celebrated in Mexico and in small Hispanic villages throughout the Southwest, Las Posadas celebrates and commemorates Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of shelter on the night of baby Jesus’ birth. The Tesoro Cultural Center partners with the Christian Life Movement to present this spiritual celebration including a piñata for the kids. The public is invited to join in the candle light procession singing the Posadas songs, escorting a live donkey and sheep to the manger in the outdoor courtyard of The Fort on Christmas Eve from 4 – 5:30 p.m. Complimentary biscochitos, tamales and hot beverages are provided. This event is free and open to the public.

For more information about all Tesoro Cultural Center events hosted at The Fort, contact Carolyn Doran, Program Director, at 303-839-1671 or at cdoran@tesoroculturalcenter.org.