Derek Okubo, executive director of Denver’s agency for Human Rights & Community Partnerships, will speak to market-goers, local residents, vendors and sponsors about the importance of diverse community relationships at Denver’s 14th Annual Christkindl Market opening ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Skyline Park, 16th Street and Arapahoe. Following the ceremony to launch the 33-day event, the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra will begin an hour-long performance at 5:30 p.m.
Okubo oversees eight offices and 10 mayoral appointed commissions. The agency acts as a conduit of communication and convener of problem-solving among local government, nonprofits, businesses and residents.
“We are excited to have Mr. Okubo join us this year from the mayor’s office to say a few words on behalf of Mayor Hancock,” said Joshua Seeberg, executive director of the German American Chambers of Commerce. “Our German-American community in Colorado is rich with culture and the Christkindl Market brings the holiday spirit to Denver to celebrate tradition and commerce. We are looking forward to this event with support from America It’s Time, Holland & Hart, Intermountain STIHL and the Sonnenalp Hotel.”
The Denver Christkindl Market presented by America It’s Time opens Friday and will run for 33 days at Skyline Park. The event is hosted by the Colorado Chapter of the German American Chamber of Commerce.
Event highlights include:
* 11 a.m. Friday: Market opens with vendors, food and live music from 4 to 9 p.m.
* 4:30 p.m. Saturday: Grand opening ceremony with the 2014 Christkind (Christ child) Shersten Erschholz; Joshua Seeberg, executive director of the Colorado Chapter of the German American Chamber of Commerce and Okubo who will say a few words about culture and commerce in Denver.
* 5:30 p.m. Saturday: Denver Philharmonic Orchestra performance begins.
* 6 p.m. Nov. 28: Grand Illumination, presented by Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc. A part of Downtown Denver’s Winter in the City program, the Grand Illumination event will light up downtown from Union Station to the City and County Building. Following a countdown shortly after 6:30 p.m., Denver Union Station will be ablaze with brightly colored floodlights illuminating the historic structure in the heart of Lower Downtown and its lighted tree in front. Light Exhibition runs through the end of December.
* 11 a.m. Nov. 29: Southwest Skating Rink at Skyline Park opens. The Christkindl Market warming hut will be serving warm Gluehwein (Glow wine) and hot chocolate.
* 4:30 p.m. Dec. 4: Networking with the Colorado international business community hosted by the Colorado Chapter of the German American Chamber of Commerce; the event features a buffet provided by award-winning chef Walter Neuhold.
* 11 a.m. Dec. 5: St. Nickolas Day celebrations with appearances from St. Nickolas throughout the day.
* 8 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6: The Parade of Lights. Market will stay open until 10 p.m. both days.
* 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 6: Live entertainment and appearances from St. Nikolaus at the Market.
* Give aways: Seven-foot advent calendar with 23 days of gifts to market goers sponsored by Sonnenalp Hotel . Gifts include free dinners, theater and comedy club tickets, a 2-night stay at the Sonnenalp Hotel in Vail (valued at $1,200) and much more.
A production of the German Cultural Foundation of the Rocky Mountains and the German American Chamber of Commerce – Colorado, this Christmas Market creates the holiday spirit of Old World Germany with the foods, sounds and activities of the Market. The Market runs from Nov. 23 to Dec. 23. More information at www.DenverChristkindlMarket.com.
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