CENTRAL CITY – On one of the longest nights of the year, the people of Central made the town glow, lighting their Christmas tree as songs of good tidings filled the air. 

The 26th Annual Tommyknocker Holidays brought warmth and joy to Central City with its festive tree lighting and potluck dinner on Friday, December 6, 2024. 

Named after the mischievous mythical creatures said to live in mines, the event celebrated the town’s gold mining history with a fun twist.

The evening started with Mayor Jeremy Fey making a speech. “Let’s tell a story about Central City’s Christmas Tree: This is our third tree this year….” the crowd bubbled over with laughter. 

Fey captured the spirit of the evening with his heartfelt and humorous remarks, saying, “Much like our resilient city, we are not always the tallest, we are not always the grandest, but we are always capable of surviving 1970s RVs coming into walls and everything else. It's the sixth year I've had the honor of being at the lighting of the tree, and this year, Silas, otherwise known as Bubs, will do the honors.”

 Laughter rippled through the crowd before everyone cheered as the tree lit up, casting its glow over Main Street.

Several people joined in with the Central City Opera Carolers. Singing classics like “Silent Night” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” brought a warm and cheery atmosphere to the chilly evening.

Gilpin County schoolchildren had beautifully decorated the tree the day before, and their ornaments added a charming sparkle. 

Young Silas Ishee was given the honor of plugging in the tree, and as it lit up, the crowd erupted in delighted "oohs" and "aahs," followed by enthusiastic applause.

Then the group walked to the Teller House to join the potluck dinner. 

About 140 people gathered at round tables decorated with candy and pinecones, sharing a spread of more than 40 dishes. There were staples like ham, turkey, and mashed potatoes, alongside unique dishes like jambalaya from the newly opened Lan-Yap Café. There were even ribs and chicken wings!

The dessert table was a star, with pumpkin pie, pecan pie, fudge pie, carrot cake, Christmas cookies, and chocolate-dipped peanut butter cookies. Eric Chinn raved about one pumpkin pie being the best he’d ever tasted, while Eric Langan proudly shared that his pies were flown in from a top baker in Texas.

The Ugly Sweater Contest was a big hit, with eleven contestants strutting their stuff to cheers and applause. Robby Wicks stole the show with his bright, colorful sweater, Christmas pants, and Santa hat, earning first prize – a handmade wreath from the Central City Fire Department. 

Deb Weightman and Sharon Bell snagged second and third place, winning a poinsettia and a bottle of Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider, respectively.

Main Street Central City, a nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing the town’s historic downtown, organized the whole event. It was a perfect way to bring the community together to celebrate the season, Tommyknocker-style.

From the caroling to the incredible food and quirky sweaters, it was a night full of laughter, holiday cheer, and a little bit of that Central City magic.