The Durango Business Improvement District is honored to hold the Singing with Santa event, which is always held on the day after Thanksgiving. This year it is on Nov. 28.
Singing with Santa started in 1985, making it one of Durango’s longest standing events. I recently received a phone call from a longtime local who gave me the history of this holiday tradition.
Wardine Lee, Pasty Dolan and Carolyn Rector dreamed up Singing With Santa in the mid-80s over wine at The Palace. Wardine was the general manager at the Jarvis Hotel; Patsy was the executive secretary for Charles Bradshaw, who owned the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad at the time; and Carolyn was the general manager of the General Palmer Hotel. Singing With Santa was created by these three amazing women.
Wardine, Patsy and Carolyn used their connections to secure donated cookies and hot chocolate. Wardine’s parents were Santa and Mrs. Claus. The event started at the north end of downtown and included a procession on Main Avenue that ended at the railroad depot. Bruce Anderson at KIQX 101.3 FM produced a series of carols that everyone could tune into and sing along. At the depot, the Christmas tree was lit, and Santa and Mrs. Claus entertained the kids.
Our community owes a debt of gratitude to Wardine, Patsy and Carolyn, and many others who nurtured this wonderful community tradition. The Durango Chamber of Commerce led the event for many years, as did the Boys and Girls Club of La Plata County. It was turned over to BID in 2013.
Today’s event maintains the core elements that have been a part of Singing With Santa for 40 years. We will sing Christmas carols in Buckley Park, led by the LB Christmas Choir from Dolores. Sound is provided by Jimmy’s Music and Supply.
Cookies are donated by several businesses, including Zia Taqueria and Manna Soup Kitchen. Hot chocolate is provided by Carver Brewing Company. Cookies and hot chocolate service will start at 5:30 p.m., as will the Christmas caroling.
Santa will arrive at Buckley Park at 6 p.m. sharp, and he will be delivered in a fancy vehicle from Durango Motor Company. You will also see title sponsor TBK Bank at the event, and they will have a letters to Santa station on site. Clearnetworx will also be there with extra goodies for the good boys and girls.
Once Santa has made his way to the stage, we will light the Community Christmas tree that Eagle Crane hung the lights on earlier this week. Free photos with Santa are offered, please bring your own camera. Thanks to Music in the Mountains for donating the Santa photo stage. BID also thanks the city of Durango for sponsoring the event.
BID will host a reindeer scavenger hunt in Downtown during the day for the kids. There is also a shopping incentive program on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, where $3,000 in Heart of Durango Dollars digital gift cards will be awarded to several lucky people who start their Christmas shopping locally. One person will win $1,000!
Learn more about Singing With Santa this year at SingingWithSanta.org and join us at Buckley Park at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 28.
Tim Walsworth is executive director of Durango Business Improvement District. Reach him at timw@downtowndurango.org or 375-5068.
