CENTRAL CITY – Central City was filled with the laughter and voices of children on Thursday, December 5, as the annual Tommyknockers Christmas Parade brought together Gilpin County’s young residents to decorate the Town’s Christmas tree with Father Christmas.

The event began with six buses full of excited kids – kindergartners through fifth graders – arriving at the historic Teller House. Clutching handmade ornaments, some glittering with color, others pinecone birdfeeders or strings of popcorn, the children made their way to the Christmas tree on Main Street.

Father Christmas joined the kids at the tree, greeting them with twinkling eyes and a hearty laugh. Some children confidently shared their Christmas wishes – requests ranging from toys to puppies – while others shyly hung back, unsure about getting too close to the man in red. 

Once the final ornament was hung, Father Christmas and the youngsters strolled back to the Teller House together. The air buzzed with chatter and giggles as they made their way inside, where the holiday fun continued. 

Mrs. Claus, played by Central City’s own Barbara Thielemann, welcomed them to sit cross-legged on the floor, while the high school choir set the mood with seasonal choices like Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Then came story time, orchestrated by a professional storyteller standing at the front of the room. She offered an introduction before beginning her tales.

“I’m going to tell stories that remind us who we are and inspire us to become who we’re meant to be.” The room fell quiet as she began, her words weaving a spell that held every child and adult transfixed.

To wrap up the day, the Central City Elks Ladies handed out gift bags filled with pencils, candy, an orange, and little stuffed animals. The kids left with huge smiles and a small token of the day’s magic.

Principal Patrick Linnehan, who has been part of the tradition for 11 years, said the schoolchildren  look forward to this event all year. 

For 26 years, this tradition has brought the community together, with the Teller House hosting it for the last fifteen. The Tommyknockers Christmas Parade is a special part of the holidays in Central City. As the Gilpin youth headed back to school, they weren’t taking home just gift bags, they were taking memories they’ll never forget.