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Oktoberfest in Parker CO – Sept. 13-15

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Parker Oktoberfest 2021

Admission to this family-friendly German-themed festival is FREE and the event includes a number of fun activities for children and adults. Come watch vignettes of the Grimm Brother’s tale spin-offs on our kid’s stage, or let the kiddos run loose in our kid’s area where vendors and sponsors will be providing activities and games to keep them entertained. Catch one of our several authentic German bands play on the main stage, sign up to compete in beer-relay games, or simply relax and play some lawn games while enjoying a  Schnitzel and a cold brew. We will be hosting dachshund races and a Parker Oktoberfest pageant, so come participate or come watch the fun – either way you’ll have a great time.

octoberfest parker co

Celebrating German Culture in Parker for the 14th Year!

Volunteer – It’s FUN!

As a non-profit fundraiser, the Parker Oktoberfest is run by volunteers. From board members and officers to beer servers, to game hosts, greeters, set-up, take down, grounds crews, ticket sellers, ambassadors, parking attendants we value the commitment of volunteers to be successful. Please consider helping out. Contact them here to volunteer.

Parker’s Holiday Carriage Rides cancelled for 2018

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holiday carriage rides on Mainstreet Parker colorado

Holiday Carriage Rides in Historic Downtown Parker have been cancelled

I just saw this sad news on NextDoor and followed through to the announcement on the Town of Parker Website.

To continue to provide our community with free and low-cost events, while balancing necessary budget reductions, the Town has had to take an in-depth look at our event lineup and make some hard choices. While we know the Holiday Carriage Rides are a favorite community tradition, they serve the lowest number of participants and have the highest per patron cost (about $9 per person per ride) within our event lineup. In order to meet budgetary constraints, and also retain the Town’s signature events that serve a broader portion of our community, we made the difficult decision to cancel the 2018 Holiday Carriage Rides.

Residents rose quite a fuss on NextDoor so the Town of Parker has responded with this Q & A

Parker Holiday Carriage Rides Q&A

Residents raised many questions and concerns regarding the cancellation of the Holiday Carriage Rides. This Q&A provides more information regarding the program, its management and the reasoning to cancel the Holiday Carriage Rides this year.

Why did Parker cancel the Holiday Carriage Rides?
To continue to provide our community with free and low-cost events, while balancing necessary budget reductions, the Town has had to take an in-depth look at our event lineup and make some hard choices. While we know the Holiday Carriage Rides are a favorite community tradition, they serve the lowest number of participants and have the highest per patron cost within our event lineup. In order to meet budgetary constraints, and also retain the Town’s signature events that serve a broader portion of our community, we made the difficult decision to cancel the 2018 Holiday Carriage Rides. This decision was not made lightly and there were many discussions between staff, the Town Administrator’s office and Town Council regarding the continuation of this program. This reduction, along with many other reductions to the 2018 Town budget, was approved by Town Council at the July 16, 2018 Town Council meeting during a public hearing.

How many Parker community members does the cancellation of this program affect?
Since the Holiday Carriage Rides were open to anyone, there was no way of restricting the rides to only Parker residents. However, if every rider was a Parker citizen (2,000 riders) in a Town of 52,000 citizens, then the percentage of community members affected would be less than 4 percent of our population.

How much did it save the Town to cancel the Carriage Ride Program?
The 2017 Holiday Carriage Rides and entertainment at the Discovery Park Ride Station cost $17,350. The 2018 program was budgeted to cost approximately $18,000, based on discussions with vendors. These costs don’t account for staff time for pre, the day of and post-event needs, which were high due to the amount of time this program takes to coordinate. This program also relied on a large group of volunteers and required increased Police presence and patrol during the event.

Can’t the Town offset the event cost with additional sponsorships?
In 2017, five sponsorship opportunities were available and all of them were sold, which offset $6,000 of the event costs. After sponsorship was accounted for, the Town subsidized $11,720 or $5.86 per person per ride. Our Special Events and Sponsorship Coordinator spends a great deal of time working with our great local business community and is always looking to bring new sponsors on board. However, since the Holiday Carriage Rides have much lower attendance than our other larger-scale Town events, they don’t draw as much sponsor interest as they don’t provide as much return on investment (mainly a banner displayed on the wagon/carriage for marketing purposes) for our local business community.

While the Town would have likely been able to sell out 2018 Carriage Ride sponsorship at $6,000, due to the factors mentioned above it was difficult to offer additional sponsorship opportunities and/or raise the price of existing sponsorships. With a limited-scope event with smaller attendance, we don’t have the flexibility to provide sponsors with additional promotional opportunities without adding more elements or additional vehicles to the event, which costs the Town additional money.

Even though we made the decision to cancel the 2018 Carriage Rides, the businesses that had committed to sponsoring the 2018 event stayed on board and agreed to put their sponsorship dollars toward other Town events, which further offset the cost of our remaining Town events.  Any businesses interested in sponsoring Town events are encouraged to reach out to Brooke Spain at the Town of Parker for more information or visitwww.ParkerOnline.org/Sponsorship.

Did the Town consider charging for the Holiday Carriage Rides?
The Town did discuss charging for the Holiday Carriage Rides to offset the high per person cost. In order to sell tickets, the Town would have needed to use a paid ticketing system that offered more options than the free Sign-Up Genius system we previously used. For the Town to make enough money to fully offset event costs (including event sponsorship and accounting for the per person ticketing fees charged), we would have needed to charge approximately $10 per ticket, which we felt would cause further community frustration and price many families out of participating in the event.

What if the Town cut back on the number of carriages/wagons?
While cutting back on the number of carriages/wagons would help reduce the budget, it would be offset by a reduction in the number of event sponsorships the Town could sell. It would also further impact the existing problem of demand outpacing the number of tickets that could be provided for this event. One of the biggest complaints that we receive about this event is that the ride seats/tickets filled up so fast that the majority of the population was left feeling they weren’t able to participate. As the program stood, less than 4 percent of Parker residents had an opportunity to participate in this event. By reducing the amount of vehicles, you further limit who can participate.

Would you allow an interested carriage vendor to come in and coordinate Holiday Carriage Rides?
Yes, the Town would entertain this option if a carriage vendor was interested in applying for a Community Event Permit to put on this event and adhere to all permit requirements. If you know of a vendor that is interested in coordinating this service to the community, please have them contact Brooke Spain atbspain@parkeronline.org or 303.805.3253.

Can another organization take on the event organization and cost? 
This program was originally started by the Downtown Development Council (now Downtown Business Alliance) and then taken on by the Chamber of Commerce. The Town of Parker took over the planning and expense of this program in 2013, when event organizers decided it was not economically feasible to continue the program. The Town would welcome another organization to assume the planning and funding of the Holiday Carriage Rides to carry on this tradition. A 501(c)3 organization may be a great fit for this program. If an organization or business is interested in providing this program to our community, they are welcome to apply for a community event permit through the Town at http://parkeronline.org/130/Community-Event-Permits.

What about accepting donations or crowd funding? 
As a government entity, the Town cannot rely on donations that may or may not cover the expenses nor is it a best practice to crowd fund for expenses that are a contractual obligation to pay. We must be fiscally responsible and know we have the money to spend before we can spend it. The Town can accept donations, but must collect all money before a signed contract and Town Council must accept the donation (gift) by resolution.  The Town cannot enter into a contract anticipating funds/donations will be received.

How has the Town sought vendors for the Carriage Rides program in previous years?
To contact potential vendors, the Town of Parker issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the 2017 Holiday Carriage Rides. This RFP was sent out to 15 different carriage vendors, posted on the Nationwide and Rocky Mountain Region Bid Net, and posted on the Town’s website on Feb. 2, 2017. We held the RFP process open for one month, held an informational meeting regarding the process, and called all 15 vendors to make sure they received the RFP. The Town encouraged vendors to not only review the RFP, but also to propose additional options if the contract choices offered by the Town did not work for their needs. In the RFP, we offered multiple contract options, ranging from the Town paying the full cost of the rides, to a system where the Town paid a partial amount of the overall cost with the vendor charging a nominal fee for rides, to a vendor providing the rides independently and collecting full payment. Out of the 15 vendors that were researched from the greater Denver Metro area, zero attended the informal informational meeting and zero submitted a proposal. Once the RFP process was closed and there was no interest from the available carriage companies, staff then reached back out to all 15 vendors, and of the eight vendors who responded to that contact, five stated they were not interested in participating and three vendors gave bids. None of the companies were interested in taking on the program independently. This was partly due to the large scope (five vehicles) we were requesting but also the lack of guaranteed revenue versus the large amount of work the program would require.

a favorite holiday site in Parker. Ruth Chapel all dress up for the Christmas Holidays in 2010

There are other Holiday Events for you including the Mayor’s Tree Lighting & the Christmas Parade.

Memorial Day Observance Parker Colorado

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May 27, 2019 – Memorial Day Observance

Parker Cemetery

10375 S Parker Rd
Parker, CO 80138
10:00 a.m.
Join the Parker community in honoring Veterans at the annual Memorial Day Veterans’ Service of Remembrance.

Memorial Day Veterans’ Service of Remembrance

Monday, May 27, 2019

Join the Parker community in honoring Veterans at the annual Memorial Day Veterans’ Service of Remembrance.

Ponderosa Valley Funeral Services and J.S. Parker Cemetery invite you to share and participate in this Memorial Day Ceremony honoring our beloved Veterans.

  • F-16 Aircraft Flyover – Colorado Air National Guard
  • Presentation of US Flag to Honor Guard – Harley Owners’ Group Douglas County CO Chapter
  • Patriotic Songs performed by the Parker Chorale
  • Knights of Columbus – Parker American Legion, – Parker Veterans of Foreign War
  • Presentation of Colors and Raising of the US Flag
  • Welcome-The Honorable Mike Waid, Mayor of Parker
  • Inspirational Message- Christopher Petty, Brigadier Gen. (Ret.)
  • Special Message – Col. George Brauchler, Colorado Army National Guard,
  • District Attorney 18th Judicial District
  • Reading of Veterans’ Names
  • 21 Gun Salute, TAPS and Folding of the Flag

Please Bring your own chair and/or umbrella
Inclement weather will cancel Event (Call 303.841.2405)
The Google Map is a little wonky… look below for the map
 It is on the West side of Parker Road just south of the shopping center on the North West corner of Parker Rd. and Mainstreet

Parker Colorado cemetery location

Chanukah – Menorah Lighting Celebration O’Brien Park

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2019 Menorah Lighting TBA, at 5:30 p.m.

The  Chabad Jewish Center of South Metro Denver brings Parker this annual Menorah lighting event at O’Brien Park on Mainstreet and Parker Road, Parker Colorado.

This is a great event for those of all faiths to learn about Chanukah and enjoy the beautifully lighted park,  and festivities include latkes & donuts, children’s entertainment, Chanukah arts & crafts and gifts for the children.

If you missed the one in Parker there is a last chance in Greenwood Village or Highlands Ranch on  Sunday, December 17th at 5 p.m.
For more information, call 303-792-7222 or visit DenverJewishCenter.com

What is Chanukkah?

Chanukkah, the Jewish festival of rededication, also known as the festival of lights, is an eight day festival beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev.

Chanukkah is probably one of the best known Jewish holidays, not because of any great religious significance, but because of its proximity to Christmas. Many non-Jews (and even many assimilated Jews!) think of this holiday as the Jewish Christmas, adopting many of the Christmas customs, such as elaborate gift-giving and decoration. It is bitterly ironic that this holiday, which has its roots in a revolution against assimilation and the suppression of Jewish religion, has become the most assimilated, secular holiday on our calendar.
Source: JewFAQ.org

Things to do New Years Eve – New Years Day Brunch

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The South Denver Metro area has a few options to help you ring in the New Year 2015/ 2016
HAPPY NEW YEAR’S!

Parker Garage – As of 12/30/15 had openings at the 5 o’clock time slot and 8:30.. call to make reservations.

MARCO’S COAL-FIRED PIZZA – VELAGIO

Marco’s Coal Fired Pizza is offering a special for diners interested in a merry way to celebrate the last night of the year in a more casual setting. For $25, be treated to the Pizza Giada (Bufala Mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano, Gran Cru, Caciocavallo, Gourmet Mushrooms, Crispy Pancetta, Fresh Basil, EVOO) and two glasses of Marca – DOC Prosecco for an authentic Napoletana toast.

New Year’s EVE:

Head over to Punch Bowl Social (65 Broadway on New Year’s Eve and celebrate 80’s style. The party gets started at 8pm with DJ Stone, and the 80’s cover band, The Goonies, go on at 10pm. Champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight and best of all — no cover. Don’t forget clean socks to hit the bowling lanes or channel your inner rock star and take to the private karaoke rooms to sing in the new year.  Of course, ping pong, vintage arcade games, shuffleboard and darts are always a hit for year-end celebrating.

On the last night of 2015, drop in to either location of ViewHouse (2015 Market Street and 7101 S. Clinton Street, Centennial), and enjoy the glitz and glamour of “A Midnight Masquerade New Years Eve” at the Ballpark location and ““A Midnight Affair” down south at ViewHouse Centennial.  Both parties begin with mulit-coursed prix fixe dinner with optional pairings, and will include photo booths, balloon drops, two dance floors and a celebratory midnight champagne toast.  The four coursed menu at Ballpark features flavors such Acorn Squash Soup, sesame seared tuna, slow roasted filet and a “Sucre Flight” dessert course, and at Centennial, dig into a five course meal boasting dishes such as lobster bisque, salads, wild mushroom and squash puff pastry with porcini cream and bulls blood salad, Ahi tuna napoleon, a grilled filet with poached lobster and finished with the Sucre Flight.  Dinner packages start at $45 per person at Ballpark or $75 or $150 per couple.

Del Frisco’s Grille (100 St. Paul St.  will be celebrating their first New Years Eve dinner in their sleek new Cherry Creek North location with an special dry aged Prime Rib dinner in addition to regular menu offerings.  This special features hand-mashed potatoes, au jus and complimentary champagne toast at midnight, and you can get the 16oz version for $42, or indulge in the 20oz for $49.  Wash it down with a selection from the 2,000+ bottles of wine on site or sip on one of the Grille’s holiday cocktails, the Cinnamon Apple Mule, a smooth apple bourbon and cinnamon mule or the White Chocolate Candy Cane Martini, a sweet sipper with Stoli Vanil Vodka and Godiva White Chocolate.

Make LoHi’s Postino WineCafé (2715 17th St. your-party stop all day before 5 pm and enjoy $5 wines by the glass or pitchers of beer before you head out to your next stop.  Hungry?  Of course, the signature bruschetta boards are available, including the new seasonal bruschetta of roasted butternut squash, roasted pumpkin seeds, ricotta and fresh chives.  Drizzled with two oils – pumpkin oil and olive oil – it’s a creamy, cozy seasonal delight.

If you are looking for something carefully crafted but still über casual, settle in to a seat at Carbon Beverage Café (1553 Platte St., in a nod to your favorite childhood classics Chef T.J. Bresina is whipping up a special Black Tie TV Dinner that will be served along with a smattering of special cocktails from behind the bar, fully customizable and “carbon-ized” by you.  Regular menu is also available, so If you’re hankering for the Li’l Kim, Green Eggs & Hash or just a platter of Tater/Bacon/Pizza tots with an array of your choice of hits, you can still indulge before you head next door for a buttery brioche doughnut from sister-concept Habit Doughnut Dispensary, which will also be open regular hours and serving holiday coffee alongside the array of creative doughnuts fresh made for the evening.

It’s comfort food with an elegant twist at MAX’s Wine Dive (696 Sherman Street ), where New Year’s Eve special Prix Fixe $50 menu offers an amuse followed by three courses from the talented kitchen headed by Chef Kevin Savoy.  Think along the lines of the MAX’s stuffed pepper to start, followed by a salad of mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, marinated artichokes, parmesan cheese and Champagne vin.  You’ll enjoy the ribeye Oscar Style, a juicy 12 oz. griddled rib eye steak layered with jumbo lump crab and accompanied by asparagus with house hollandaise, mashed potatoes and natural jus.  Round out the meal with Oreo Bread Pudding and vanilla ice cream and salted caramel.  An optional bubbles flight includes Cava, Prosecco, Champagne and Sparkling Rose for $23.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Tamayo (1400 Larimer Street) on Larimer Square with modern Mexican cuisine and cocktails.  On Thursday, December 31st, enjoy a New Year’s Eve three-course modern Mexican dinner with a champagne toast for $69.  The New Year’s Eve Menu includes one from each of the following categories: First Course: Roasted Beet Salad, Braised Lamb, Chile Relleno Seafood, Scallops, Braised Pork Quesadillas, Butternut Squash Soup, the Second Course choose from Lobster & Shrimp, Marinated Pork, Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass, Lamb Shank, Tampiquena and for the Third Course choose from Empanada De Platano, Tres Leches Bread Pudding, Pastel De Chocolate.

Rise to the occasion and ring in the New Year at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steak House (8100 E. Orchard Road) New Year’s Eve celebration. Executive Chef Mario Hernandez will be serving a special entrée including the delicious 8oz Filet and 8oz Lobster tail for $79. The menu also includes a variety of appetizers including shrimp cocktail, crab cake, tuna tartare and much more. A variety of main course dishes are available from the wagyu long-bone ribeye to the sautéed salmon. Add some delectable side dishes including the jalapeno-bacon mac & cheese, chateau potatoes or asparagus. Reservations are highly recommended: 303-796-0100.

Look to La Biblioteca (1610 Little Raven St., Riverfront Park, Denver New Year’s Eve Bash where unlimited is the keyword! Let the fun begin starting at 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Each guest receives unlimited passed appetizers and select cocktails for $64 per guest. Passed appetizers include spicy tuna roll, volcano roll, vegetarian roll, Thai chicken empanadas, grilled chicken satay, shrimp-vegetable potstickers and a few other additional selections. Unlimited cocktails include the traditional margarita, house-infused margaritas, well cocktails, blanco and tinto sangria, house red and white wine and draft beer.

Don’t forget to figure out your Designated Driver before you go out to celebrate. There are options for free rides listed here.

With the holidays fast approaching, I just wanted to take a moment to send information about New Year’s Day brunches around town for your consideration.  Ours is a brunching town; what better way to kick off the new year than with that curious combination of breakfast and lunch that feels so uniquely Denver?

New Year’s Day Brunches:

Celebrate the first day of 2016 at Punch Bowl Social (65 Broadway with an over-the-top New Year’s Day brunch and award-winning bloody mary bar, starting at 8 am. The mega buffet features a prime rib carving station, omelet and egg stations, charcuterie platters, fresh fruits, buttermilk biscuits, croissants, club sandwiches, multiple salad selections and mini pop tarts and mini cupcakes among the dessert choices. Adults are $35, kids under 5 eat free and kids 12 and under are $10. After the feast, check out the private karaoke rooms for some new year singing time. Other favorite activities include skee ball, ping pong, retro arcade & pinball games, shuffleboard, corn hole, darts and the brand new giant foosball table. Call 303-765-2695 for reservations.

Whether you’re hung over or just hungry, both ViewHouse locations (ViewHouse Ballpark (2015 Market Street and ViewHouse Centennial (7101 S. Clinton St. ) have the answer with regular brunch menu offerings, including Crab Cakes Egg Benedict, French Toast with salted caramel bananas and the ViewHouse breakfast burrito, stuffed full of spicy chorizo, green chile, pico de gallo, sour cream and eggs, and loaded up with guacamole.  Finish strong with the ViewHouse Bloody Mary (you can make it bottomless!) or sip on a Whiskey Kiss, with Leopold’s small-batch whiskey and St. Germain, fresh strawberries, mint and lemon juice.  Both ViewHouse locations will be open regular hours on New Year’s Day – drop in any time from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.

The just-opened Del Frisco’s Grille (100 St. Paul St.) in Cherry Creek North will lure New Year’s Day brunchers with the promise of an “anytime eats,” upscale, casual menu of brunch comfort food designed and built for sharing, indulging and enjoying. Craveable dishes like Red Velvet Belgian Waffle with whipped vanilla bean-spiked cream cheese and thick cut hickory smoked bacon, or the crabcake benedict with poached eggs, asparagus and toasted focaccia and a spicy fresh Cajun lobster sauce.  Wash it down with the hangover-busting Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary that arrives at your table with house-made Bloody Mary Mix, Tito’s Vodka and a hefty plate of “fixin’s.”  If you’re still celebrating, stay simple with the House mimosa of champagne and fresh squeezed orange juice, available by the glass or in a carafe, as are all the Grille’s brunch cocktails.

Postino WineCafé (2715 17th St.) is ringing in the new year by offering the unique Postino brunch – the compact and craveable menu is expanded for brunch to include scratch offerings from the kitchen such as Walnut Toast with triple crème brie and tartly sweet house-made berry preserves, or the Ciabatta French Toast with the house made berry preserves, almonds and vanilla crème Fraiche to finish, or the B.E.L.T., a hearty and filling breakfast panini on soft ciabatta with applewood smoked bacon, scrambled eggs, dijonnaise, lettuce and tomato. Naturally, the signature bruschetta boards are available, including the roasted butternut squash bruschetta with roasted pumpkin seeds, ricotta and fresh chives. Wash it down with a selection from the eclectic and approachable wine list where any glass of wine is $5 until 5 p.m., and the fresh housemade mimosas are also $5.

Habit Doughnut Dispensary and Carbon Beverage Café (1553 Platte St.) are both open at 7 a.m. on New Year’s Day, and brunchers can grab a doughnut on-the-go at Habit or indulge at Carbon with a hangover-helper Devil-Fried Chicken and Waffles, with the aptly named devil-fried chicken with sriracha maple, creamy whipped butter over almond waffles or buttery brioche doughnut; or start the new year’s right with a healthy bowl of the Tree Hugger Grains with carbon coffee muesli over housemade yoghurt,with a sprinkling of chia seeds, pepitas, toasted nuts,honey and tart fresh blueberries.  Sip on one of the many adult-beverage options like the ever-customizable sangria, with options of red, white, rosé, Prosecco or even kombucha or the Metal Sangria with Trve American Stout.  Fresh OJ is on tap for a simple, customizably-infinite Mimosa experience with your friendly tap tender behind the bar.

MAX’s Wine Dive (696 Sherman Street), the cozy casual complement to our craft-brewing-beer-crazy town offers a comfort-food take on brunch for New Year’s Day, including the special for the day, the must-have Prime Rib Hangover Fries, with tender prime rib, healthy dose of cheese, scallions and bacon all topped with jalapeños, Cheese, Scallions, Bacon, Jalapenos, Sunny Side Up Eggs and Spicy Lemon Hollandaise. Splurge on the Bottomless Mimosa for $15, or a Wine Dive Sangria with house red or white wine and brandy, seasonal fruits and a bit of cane sugar.

Tamayo (1400 Larimer Street) on historic Larimer Square will be featuring the New Year’s Day bottomless brunch, the perfect hangover cure. Unlimited small plates and free-flowing cocktails for $39 from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Happy hour menu available from 2:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and dinner menu beginning at 5:00 p.m.