Counting down from 10, about 50 children helped Colorado Rockies mascot Dinger flip a switch at Union Station on Friday evening, turning on more than 10,000 holiday lights.
The LED lights in bright colors will light the nights through the holiday season in downtown Denver.
Phil Washington, general manager for RTD, told the crowd at Union Station he hopes the lights will symbolize hope.
“It’s a wonderful season of hope,” Washington said. “To see another Thanksgiving is a great thing.”
Denver native Alta Jager had never before been to the lighting of the city but went to Union Station this year with her two daughters, ages 1 and 3.
“Denver Union Station is such a historic building, and I really thought they should get to see this,” Jager said. “Especially now that FasTracks will be a part of Union Station.”
Jager’s daughters and other children at the lighting also enjoyed coloring activities, carolers — and hot chocolate to keep warm.
One of the Regional Transportation District’s board of directors, Barbara Brohl, also said the lighting was significant this year based on the changes Union Station will go through.
“In years to come, Union Station will once again become a rapid-transit hub for the world,” Brohl said.
Fifteen minutes after Union Station was flooded in color, the Denver City and County Building was also lit as the high point of a show that coordinated holiday music with dancing lights, which changed from blues to reds, yellows and greens.
Sage Shriver, 9, of Boulder sang with the Flatiron Youth Chorale as the lights at the city building were turned on.
“It was really fun,” Sage said. Her favorite song to sing was “Yule Be Swinging.”
Gabriella Gonzalez, 8, and her brother Manny Gonzalez, 10, were both watching the show with their parents for the first time.
“I love all the colors,” Gabriella said, although her favorite was red.
“We came to see the joyness of Christmas.”
Her mom, Justine Vendittelli, enjoyed the show just as much, she said.
“It was beautiful; I had no idea they coincide the music with the lights,” Vendittelli said. “It was great.”
Some of the thousands who crowded the street in front of the City and County Building traveled farther to see the lights.
Jerry Arni drove from Highlands Ranch with son Shawn and grandson Justin to watch the show for the first time. “No, I didn’t like it, I loved the show because it had my favorite colors: red, yellow and green,” Justin said.
His good behavior was rewarded Friday with a glowing light saber that will allow him to take some of those colors home.
Yesenia Robles: 303-954-1372
