Parker residents are getting a chance to experience pieces of a historic family and their holiday traditions through an annual celebration in early December.
Austrian Christmas is an event held by the Schweiger Ranch Foundation, an organization created to manage activities and educational opportunities and maintain the buildings. This celebration gives guests access to Austrian tunes and dishes, a shopping space known as Christkindl Markt, carriage rides led by horses, face painting, crafting activities for children, and visits with both Santa Claus and a few of his reindeer.
Schweiger Ranch was established in Lone Tree in 1874 by a trio of brothers who originally came from Austria. One of the brothers, John, eventually married a woman named Anna. The couple had seven kids, who helped to grow the ranch. What started as just 38 acres eventually became almost 4,000. When the foundation was started, the original piece of land (the 38 acres) was donated by the current landowner, RidgeGate Investments.
The schedule of activities is written out on the ranch’s website, where names of some of the vendors on site can also be found. Items sold will include Austrian pastries, wooden toys, knit accessory pieces, ornaments, felted figures, decorations, and candles.
The celebration is free to attend, but registering during one of the entrance windows on Eventbrite is required. These times are 12:00pm to 1:00pm, 1:00pm to 2:00pm, 2:00pm to 3:00pm, and 3:00pm to 4:00pm. Flyer printing is commonly seen when looking at the advertising of holiday experiences. The festivities are open between 11:00am and 5:00pm on Saturday, December 2.
Location
12543 Highway 83
#228
Parker, CO 80134
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Phone
Hours
Mon: 8:30 - 5:00
Tue: 8:30 - 5:00
Wed: 8:30 - 5:00
Thu: 8:30 - 5:00
Fri: 8:30 - 4:00
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed