The Mini Holiday Walk in downtown Evergreen was lively this year, with visits from Santa and Buddy the Elf, bonfires throughout downtown, refreshments at local businesses and, of course, the annual tree lighting.
Roy Baldwin volunteered at the event through the Blue Spruce Kiwanis. He has been volunteering for 27 years. He was in charge of monitoring one of the fires.
A longtime Evergreen resident, Baldwin recently moved to Golden but still attends Evergreen events.
“It’s essentially just a festive atmosphere,” Baldwin said.
A popular character of the night, Buddy the Elf, drew a lot of attention. In his day job as an Evergreen Realtor, Matt Bachus doesn’t usually wear yellow tights to work. With an uncanny resemblance to Will Ferrell, the actor playing Buddy the Elf in the 2003 Christmas movie, Bachus turns heads when he puts on his costume.
“People love it. I do look the part,” he said.
Playing a character is not a new role for Bachus, as he integral in the Evergreen Players and has been in multiple commercials. This part is a special casting for him, and Bachus enjoys interacting with kids.
The only caveat comes with the wardrobe in the cold Evergreen evenings.
“It’s not the warmest costume,” Bachus said, laughing.
Local kids were excited to see Santa and enjoy the festive evening with their families. Five-year-old Elias ErkenBrack’s favorite part of the night was getting to talk to Santa. He had grand plans for what he wanted for Christmas.
“Three race cars; an orange one, a pink one and a purple one — with a track,” he said.
His mom was happy to visit with friends and get out to enjoy the festivities.
“It’s nice to see the community out and about,” mom Jamie ErkenBrack said.
Elias was also having fun hanging out with his friend, Grayson Blackwell, 8.
Grayson’s favorite part of the evening was the tree lighting because it made him happy. He couldn’t remember exactly what he wanted to ask Santa for but knew he was deciding between a few things.
When Grayson thought about his favorite part of the holiday season, he said, “I kinda like the Advent calendars.”
