Fort Collins locals, Colorado State University students and alumni, a 6-foot costumed Yeti, a similarly adorned penguin mascot, an Instagram-famous Pomeranian and local politicians were among those gathered in Old Town Square Nov. 7 for the Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony, a beloved annual event during which 22 block-faces of downtown are illuminated in string lights.
Kelly Ohlson, current Fort Collins City council member, delivered opening remarks prior to the 6:30 p.m. illumination, saying the installation of lights takes about six weeks and begins in September. From the first weekend in November through Valentine’s Day, the holiday lights will remain lit.
The energy-efficient LED lights are sustainable and run along College Avenue to the northern boundary of Laporte Avenue and stretch down to the southern edge of Magnolia Street.
The holiday lights resulted from a partnership between the City of Fort Collins and the Downtown Development Authority, and this year saw a sponsorship from Connexion, a local broadband utility company…