The official start to the holiday season kicks off tonight in Bond Park in downtown Estes Park with the annual tree lighting set for 5:30 p.m. There will be a host of family friendly activities both before and after the tree is lit including photo ops with Santa and the elves.

For more details about holiday activites read the Estes Valley Voice’s holiday preview story here, and check out the Visit Estes Park “Catch the Glow” guide.

Dick Mulhern is an editorial cartoonist. He has been a small business owner and has served on many community boards including most recently the Estes Park School District's Advisory and Accountability...