It was a perfect night to take an evening stroll down Evergreen’s Main Street.

Hundreds came out for the 30^th Holiday Walk on Dec. 2, happy the winds had died down in time for the annual event that provides entertainment, food, shopping and most importantly a place for the community to gather. Evergreen Downtown Business Association organizers wanted to bring the event that heralds in the holiday season back to its pre-pandemic glory.

This year, EDBA had help from premier sponsor Evergreen Rodeo Association, which helped ensure Main Street was closed to traffic, and provided some of the many activities for families to enjoy.

There were Santa and Mrs. Claus to visit, reindeer to pet and ponies to ride, bands and strolling carolers to hear, food to eat from a variety of vendors, ornaments to decorate, an ice sculptor to watch, and horse-drawn carriage rides to take. Attendees greeted friends, enjoyed shopping in many of the Main Street businesses and simply had a good time.

The evening began with a Christmas tree lighting at the Evergreen Lake House led by Santa, who made his way with Mrs. Claus to downtown Evergreen. The decorations are courtesy of the Evergreen Park & Recreation District.

Grayson Trotz attended the Holiday Walk for the first time, which makes sense since he’s only 4 weeks old. Dad Ryan said he was born five weeks early just so he could visit Santa at the Holiday Walk.

This was the Trotz family’s first visit to the Holiday Walk, and they were glad they came, enjoying everything the event had to offer, mom Christina said.

Abigail Coons, 7, asked balloon artist Marty the Magic Jewell to create a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer balloon, saying she liked Rudolph because he was in Christmas colors.

Mom Jessica said the family has lived in Evergreen for 12 years but had never attended the Holiday Walk until now. Abigail had already decorated an ornament and had a pony ride.

Scout Troop 888 was hard at work frying and selling fresh doughnuts to earn money to buy equipment for the troop. Scoutmaster Mitch Goldenberg explained that the troop goes camping regularly, and doughnuts usually are on the menu. Some creative brainstorming led to hosting the doughnut stand for the first time in 2019 at the Holiday Walk, taking a hiatus during the pandemic and now is back.

In the children’s craft tent, business was brisk as children had their faces painted, watched as balloons were turned into creatures of all kinds and decorated ornaments. Some were waiting to visit with Santa next door.

Lindsey Ray, 6, and her sister Audrey, 4, posed for a photo with a large Rudolph, saying they were having fun at the Holiday Walk. Lindsey said she liked petting the reindeer and riding a pony.

For their mom, Emily, who works in Evergreen, the Holiday Walk was the perfect way to spend a December Friday evening.

“It’s friendly and festive,” she said. “There are a lot of people here who know each other. That’s why I love it up here. It’s mountain-friendly.”