Join Georgetown, Colorado in celebrating the life of John Denver. Georgetown has a special place in its heart for the Rocky Mountain High singer and Oh, God actor. During the winter of 1986, Denver starred in The Christmas Gift, which was filmed entirely in Georgetown. The town came back to life in the heart of winter when production of the holiday movie began to roll. Since its release, The Christmas Gift has been a source of great pride for the town. Visit John Denver’s Georgetown for more details and updates.
John Denver’s Georgetown is a partnership between Georgetown Promotions Commission, Guanella Pass Brewery, Hotel de Paris Museum and the Georgetown Cultural Arts Program. Take a stroll through the town’s historic commercial district, taking in the setting for many scenes in the movie while listening to live and recorded performances of his music. Shop at local merchant stores and vendor booths at Strousse Park.
Throughout the day John Denver music will be played from the John Tomay Library Stage in the center of the Historic Georgetown Business district. Stage performances include Georgetown Community School www.georgetownschool.org students covering John Denver’s music and a Rob Solomon & Friends www.robsolomonmusic.com tribute concert. Recorded John Denver music will be played between performances throughout the day.
Georgetown Cultural Arts Program will sponsor free screenings of The Christmas Gift at The Georgetown Heritage Center, 809 Taos Street, Georgetown, CO 80444 (303) 569-0289 www.georgetownheritagecenter.org.
Silver Queen Walking Tours will offer a specially curated John Denver’s Georgetown Walking Tour where you can visit the town where Denver’s 1986 The Christmas Gift was filmed. You will see Strousse Park where the Christmas tree lighting scene took place, the “Letter Day” post office, and Susan McPhillip’s home. Walk the streets John walked and learn the inside scoop about his time here in Georgetown, including personal stories that were told to us by the people involved with John and The Christmas Gift’s filming here. 614 Taos, #1, Georgetown, CO 80444, www.silverqueenwalkingtours.com.
Visit Hotel de Paris Museum, where much of the movie was filmed. In the movie the hotel is run by siblings Henrietta and Bud Sawyer. Also, look for and have your picture taken with Bud’s Busy Bee Cab, the original 1937 Grand Touring Hudson Sedan, which will be parked in front of the museum. 409 6th Street, Georgetown, Colorado 80444, (303) 569-2311 www.hoteldeparismuseum.org.
Visitors will enjoy John Denver themed beverages at cafes, restaurants, pubs and coffee houses honoring Colorado’s favorite son, and find themed merchandise, such as The Christmas Gift DVD at local retailers.
Georgetown’s first brewery since prohibition, Guanella Pass Brewing Company will be serving its holiday favorite Belgian Quad “Christmas Gift” brew. 501 Rose Street, Georgetown, CO 80444 (303) 569-5167. www.guanellapass.com