Farolito Lighting & Pinecone Ceremony

Date: Sunday, November 29, 2009
Time: 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Place: The Fort – 19192 Hwy. 8, Morrison, CO 80465
Cost: Free and open to the public.

The Tesoro Cultural Center will celebrate its southwestern tradition of lighting the farolitos
(paper lanterns) in the courtyard of The Fort restaurant. The festivities usher in the holiday
season and honor a member of the community who has enlightened the minds and souls of
others. After the guest of honor lights the farolitos, the pinecone ceremony begins. Everyone
attending the event is asked to bring a pinecone, with the name of someone he or she
wishes to remember written on a slip of paper and tucked into the cone. At the conclusion
of the evening, the pinecones are placed in the courtyard campfire. The resulting glimmers of
light and bright fire glide upwards, carrying the pinecone messages into the sky. As this event
takes place outdoors, warm dress is recommended.

 

Las Posadas

Date: December 24, 2009
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Place: The Fort – 19192 Hwy. 8, Morrison, CO 80465
Cost: Free and open to the public

Celebrated in Mexico and throughout the United States from December 16 to 24, Las Posadas commemorates Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of shelter on
the night of baby Jesus’ birth. Actors portraying Mary and Joseph will lead a candlelit procession
around the exterior of The Fort, followed by musicians singing traditional Las Posadas songs in
Spanish and English. They will knock on different doors of The Fort, only to be turned away. At the
last door, the weary couple is invited in and offered shelter. The attendees will then join for a celebration featuring songs, complimentary refreshments and a piñata. The Tesoro Cultural Center
has partnered with the Christian Life Movement to present this traditional event. As this event
takes place outdoors, warm dress is recommended.

 

*The Tesoro (meaning treasure in Spanish) Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity organization,
is committed to protecting and making available to the community the artistic treasures of our
American past.  All Tesoro events are inspired by Colorado’s rich history and shared experiences
with Southwest, Spanish, Mexican, Native American and Early European cultures.  From art and
cuisine to historical re-enactments and music, The Tesoro Cultural Center's mission is to create community-based events and educational outreach programs designed to enrich and celebrate
our cultural heritage.  For more information about The Tesoro Cultural Center, call 303-839-1671
or visit www.tesoroculturalcenter.org

* The Tesoro Foundation’s Board of Directors has determined that “Tesoro Cultural Center”
better describes the activities of the Foundation and therefore The Tesoro Foundation is DBA
Tesoro Cultural Center. The legal status and mission of The Tesoro Foundation has not changed.