Denver Sister Cities had the incredible honor of leading the 50th annual 9News Parade of Lights as the Grand Marshal on Saturday, Dec. 7th!

With Denver and Takayama celebrating nearly 65 years of friendship, our yatai float—gifted by Takayama in 1964—made its grand return to the streets of downtown Denver. This historic float, restored with care and pride, represents centuries of Japanese artistry and the strong bond between our cities.

Dressed in traditional Samurai outfits and happi coats, both Denver citizens and the 18 person delegation from Takayama brought culture to life in downtown with sounds of gongs, sarubobo, and heartfelt connections with the Denver community.

The parade showcased the beauty of international sister cities, reminding us that citizen diplomacy creates enduring connections across the globe. Watch the video to relive this magical evening and witness the unity, joy, and global spirit we shared with thousands of parade-goers.

Gratitude to the delegation from our sister city of Takayama, Japan, for traveling to Denver and sharing your rich culture and traditions with our community.

Thank you to everyone who attended and cheered us on. Together, we celebrated nearly 65 years of friendship between Denver and Takayama and showcased the power of citizen diplomacy and cultural history.

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