In the lobby of a historic downtown Denver hotel, hundreds of paying guests Sunday witnessed champagne cascading down thousands of glasses stacked in the shape of a Christmas tree.

It’s part of a Denver tradition that has, for decades, ushered in the holiday season at the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, located at 17th Street and Tremont Place in downtown Denver.

The event also raised money for a nonprofit focused on children and families who need support.

On Sunday, the 133-year-old hotel hosted its 37th annual “Champagne Cascade,” a celebration not only meant to spread holiday cheer, but to showcase the tall glass tower and a massive holiday chandelier.

This year, the event raised $32,500 for Mount Saint Vincent, a nonprofit of Intermountain Health that focuses on pediatric behavioral healthcare, foster care services, individualized education and trauma-informed training for families and children.

“Today’s celebration is all about purpose,” said Alfonso Perez-Vega, who became the Brown Palace’s general manager when Crescent Real Estate brought in Highgate, a hotel company, as operator early this year.

“The thousands of glasses stacked with perfect harmony behind us represent the sacred design of the Brown Palace,” Perez-Vega said, “with connection, tradition and joy.”

Stacked up on top of a stage, 5,210 champagne glasses formed a Christmas tree.

In fact, if ever attempted, it would take 1,500 regular bottles of champagne to fill every glass. If fully cascaded down from the top first glass, plan to spend 25 hours before every glass is filled. Even if completed, the stack would collapse under more weight.

Predating Sunday, a team of builders meticulously stacked the tower from the bottom up, layer-by-layer.

On Sunday, top hotel officials and organization representatives stood above the tower of glasses, pouring champagne into the top glass. The age-restricted beverage cascaded down the tower.

Additionally, the hotel turned on its traditional holiday-themed “Denver Debutante Chandelier.”

The chandelier is a two-ton, 25-by-25 foot lighting fixture hung from the top ceiling. Taking eight hours to install, the light fixture amasses tens of thousands of LED lights, according to Brown Palace officials.

Perez-Vega, the hotel’s newest manager, praised Sunday’s event as a way to honor the hotel’s long history.

Named after Denver realtor Henry Cordes Brown, the developer built the Brown Palace and opened it in 1892. The mile-high relic represented a time in U.S. history when settlers flocked to the West in search of gold, silver and a place to sleep.

“Generations have gathered here to celebrate the biggest moments,” Perez-Vega said.