Barbara Lawlor, Nederland.  Witches capes and princess veils fluttered in the icy blasts of wind that blew through Nederland on Halloween night, Tuesday, October 31. Trick or Treaters held on their wigs of many colors and younger children had to be careful their billowy costumes didn’t fill up with wind gust that could knock them over.

Over the years, Trick or Treating in Old Town Nederland and in the shopping center has evolved into the main event on Halloween eve. Business employees use their imagination as they serve customers and hand out candy.

The Carousel gave away hot dogs which not only tasted great but also could be used to warm one’s hands that became numb from the cold.

Parents took gangs of kids and walked the streets of Old Town looking for the houses that were lit up and decorated. One man even got a ride on Donald Trump’s shoulders and Mr. President didn’t look happy about the situation.

B & F Mountain Market has been collecting candy donations for the past couple of weeks to help out the Old Town houses that always have surges of Trick or Treaters come knocking at their doors.

The Nederland Police Department and the Boulder County Sheriff’s Department had officers distributing candy and warnings to be careful. The Nederland Fire Protection District firefighters directed traffic across the highway at the pedestrian walk and also set up an engine with a large night light in the busiest intersection of Old Town.

Most kids would say the trek through the windy streets was worth the bountiful haul of treats they took home with them.

(Originally published in the November 2, 2017 print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)