PHOTOS BY SARA SANDSTROM It’s time for a parade! Top, left; A Nederland parade must include some dogs! Right; Kids on bikes always show up to the parade. Bottom, left; We are grateful to the Barker Brass Band who bring a wonderful energy to the festivities.[/caption]

Along with the red, white and blue, out came the bicycles, fire trucks, classic cars, the Barker Brass Band, donkeys and yaks for Nederland’s annual 4th of July parade. People of all ages participated in parade and lined the route to enjoy some community time together and celebrate the United States of America.

If someone asks why we celebrate the 4th of July most will say it is the birthday of the United States. Yes, this is when we recognize our independence. However, it is not that simple. This is always a great time to brush up on some United States history. The thirteen American Colonies did not gain independence from the British Empire on the 4th of July of any year.

The Revolutionary War had already been going on for over a year in July of 1776. More colonists were thinking that this idea of independence was a good idea as anti-British feelings grew. The Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia on July 1, 1776, and on July 2, voted in favor of declaring independence. Then they revised the language and debated what should be said and not said for two days. The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776; that is why we celebrate on the 4th, but no one signed the parchment on that day. John Hancock’s signature did not become famous for another month. The majority of the delegates signed the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776. The Revolutionary War ended seven years later with the Treaty of Paris on September 3, 1783. If the Revolutionary War had gone differently we would not be having parades on the 4th of July.

We would be remiss to think that when the Revolutionary War ended that everyone in the newly formed United States of America was free. Not everyone was free to own land or vote. Not everyone was free to live as they wanted to live. Not everyone could live on the land they once lived on.

On the 4th of July I believe there is reason to celebrate. It was very courageous to take on King George III and the British Empire. I also think it is time to pause for a moment to think about our flaws as a country. In 1776 there were many people who were not valued in society. There are still people who are marginalized and not valued in society today. I believe the systems that perpetually keep people down need to change. I think they can change.

So, as you wave the United States flag and celebrate the 4th of July each year I hope you understand the complex history it holds and also that the work never ends to create a just society.

There were a lot of smiles at the Nederland 4th of July parade as friends greeted each other and shared conversations. Let this be a ripple effect in the community that turns into more compassion and care for each other. We say we are the land of the free. Let’s work at being the land where we see one another. See one another for who we are free from judgment and bias. Now that would be a refreshing revolution.

PHOTOS BY SARA SANDSTROM Celebrating the 4th of July Top, left; These middle schoolers are dressed for the national holiday. Top, right; Barker Brass players kept the crowd’s toes tapping. Bottom, right; Cars from different decades rolled down Nederland’s streets.Bottom, left; Firetrucks are always seen in parades across the United States. The small mountain communities in Colorado are no exception to this tradition. We are proud of our fire departments.[/caption]