Amanda MacDonald, Nederland. Our hearts froze and were broken last year and we are presently missing the opportunity to celebrate with you all. Although restrictions are gradually being lifted, we did not feel we could throw FDGD in a safe, free-spirited fashion that is its essence. We have decided to officially postpone till 2022, hoping to bring back as many of the bands, vendors, sponsors, VIP’s and patrons planned for 2020 (canceled two days before the start.) The challenge now is funding for 2022, since everything was paid for ahead of the 2020 cancellation.

The first few days, weeks, inevitably months after lockdown FDGD did their best to mitigate the tremendous financial impact, paid everyone who worked, and even some due to contractual agreements who did not provide services. Our sponsors, vendors, bands, event participants, The Town of Nederland, and our incredible attendees have been instrumental in their support of our efforts as well as Tebo Properties and local businesses people pitching in to allow FDGD to sell merchandise which has been our lifeline in the past year. 

We are waiting to see if FDGD receives assistance from the SVOG stimulus, Save our Stages, passed in December which would allow FDGD to recover enough of the losses in 2020 to go on. If that funding doesn’t happen, we’d likely turn to crowdfunding. 

Over the last year, people from all over the world have reached out and we are so lucky to have such a unique brand and event that is unique to Colorado. We’d love to see an FDGD vending machine with media and merchandise at Denver International Airport, of course, it would look like a TuffShed and a museum or art space memorializing Bredo’s story and celebrations over the decades, these all require funding and with the cancellation two days before the 2020 event, we are crossing our fingers and hoping for the best going forward.

While keeping an eye on restrictions and safety concerns, we are also looking into having a Melt Down Get Down  one-day ice-breaker event, possibly in late summer.

Stay Tuned & Freeze on!

(Originally published in the March 11, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)