Thanks to the dedication of the Town of Nederland’s municipal staff, the 4th of July Parade and Potluck was a great success.

While the Barker Dam Brass Band bombastically blared perfect patriotic fanfare for their 33rd year, members of the Peak to Peak community, dressed and adorned in red, white, and blue, came equipped with folding chairs so as to fully enjoy the spectacle.

Local firefighter Steve Cepek emceed for his second year, introducing each group marching in the parade and entertaining the crowd. Goats, yaks, dogs, and even fish marched in the parade. Nederland youth rode their decorated bikes and waved to the cheering crowd, followed by Nederland’s honored veterans, waving from a retired military vehicle.

There were all sorts of vehicles in the parade, from beautifully restored rustic and antique tractors, jeeps, microbuses, and even a motorcycle with a sidecar, to big utility vehicles from the Nederland and Timberline Fire Protection Districts, Sugarloaf Fire Department, and the US Forest Service, as well as from local excavator High Performance Earthworks.

Local businesses and non-profit organizations were presented in the parade, waved to the crowd and tossed them candy. Ace Hardware, Boogie Records, the Nederland Food Pantry, Nederland Mountain Movers, and Dutch exchange students and librarians representing Nederland’s sister library were the candy suppliers.

The skies stayed clear and the breeze remained calm as the Independence Day celebration continued into Chipeta Park, where the staff from the Town’s Parks, Streets, and Utilities departments held a potluck BBQ. The Nederland Community Library hosted games and events, including a watermelon-eating contest.

This old-fashioned Fourth perfectly matched the spirit of contemporary Nederland.