Dancin’ with Santa: Santa Claus got into the groove at the Nederland 2023 Holiday Market, dancing with the ladies of Gea Dance to the Christmas classic “Santa Baby.”[/caption]

Through the steady snowfall and strong breezes over the weekend of December 2 and 3, 2023, area residents braved the weather and packed the parking lot of the Nederland Community Center to attend a town tradition, the Nederland Holiday Market.

Nederland’s Public Engagement Manager Peter Cacek organized the event for the Town of Nederland under its Nederdays banner, and through the coordination of over 50 vendors, and the help of volunteers, Cacek provided a memorable event full of holiday cheer and community magic.

Just upstairs in the Nederland Community Center, spread across the community room, gym, and dance studio, were vendors from all over the Peak to Peak region, offering their artwork, jewelry, ceramics, woodworking, leather goods, and knit and crocheted creations.

Attendees looking for health and wellness were offered a plethora of options, from lotions and soaps to lip gloss and chocolate-scented perfume. They also had the opportunity to add shining, shimmering multi-colored extensions to their hair. .

There were plenty of options for those sweet-toothed treat seekers as well, from sweet and refreshing chocolate peppermint cupcakes to crisp and buttery Peruvian cookies, while lovers of everything hot and spicy could check out locally made hot sauces and salsas.

Bright Heart Catering served delicious tamales, burritos, soups and salads for both days of the wellattended event. Augustina’s Winery offered a variety of their wines, while the Nederland Food Pantry served alcoholic seltzers and beers, with the proceeds benefiting their organization.

Non-profit organizations like the Nederland Community Library sold special themed book bundles, and representatives of TEENS, Inc. sold a variety of plants cultivated by their students.

Santa and Mrs. Claus visited the Holiday Market on both days and from noon to 2 p.m. took pictures, and requests for presents, with anyone who desired to sit with them. Santa even got limber with members of Gea Dance during a performance of the Christmas classic “Santa Baby.”

Gea Dance wasn’t the only dance troupe performing during the Holiday Market; Mountain Movers put on a holiday performance in the Backdoor Theater on Saturday morning, and could be seen shopping in their tutus all over the market.

Throughout the two-day event attendees were treated to 10 different acts, from the classic folk stylings of The Gael, to the masterful DJ spinning of GODLAZER, who blasted disco renditions of popular Christmas songs. On Sunday morning the Nederland High School Loquations got the gathering crowd into the holiday spirit, which was continued throughout the day by other spirited acts, including Revelation 19.

The efforts of Cacek and the Town of Nederland combined with the industrious nature of local artists and artisans, the friendly atmosphere created at the Nederland Community Center, and the infectious spirit of volunteers, performers, vendors, and enthusiastic shoppers, made for one of the year’s most successful and festive events.

After passing the torch to the Town for the Market and the success of this year’s Holiday Market, it’s clear that this event is in good hands moving into the future.