NEDERLAND - There was a particular kind of magic in the air on Halloween night in Nederland, a sort of rallying spirit, where residents of all ages came alive to celebrate the macabre, and to spread joy as a community.

Large swaths of costumed friends and neighbors flooded through the streets of Old Town. As the blue light of dusk descended on the neighborhood, so did the cute and colorful hordes of candy-hunters, who had to bravely face such terrors as the Wicked Witch of the West, the Beast (formerly known as a prince), and a couple of Halloweiners, along with their wiener dog. 

At the end of Old Town, on the corner of West Boulder and Highway 119, trick-or-treaters were invited to check out the grand reopening of the Mountain Man Outdoor Store.

Joining that familiar sunglasses-wearing Sasquatch on the front porch were some mystical dragons, beckoning candy seekers to the Mountain Man’s porch, where the Nederland Food Pantry was providing candy, hot cocoa and coffee, and cupcakes from Peace, Love, and Cake.

Mountain Man 2.0 wasn’t the only business celebrating a resurrection from the Lakeview Fire. Just down the street at The Vault, formerly the Citywide Bank building, Brightwood Music was celebrating its new location with a long-running Halloween tradition—kazoos!

The spooky sounds of kazoos could be heard echoing down every street, all throughout the dark and chilly night. Down East 1st Street, where several businesses handed out candy and hosted activities for all the little ghouls and goblins, at the Mountain People’s Co-Op a woodland sprite was painting faces. 

The unbridled creativity of the Nederland community was out in full force, as residents strutted in dynamic costumes from terrifying plant monsters and magical young witches to a gaggle of mad scientists and a roaming Darth Vader. 

Luckily, there were opportunities for those of all ages to show off their elaborate designs, including at the Carousel of Happiness, where even the animals got into the Halloween spirit, and at TEENS, Inc., where their annual costume party was held.

Meanwhile, up at the Nederland Community Center, the Nederland Area Seniors (NAS) held their Halloween Costume Contest. The seniors pulled out all the stops, showing up to their weekly luncheon dressed as detectives, cowgirls, ancient spirits, marshmallow men, and even a bag of leaves. But it was Charlene Morrison’s White Rabbit that took home the prize.  

A special thanks goes to NAS Director Reba Mitchell, Word of Mouth Catering, and to the many volunteers who help to organize the Senior Luncheons, and to NAS member Jim Navratil for supplying the prize for the contest. 

For those Halloween-lovers who are young at heart, there were many “late night” events in town tailored to adult fans of all things ghastly and ghoulish, including a retro ski lodge-themed Haunted Mountain Party at Ned General—featuring a live DJ and live bands, costume contest and burlesque show—and a Mad Masquerade concert up at The Caribou Room.