Deb D’Andrea, Nederland.  People talk about how America is losing its community feel; how people aren’t helping one another as in years past; that we don’t lend a hand in times of need, and in some instances don’t know our neighbor enough to say “hi.” I was drawn to Nederland because of the unique way this Town embraces their sense of Community, this sense that was clearly demonstrated by all the people who helped bring back our Nederland Fireworks.

Without you, the Nederland Old Fashioned July 4th Fireworks and Festival would not have materialized; I was merely the Conductor of the orchestra helping fulfill the vision you supported so generously through financial donations. Without you, it would not have happened.

I am sending a huge thank you and shout out to all who supported this vision, a vision that was seen from Peak to Peak, porch to porch, BBQ to BBQ, and from Guercio Field where the first Annual July 4th Festival was held!

Thank you to…

    •    The Town of Nederland for your generous support in so many ways!

Ned PD was incredibly helpful throughout the day finding a lost child, moving barricades for the Parade and guiding people away from the drop zone. I was thrilled Public Works mowed the field, moved rocks and weed wacked – it looked great!!

    •    The Nederland DDA for supporting the Fireworks and businesses you represent!

    •    Wild Mountain Smokehouse & Brewery for creatively raising monies during Frozen Dead Guy Days and for your generous financial support year round!

    •    Caribou Village, Tebo Properties for sponsoring the Boot Camp Challenge and other games for all to enjoy for free!

    •    Back Country Pizza for your generous financial support even in the midst of your remodel!

    •    Dillon Developers for your generous financial support!

    •    Barbara Hardt of The Mountain-Ear & Doug Armitage of Brightwood Music for your generous financial support along with hours of volunteer work prior to and during the event!

    •    4TheLuvOfDogz, well, that’s me…my dogs were in the Parade and thanked me for not having them on the field during the fireworks!!

    •    ASK Accounting, Mandy Kneer for being my right hand person, overseeing all July 4th accounting, offering free backstage beverages to the bands who signed up to play for free, and for volunteering with her Mom selling beer on July 4th!

   •    The Carousel of Happiness for holding a Fundraiser, for supporting the Rotary Club, for your generous financial donation, and for having a great Parade presence!

    •    Accounting Specialists for your generous financial donation!

    •    Centennial Bank for offering water bottles as part of our ‘thank you’ package to musicians who signed up to play for free and for your generous financial support!!

   •    Dam Liquor for providing us with beer to sell on July 4th to help raise monies for 2016 Fireworks and for your generous financial support!

    •    Hygiene Propane Services for your generous financial support and for being a great support to our community!

    •    Peak Performance Realty for your generous financial support and community presence!

    •    Pioneer Inn for your generous support and offering a place to meet with the Rotary Club who had a July 4th Booth!

    •    Salto Coffee Works for your generous financial support!

   •    Heather Hatwan of the Stage Stop for offering a free dinner as part of our ‘thank you’ package to the musicians who signed up to play for free and for your generous financial support!

   •    Very Nice Brewing for your generous financial support!!

   •    Peak to Peak Healthy Communities, July 4th for providing us the ability to be a 501c3.

Thank you to Fiona Higgins for singing the National Anthem kicking off the Parade! That was amazing!!

Thank you to Heather Taylor for designing an amazing poster that truly captured the character of this Old Fashioned July 4th. I can’t wait to see next years poster!!

Thank you to Chris Bauer for being so creative and unique in your Parade Announcing and for M/Cing the music and Pie Eating contest at Guercio Field.

Thank you to Megan Riley of the Stage Stop Market & Café for sponsoring the Pie Eating Contest which was totally fun and so messy!

Thank you to Chris Perret of Dr. Fix It’s 2nd Street Garage for Refereeing the Human Foosball and then doing field security!

Thank you Burr’s Construction for setting up, breaking down and for providing the Human Foosball court, it was enjoyed by many!!

Thank you to David Wesley who built the ramps and brought his RC cars! The kids (and adults) loved it!!

Thank you to the musicians who signed up to play for free!

    •    Barker Dam Brass Band in the Parade

    •    Flash Mountain Flood, from Boulder

    •    Kyle Williams, from Jamestown

    •    Kokopelli, from the Jamestown

 •    Dana Stokes, from Nederland

   •    Pine Dwellers, from Nederland

    •    Bongo Love, Kokopelli and more from Boulder, Jamestown and Nederland

Thank you to Mike Collins for bringing us music!!  For building, setting up, and breaking down the stage; for providing all the stage sound equipment, for running sound for the day and for keeping the music going in the face of torrential downpours, hail and electricalshock! You rocked it!!

Thank you Steve McCollum for the huge trailer that provided the main stage!

Thank you to ASK Accounting, the CoOp and the Deli for providing free food and drinks to our musicians backstage!

Thank you to Jim McCaid for our Liquor Insurance; to Western Disposal for trash/recycling/compost; to Ron Mitchell and Jason for the Event Parking signs; and to Larry Sterling of Gilpin County for delivering and picking up all our fencing!!

Thank you to the Teen Center for working hand in hand with me!

Thank you to the Volunteers who helped me soo much to make this Event happen – you were awesome and I couldn’t have done it without YOU!!!

Thank you to everyone who had a Booth and endured the crazy weather!

Thank you’s to Tenaya & Gary Pieper, June & Richard Paquette, Dannie & Elliot Steele, Eileen & Wayne Mueske, James Elder, High Peaks Art Fair, Ryan & Laurie Roberts, New Moon Bakery, Business Connection, John Litz, Margaret Deford Yansura, Fred Boyle, FDGD Foosball, the Nederland Thanksgiving Dinner, Elizabeth & Philip Sutton, the Boogard Foundation, Dallas & Diana Glasser, Christine Deignan, Bill Ikler, Josia Masingale, Jason Suss & Jackie Jones, Jean Reynolds, Rustic Moose, Crafted in Colorado, Lee & Richard Tillotson, Angique Excavating, Robert & Susan Wylie, Ron Mitchell, Peak to Peak Imports, Nederland Feed, Gail Eddy, Cynthia Edwards, Timothy O’Grady, Jilene Norman, Shirin Chahal, Janet Edwards, Kathleen Barr, Margaret & David Freeman, and Steven Karowe for you financial donations. Thank you to the Business connection for printing the awesome Posters and to the B&F for a screaming deal on all the ice we needed; and to Peak Wine & Spirits.

And thank you, you reading this, you who donated, you who participated in the Event! This Nederland Old Fashioned July 4th Fireworks and Festival was brought to you by you; and paid for by the People and Businesses of Nederland. This is truly for the People by the People.