John Scarffe, Nederland. The Town of Nederland lit up the night during the annual Nederland Holiday Lighting Ceremony on December 4, 2020, and Santa and Mrs. Claus appeared. The ceremony began with Ben Sporlenski playing a single guitar instrumental in front of Town Hall. 

Nederland Mayor Kristopher Larsen welcomed attendees to the first and hopefully the last of virtual Holiday Lighting Ceremonies. The year 2020 has thrown wrenches to the Town, but nothing is going to stop the town of Nederland from celebrating the holidays. 

Larsen said they had special guests here to celebrate the final months of 2020. He thanked Nicki Dunn with Nederland Public Works and the Downtown Development Authority for more lights. 

The Nederland Downtown Development Authority granted $5,000 from their Special Events Fund to purchase holiday lights and displays that will be put up around Town. 

“It has been dark in many ways this year, but this light is the hope that we have done such a good job of supporting our town, and next year we will be back with twice as much fun,” Larsen said. 

The Town has all come together this year. “We wish you on behalf of myself and the Nederland Board of Trustees the happiest of holidays.”

Attendees counted down, 5 4 3 2 and 1 and the lights came on, while Ben played Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus then appeared, and Santa Claus said the lights are beautiful and thanked the Town for the warm welcome. 

Santa Claus said he had special guests who are elves from the North Pole. Throughout Town, people should look for candy cane displays. 

“If you’ve been good boys and girls, you might get to see Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus on December 12, at Citywide Bank.” 

The event then moved to the decorated Nederland Visitor Center, and they showed the candy cane bundles town residents should find they are looking for. They encouraged residents to go around town and see all the beautiful lights at the Visitor Center and on the walking and driving bridges. 

Join in the Town-wide Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt and see how many you can find on display around town, post it on Facebook and be entered to win prizes. Take Holiday photos at photo stations around town to spread the holiday cheer. A contactless pickup of Holiday Mountain Market purchases is scheduled for December 12 and 13. More details to be posted at MountainPeakLife.org. 

The evening ended with Ben playing the guitar again in front of the Visitor Center.

(Originally published in the December 10, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)