Barbara Lawlor,  Nederland.   Does 20 years of working hard and having a heck of a good time result in perfection? Last weekend, at the 20th Annual NedFest, it was a slam dunk, probably one the happiest weekends folks have had at the event over the years.

NedFest was rocky at first, with residents applying pressure to the Nederland Town Board to slap all kinds of rules and regulations. And at that time, the “don’t” were needed. There were parking issues, open container drinking issues, illegal marijuana, too loud too late music and trespassers, concert lovers looking for holes in the fences.

But things worked out and beginning last Friday night, August 24, NedFest organizers put on a happy grateful alive event.

Concert goers swayed to the music, held children on their shoulder, swiveled hula hoops, held rainbows of color cool clothing up to the bodies and checked out the sparkly capes. The musk of marijuana drifted over the crowd as they hugged their annual fest friends.

The swirl of food scent was irresistible as barbecues sizzled on the grilled and beer foam effervesced into the dust raised by the dancers.

Sponsors of the festival set up their booths. Having leisure hours to visit with strangers, to sprawl out on a blanket with new friends and to share children was a luxury.

Most of all, everyone just seemed so happy, no sharp edges. Although Nederland Police Department officers, Colorado Mounted Rangers and Peaceful Security were in attendance, their presence was mostly benign.

Weather is always an issue at an outdoor event in Nederland, bu as the musicians tuned up on Friday night, frothy whipped cream clouds caught the last rays of the sun. Flash Mountain Flood revved the crowd and their energy continued into the Super Jam which caught on like fireworks; the dazzling spotlights playing on the back of the stage.

On Saturday morning, the families walked through town with their children and neighbors. A gentle gray sky covered the tents as Electric Toast began the afternoon music and then local favorites, New Family Dog, brought out tunes that everyone knew.

At 5:30 p.m.., a low bass beat set the rhythm for a parade of drummers carrying large, fringed, multi-hued balloons and umbrellas attached to humans, large and small gyrating elbows and knees and tambourines moved behind the belly dancers.

Melvin Seals and JGB took the mellow, older than usual revelers on a trip back through time. Jack-o-Lantern smiles beamed from happy faces.

Electric Hot Tuna with Steve Kimock, Jack Cassaday and Jorma Kaukonen, Original members of the Jefferson Airplane, took it to the top in Saturday night’s hot seat and moved the fest to the Caribou Room.

Sweet Lilies and Vince Herman were the main spot of Sunday afternoon.

Herman is one of the orginating musician of the NedFest who has seen it grow and evolve and change from a unknown child on the doorstep to a loved and accepted member of the Ned family.

If 20 years is perfect and happy, we know NedFest has grown up.

Congratulations to the producers of our signature summer event.