Barbara Lawlor, Nederland.     At a meeting in the Pioneer Inn last week, a group of people decided that if Nederland wants to have fireworks next year, the fundraising process has to be ignited now.

After Friday, the Fourth of July, the grumbling from the businesses and residents could be heard bobbing on Barker's waves—the waves that were not showered with the remnants of a brilliant, joyous fireworks show.

The parade had been a red, white, and blue stream of fire engines, vintage vehicles, a few walkers, a big brass band and hundreds of spectators. Following the parade was an aerial performance by the Frequent Fliers, a handful of vendors, a real cream pie pie-eating contest and live music at the Guercio Ball Field.

Across the street, the Nederland Fire Protection District hosted a water hose fight. In mid-afternoon, the rain came down and sent everyone scurrying for shelter, and then home. The Nederland Fourth of July was over.

People who came for a fun-filled day were bummed. Many Ned residents drove to Black Hawk for their double-barreled fireworks presentation. But visitors did not stay and they did not spend money in Ned's dead on the Fourth of July town.

Historically, fireworks over Barker began with the Nederland Fire Department volunteers.  After the original instigator, fire Chief Flash Friedman, died, Mary Ann Rodak, his wife, continued the show and donation boots were set up and offered at the roundabout for generous travelers to fill. When the firefighters stopped being the producers of the show, Bill and Marie Allen kept it going, putting up their own money as collateral for the order.

In 2011, Barbara Hardt led the fundraising effort and a professional company was hired to put the show together and light the fuses. Last year's cancellation due to the fire danger in the mountains was understandable, but not having fireworks this year was due to the simple fact that no one had offered to lead the fundraising effort to pay for the show.

Last Wednesday, Hardt and a group of people determined to have fireworks next year sat around a table at the PI and brainstormed the beginnings of a plan. They agreed that they had to get the issue on the Nederland Board of Trustees agenda as soon as possible.

Boulder County grants to the town, heretofore handed out to non-profit organizations, now go to the Ned Web, the town's effort to keep spending local.

Hardt suggested that it would be a good idea to figure out how much loss of revenue there was because of little Fourth of July revenue this year. She also informed the group that the Peak to Peak Healthy Communities Project will be the fiscal sponsor of the 2015 event.

"We need to have activities to get people to stay all day," she said.

But first, coming up with $25,000 between now and next Fourth of July is the challenge for not just the organizing group, but for all town entities and residents who want to see the fireworks return. "That is just $1,500 a month," said Hardt.

Starting now means that the group can apply for grants available for community events, with a goal of half by December 31. It was also suggested that the group seek people who are well-to-do, have donate-able funds, who could offer larger amounts of money. The possibility of asking community festivals to contribute to the event was one consideration.

Individuals who would like to figure in donations for their 2014 tax returns have until January 1 to send in their checks.

"The more money we have for the Fourth of July, the more events will available to us. That could also mean money that could go toward the next year's fireworks."

Those wanting to donate to the 2015 Nederland Fireworks Fund can do so at the Mutual of Omaha Bank in Nederland; the Peak to Peak Healthy Communities Project, Box 668, Nederland, 80466; or, to volunteer, at debdandrea@gmail.com.