Locals celebrating locals: Kaleidoscope Gallery’s coloring page provided the perfect distraction during a cold and snowy afternoon. [/caption]

The official Nederdays Spring Thaw-Out trail pass reads “Farewell snow, hello Spring!” And though for the days leading up to the event it appeared that warmer seasons were upon us, on Saturday, April 27, 2024, Nederdays brought with it more snow, as well as smiles.

The snow was not a welcome sight for some. Many members of the community had already begun to express how “done” they were with it, though such April showers are to be expected here in the mountains.

But what the snow brought us was a short reprieve. With the ski mountain closed and the onslaught of summer tourists right around the corner, it became a weekend for locals. And locals celebrating locals is exactly what Nederdays is about.

Nederland’s Public Engagement Manager Peter Cacek approached Nederdays in 2024 to encompass several smaller, more focused and themed events, each still with the intent to drive customer traffic to our local businesses.

As with the inaugural Nederdays in 2023, local businesses were encouraged to participate and to host their own activities.

For the first Nederdays event of 2024, Cacek brought back the popular hot cocoa trail from last year, and set the theme around embracing the coming of warmer weather and “thawing out” together as a community. It’s far too easy to remain hermiting in our homes, but the mud months, the shoulder months, are when Nederland’s businesses rely on local patronage the most.

Unfortunately, the snowfall did add a little irony to the Nederdays Spring Thaw-Out, though the temperatures were nowhere near as low as last year’s 20 degree weather with 40 mile per hour winds. In fact, the weather on Saturday was quite pleasant, especially later on in the day.

The accumulation on early Saturday morning was enough for some businesses along the Spring Thaw-Out trail map to either open late or not open at all.

“At this rate, I’m starting to think that I can use Nederdays to call in intense weather patterns when needed,” Cacek joked in a post-Nederdays email to participating businesses.

For those who were willing to brave yet another snow “storm,” the fun started at the Visitors Center, where attendees got their free trail pass on a colorful lanyard featuring Nederland’s new official logo.

Attendees also were given a trail map, which featured an illustrated map of Nederland with all 11 participating businesses pinned on it. In addition to giving out some free stickers, the Visitors Center also had official Nederdays ceramic mugs available for purchase for $10.

The map led attendees to all corners of downtown Nederland and to events that took place at different times throughout the day.

Knotted Root was offering buy one, get one 50% off of their merchandise and beer, while just down the road a bit the Nederland Community Library was hosting an all-day book sale, as well as providing special giveaways of free books.

The Mountain-Ear’s downtown office was open to the public, where they could receive free merch. Just down East 1st Street, Mountain Goat Tees had a sale on hoodies and sweaters, which was a perfect opportunity for those out in the snow traversing the hot cocoa trail.

Attendees could also warm up by zipping over to the Caribou Village Shopping Center and grabbing a sample of hot mulled wine, or stopping by the Kaleidoscope Fine Arts Gallery for a sip of hot cocoa while admiring the presented artwork.

Danielle Crouse, manager of the Kaleidoscope Gallery, also provided a beautiful coloring page, in collaboration with painter Karina Vogt, for attendees to take home and color, which was the perfect relaxing diversion from all-day snowfall and electricity brownouts.

Brightwood Music had some sweet treats for those stopping by along the trail; Wild Bear Nature Center hosted Spring-themed crafts for kids, while providing customers a 10% discount, and Very Nice Brewing Company hosted live music from 5 to 7 p.m.

The Carousel of Happiness was also giving away Nederdays buttons, which was the perfect excuse for stopping in and going for a ride. No matter how old you are or how many times you’ve ridden on it, the Carousel of Happiness is truly the highlight of any day and of any event. A ride can bring a smile to your face regardless of whatever stormy weather you may be facing in your life.

Hopefully the weather won’t be a factor in the next Nederdays event that Cacek has planned. The next Nederdays will expand on the “Day of Art” event, which was a successful 2023 showcase of local artists created and managed by the Nederland Community Center, Public Art Committee, and Nederland Community Presbyterian Church.

“We’re looking at doing guided tours of the murals around Town, a craft show at the community center, and other art-themed things around Town,” Cacek said.

The Neder-Day of Art is planned for June 22, 2024. For more information contact Peter Cacek at engagement@nederlandco.org.