NEDERLAND - There’s only one day of the year when downtown Nederland becomes packed with people dressed head to toe in their best red, white, and blues, all amped by the sounds of the Barker Dam Brass Band while anxiously awaiting for the streets to feature bicyclists, classic cars, Smokey Bear, and the Peak to Peak area’s most famous yak—it’s the 34th Annual 4th of July Parade and Potluck. 

 Local municipal staff worked hard to put on one of the greatest parades in Boulder County: a parade so great it circles twice. You couldn’t possibly miss the parade’s emcee, Brian Biggs of the Nederland Utilities Department, who wore his trademark rainbow coat, along with a radiant pink cowboy hat.

Town staff didn’t just help to organize and manage the amazing event, but also rode in the parade. Parade VIPs included Town Manager Jonathan Cain and Mayor Billy Giblin, who, along with their families, tossed candy to the crowd. 

Alongside some of Nederland’s amazing veterans, the parade featured local firefighters from the Nederland and Timberline Fire Protection Districts, Sugarloaf Fire Department, and employees from the U.S. Forest Service (including their famous bear mascot). 

Ace Hardware’s tiny Corvette didn’t just join a long line of impressive vehicles, but also joined Nederland’s many other businesses and organizations, including Carousel of Happiness, Nederland Food Pantry, and the Mountain People’s Co-op, in marching in the parade and proudly waving their flags. 

The Nederland Middle Senior High School Mountain Bike Team was one of the newest additions to the parade, as were the friendly goats and pigs from Tails of Two Cities Animal Sanctuary, who were all kept in line by Nederland’s biggest star, Murray the Yak. 

And, as has become a tradition eagerly anticipated by the Nederland community, the staff from Town’s Parks, Streets, and Utilities departments held a potluck barbecue at Chipeta Park, where hundreds of burgers and hot dogs were grilled.

Later that evening a special Nederland Summer Concert Series event was held in the park, featuring the music of Andy Thorn & Friends, and Foggy Mountain Spaceship.