NCA board: cars only at 4th of July parade

Niwot Community Association board members are sticking to their plans to hold a July 4th motorcade instead of a full-blown parade, even though Boulder County has loosened COVID-19 restrictions on large outdoor events.

"We are erring on the side of caution this year," said parade coordinator Julie Breyer. "We want people watching from their front yards along the motorcade route to be as comfortable as possible."

In addition, the NCA board also plans to have each area representative host an outdoor ice cream social in their area following the motorcade. The social will feature individually wrapped ice cream treats for residents to enjoy.

"We want to bring the parade to the community this year in a way where everyone feels safe and can enjoy it," NCA president David Limbach said at the board's May 5 meeting. "And we also think people will enjoy seeing their neighbors in a safe context."

In 2020, the July 4 parade was cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions, so NCA board members are pleased to be able to hold the motorcade. The parade subcommittee is tweaking the motorcade route a bit from the one used for the recent holiday and spring motorcades, Breyer said. "We'll let people know what the final route is closer to the event," she said.

Since it is a motorcade, the July 4 parade will not feature its usual walking groups, horseback riders, animals, and kids on decorated bikes and wagons and in strollers. "It is vehicles only this year," Breyer said.

However, one tradition will continue -- the July 4 parade will feature a Grand Marshal. Each year, NCA board members choose someone who has contributed to Niwot and its residents through service to the community. The 2019 Grand Marshal was Patty Strecker, who co-founded and coordinates the Niwot Patriotic Cookie Moms and is a longtime volunteer with the Niwot Nifties 4-H Club. The NCA board has made its 2021 selection, but won't make public the name of the recipient until closer to the event.

Breyer said that some parade participants have already signed up, but there's room for more. Anyone interested in participating in the July 4 motorcade is encouraged to contact Breyer by email at [email protected], or Limbach at [email protected].

Board member elections

NCA members elected officers and area representatives at their April annual meeting. All are elected to a two-year term. Those elected include Julie Breyer, vice president; Terry Larsen, treasurer; Johnny Barrett, membership and director at large; Laura Skaggs, Niwot LID representative and director at large; Kathy Koehler, director at large; Area 1 representative Jeff Knight; Area 3 representative Pat Murphy; Area 5 representative John Barto; and Area 7 representative Liz Marr.

Limbach announced that NCA 2021 membership has reached 408 households. The group aims for about 400 households each year.