NCA Annual 4th of July Parade

Businesses, community groups, and others handed out candy, flowers, flyers, books, t-shirts, and other mementos as the Niwot Community Association's Annual 4th of July Parade got off to a rousing start, with a full slate of entries for the first time since 2019.

The parade lined up on Meadowdale Drive for the first time, and kicked off the festivities at 11:00 a.m. with the Color Guard and Scout Troop 161 leading the way. The Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band performed the Star Spangled Banner when the parade stopped in front of Cottonwood Square Shopping Center.

Grand Marshal Sheriff Joe Pelle and his wife Stephanie Pelle occupied the first car in the parade, followed by Curtis Johnson, who is poised to become Pelle's successor after winning the Democratic primary, and retired sheriff and Niwot resident George Epp. The parade made its way west on Niwot Road to 2nd Avenue, ending at Murray Street.

The Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band warmed up the crowd with renditions of "Yankee Doodle Boy" and "You're a Grand Old Flag." Parade participants in the middle of the lineup rocked to the Niwot High School Marching Band's energetic version of "Louie, Louie, " with the Niwot High School Cheerleaders marching along in full display of their spirit and enthusiasm.

Hundreds of excited children and adults joined in the fun and festivities, lining the sidewalks to cheer on the line-up of walkers, animals, bikes, tractors, fire trucks, and antique vehicles. Fire engines, including Mountain View Fire Rescue Engine #10 and Rusty's Fire Brigade Old Engine 3, were guided along the route with colorful lights flashing.

Representatives of the business community included the Niwot Market, Blessings Day Spa, Belle Terre Floral, Inkberry Books, and We Love Trees. Interspersed throughout the parade were musicians from LOCO Ukuleles and the Lefthand Highlanders Bagpipe Band. Car enthusiasts of all ages cheered the 1932 DeSoto, the 1978 Red Landcruiser and a wide variety of other vintage cars on display by the Niwot Chiefs Cool Car Club and the Wranglerettes.

The NCA's traffic control committee was out in full force, directing traffic and keeping the parade safe. The Niwot Community Association Parade Committee, Kim Hawksworth, Julie Breyer, Kathy Koehler, and Diane Zimmermann, were pleased with the turnout, both from the parade participants and the crowd gathered along the parade route.