30 Years of Niwot Nostalgia Day

BY LIZ EMMETT-MATTOX

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Fortified with coffee and flapjacks from the pancake breakfast in Cottonwood Square, residents of Niwot and surrounding areas lined Second Avenue for the annual Niwot Nostalgia Day Parade. Employees (past and present) of the Niwot Post Office were honored as this year’s Grand Marshals and enjoyed perfect convertible weather as they kicked off the parade in style.

Robin Abb, owner of Rockin’ Robin’s took the microphone and announced each group as the parade passed in front of the Grange. The Left Hand Valley Courier duck was a big hit as she went from one side of the street to the other doling out hugs to the littlest parade-goers.

In honor of its fifth anniversary, the Courier Duck Race had five winners. The first place duck dinner, catered by Chef Dale Lamb, was won by Caroline Haller. Second place winner Vinko Valencio received a gift certificate to Niwot Massage. Third place and a Colterra gift certificate went to David Wiebel. Laura Beausire received the fourth place prize, a gift certificate to Niwot Tavern. Lynn Anderson, whose duck came in last, won a pair of gift certificates for the Winot and the Eye Opener.

Photo by Liz Emmett-Mattox
Nostalgia Day grand marshals were past and present Niwot Post Office employees. Clockwise from left: Stephanie Pelle, Vickie Gensler, Jodie Dionysius, John Waida, and Edie Boone Thielen.

The $1,510 raised by the duck race will be donated to the Niwot Cultural Arts Association. Bruce Warren, president of the NCAA said, “The Duck Race funds will help pay for two projects of the Niwot Cultural Arts Association which are very important to Niwot. Half of the money will go toward funding development of the park at 79th and Niwot Road where the tree carvings are located.

“We have applied for a planning grant through Great Outdoors Colorado, which will hopefully fund most of the cost of planning trails and connections through the park. These funds will help us make up the difference for the planning phase, and to the extent that funds remain, will be used to fund additional sculptures and art in the park.

“The other half of the duck race funds will help pay for the costs of promoting the First Friday Art Walk events, which have been very popular. So far we have limited funding from the All-State Foundation for advertising and promotion. These funds will allow us to do more to promote the events.”

Although there was no tree sculpture dedication this year, that doesn’t mean there wasn’t any new art to be admired. Artist Bre Theilen has been working with a group of volunteers on a mural that covers the walls of the pedestrian underpass at Niwot Road and Sawtooth Lane.

Immediately after the duck race, Theilen, along with NCA president Heidi Storz and Boulder County Transportation Coordinator George Gerstle, cut the ceremonial ribbon to the tunnel.

Storz was very pleased with how it all turned out. She said, “Nostalgia Day 2011 was marked by glorious weather, more than the usual number of parade surprises, and a lively dance crowd in the evening. A grand time was had by all. Great thanks to the Niwot Community Association and all the volunteers and sponsors for making the event possible for the 30th year in a row.”