By Mary Headley

Niwot Nostalgia Days is lucky to have Happy Schaffner, a committed community member who keeps the parade organized and entertaining. "I really like helping with fun activities to keep our little town going," said Happy, who is responsible for the parade for the third time this September. "It’s great to see our parade get bigger and bigger each year. Last year we had 52 entrants, and we’ll probably have more this year." It is because of her hard work that Happy is awarded the September Left Hand Laurel.

Happy typically begins her work about three months before the event, which this year will be on Sept. 15. She encourages organizations to participate. "I try to call on the new businesses in town first," she stated, "as this is a great way for them to advertise, especially with small give-away items." Participants should try to use either a nostalgic or community-related theme, Happy comments, but entrants can be from outside Niwot; Longmont businesses frequently participate. 

Although a float is always fun, Happy noted that organizations don’t have to do one to participate. Kids with decorated bicycles or costumed pets are welcome. In fact, entrants are given a great deal of freedom to decide on what format they want to use. Although there is no entry fee, participants must fund their own entries. Happy said that she often has unscheduled entrants who show up on the day of the parade, and she is usually able to accommodate them.

The morning of the parade is predictably a hectic time. Since there are often last-minute changes, Happy doesn’t assign the final marching order until just before the parade begins. Then she has to quickly figure out how best to order the participants. She likes to vary the types of entries, but she also faces certain constraints, such as how close certain horses can be to marching bands. 

Happy has been involved in community affairs since she moved to Niwot from California seven years ago. She chaired the Nostalgia Days event in 1996, and was actively involved in the Niwot Community Association (NCA), including being an area rep for two years. She chairs the NCA Cup of Cheer Luncheon, a holiday event for female newcomers to Niwot. Happy also regularly volunteered in school when her two children, Carly and Dash, were younger. Carly is now a senior at the University of Arizona and Dash, who just graduated from Niwot High School, will start Front Range Community College this fall.

Happy is a substitute teacher in the St. Vrain Valley School District, and her husband Yogi is an engineer at Emulex. When she is not busy with community events, Happy enjoys playing bridge and bunko with friends. "I really love doing the Nostalgia Days parade," she said. "Unfortunately," she notes, "when you organize the parade, you don’t really get to see it and enjoy it." 

But the community of Niwot does, and thanks Happy for her fine work.

If you would like to be in this year’s Nostalgia Days Parade, call Happy Schaffner at 303-652-2557.
 

September’s Left Hand Laurel Happy Schaffner (left) undertakes the big job of organizing the Nostalgia Days Parade. Her two friends, Nettie Penman and John Penman, help her each year.