The vibrant colors of Nepal’s flag and the sound of traditional instruments filled the streets of Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday as Nepal Parade Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm and cultural pride. Organized by the Rocky Mountain Friends of Nepal (RMFN), the event showcased the rich cultural heritage, traditions, and identity of Nepal on foreign soil.
Nepal Parade Day
The Nepal Parade Day, first initiated in 2004 by Narayan Shrestha, former president of RMFN, has now become an annual tradition not only in Colorado but in several states across the United States. The Boulder City County Office officially recognized the event in its early days, making it a milestone celebration of Nepali diaspora culture.
This year’s celebration was organized around the Boulder Library premises, where members of the Nepali community, dressed in colorful traditional attire, paraded waving the Nepalese flag alongside the American flag. The parade featured traditional Nepali musical instruments, including the iconic Dhiṃe Baja played by members of the Newar community, along with cultural banners and organizational representations.
At the formal opening of the event, founder Narayan Shrestha shared the vision behind the parade. “Colorado’s natural beauty reminds us of Nepal, and as the Nepali population here grew, we felt the need to preserve and promote our culture among the younger generation,” he remarked. “From Boulder, the spirit of Nepal Parade Day has now reached across multiple states in the USA.”
Arjun Bagale, the immediate past president of RMFN, noted that the event this year was held on June 1 due to scheduling issues at the regular venue, which traditionally hosts the event in April to coincide with cultural memories of the Kathmandu Valley.
The program drew a large gathering of community leaders, organization representatives, youth, students, and families. Many participants wore traditional clothing from different regions of Nepal, including ethnic dresses representing the Newar, Gurung, and Magar communities, fostering a spirit of unity in diversity.
A key highlight of the event was the symbolic exchange of cultural values between Nepal and the United States. Through the waving of both nations’ flags, the participants honored their homeland while embracing the opportunities and multicultural spirit of America.
“This celebration is not just a parade; it is a message to the world that no matter where Nepalis go, they carry their culture, language, and identity with pride,” Shrestha emphasized. “We must pass on this tradition to our children so that the connection with Nepal remains strong for generations to come.”
The successful completion of Nepal Parade Day 2025 once again reaffirmed the commitment of the Nepali diaspora in Colorado to uphold their cultural roots while contributing positively to their host society.
