Fourth of July events in Colorado
Arvada’s “Celebration of the Spirit of America”
July 4: Festivities begin at 3 p.m. with a classic-car show, live music, a military display, children’s activities, booths and games, refreshments and more followed by a fireworks display at 9 p.m. Lutz/Stenger Sports Complex, 10664 W. 58th Ave., 720-898-7400,
Aspen/Snowmass
July 3-4: The “Old Fashioned Fourth of July” celebration includes walking and running races, children’s bicycle decorating, the 10th annual “America’s Birthday Carnival,” a parade, outdoor market, antique and arts fair, several concerts and more. Visit the website for details.
Aurora’s “Fourth of July Spectacular”
July 4: The ninth annual celebration includes performances by U.S. Army Ivy Bands from Fort Carson, with the High Altitude Rock Band performing at 6 p.m., followed by the Concert Band at 8 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Food and beverage booths included. Lawn on the west side of the Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 Alameda Parkway, . Recommended viewing locations include east of Potomac Street, south of East Sixth Avenue, north of Mississippi Avenue and west of Buckley Road.
Bandimere Speedway
July 3: The “Jet Car Nationals & Family Festival” includes live music, games, contests, food and more in the pit area. The track will feature more than 300 local racers in a variety of competitions. Gates open at 8 a.m. for qualifying race trials, the family festival begins at 2 p.m. Patriotic opening ceremonies are at 6:30 p.m. with final eliminations and Jet Car Show at 7 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9:45 p.m. with live music by the Praise Singers. Visit the website for ticket information. 3051 S. Rooney Road in Morrison, 303697-6001, 800-664-UWIN (664-8946),
Bent’s Old Fort’s “Old-Fashioned Fourth”
July 4: The National Historic Site hosts an 1840s-style celebration with a parade, cannons, games, speeches, demonstrations and more, 1:30-5:30 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 children ages 6 to 12. National Park pass-holders and children 5 and under are free. Located 8 miles east of La Junta or 13 miles west of Las Animas on Colorado Highway 194, 719-383-5010,
Black Hawk’s “Boom Town Show”
July 4: The city will launch more than 12,500 shells with more than 2,850 shells during the grand finale. Begins at dusk.
Brighton’s Fourth of July
July 4: Bring blankets and lawn chairs and listen to music from DJ Tidalwave starting at 6 p.m. followed by Blackwater at 7 p.m. Fireworks begin at dusk. Friendship Park, Eighth Avenue and Southern Street, 720-685-7339,
Castle Rock’s “Rockin’ the Fourth: Red, White & Boom!”
July 4: The celebration begins at 6 p.m. with the presentation of the colors by a Marine Corps color guard and a military jet flyover. The variety/dance band TC and the Domestic Engineers perform, followed by the Castle Rock Radio Jungle Bus (children’s band) and the New Classics Band. A fireworks show begins at 9:30 p.m. Metzler Ranch Community Park, 4175 Trail Boss Road,
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
July 3-5: The 20th annual outdoor festival features works by 230 juried visual artists working in pottery, fiber, clay, photography, wood and metal along with food and music. Cherry Creek North,
Civic Center Sounds: Independence Eve Celebration
July 3: The Colorado Symphony Orchestra performs a free community concert featuring patriotic favorites by Copland, Gershwin, Sousa and others, 8:30 p.m. A light show and fireworks display are included. Civic Center, Broadway and Colfax Avenue,
Colorado Rapids
July 4: The 15th annual “4thFest Colorado” begins with a free Community Festival at 5 p.m. with live entertainment, children’s activities, family games and more. The Rapids play the New York Red Bulls at 7 p.m. followed by a performance by the local band Meese and a fireworks show. Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, 6000 Victory Way, , call
303-825- GOAL (4625) or visit colorado or for game tickets.
Colorado Swing Big Band
July 4: The full-size big band performs a patriotic pre-fireworks show for the Town of Windsor, 7-9:30 p.m. Fireworks follow at dusk. Boardwalk Community Park/Windsor Lake, 100 N. Fifth St., Windsor,
Copper Mountain’s “3 Rings”
July 2-4: A Fourth of July celebration follows the “3 Rings” of the Copper Environmental Foundation: “Connect, respect, protect.” Festivities include live music, a Conscious Carnival, children’s activities including the Primp My Ride Parade, interactive events and fireworks. There’s also Copper Mountain’s Half Marathon and Trail 10K, visit .
Crested Butte celebration
July 4: The day begins with a hot-air balloon rally from Jorgensen Park at 6 a.m. There’s also a pancake breakfast and the Run, Walk or Crawl. The annual Fourth of July parade begins at 11 a.m. down Elk Avenue. Festivities continue with the Wet Zone where fire trucks open up the hoses, live music and a fireworks display. Times, locations vary. Visit
Denver Outlaws at Invesco Field at Mile High
July 4: Festivities for the annual lacrosse 4th of July game begin at 5 p.m. as the Denver Outlaws team up again with The Park People to plant trees in a ceremony with local youth lacrosse teams and volunteers at the Sports Legends Mall on the south side of INVESCO Field. The planting is part of a pregame party that also includes discounted refreshments. The Outlaws take on the Chesapeake Bayhawks at 7 p.m. and fireworks follow. INVESCO Field at Mile High, 303-OUTLAWS (688-5297), ,
Durango’s “Salute to America”
July 4: Festivities include a pancake breakfast, Freedom Fun Run/Walk, “American Voices,” a public reading of major American documents organized by Fort Lewis College, a Kids-to-Kids Flea Market, family picnic and barbecue, a parade, music, dancing and fireworks.
Erie’s Firecracker 4K
July 4: The 4K (2.48 miles) run/walk begins at 8 a.m. at the Erie Community Park and heads down Erie Parkway and Briggs Street. Registration fees vary. A Fun Run for kids follows. Downtown Erie,
Estes Park weekend celebration
July 2-4: Traditional festivities include the annual pancake breakfast served July 3 at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church, 920 Big Thompson Ave., 7-10:30 a.m. The Arabian Horse Show begins at 8 a.m. July 2-4 at the Fairgrounds at Stanley Park. July 4 includes “The Coolest Car Show” in Bond Park, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Concerts are scheduled at 3 p.m. (Rocky Ridge Music Center) and 7 p.m. (Performance Park Amphitheater) followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. from the banks of Lake Estes.
Fireworks Feast in Glendale
July 3: Whole Foods Market hosts the third annual barbecue with live music, carnival games, face painting, entertainment, a magician and more, 5-9 p.m. Meals are $10, $5 for kids. Glendale fireworks begin at dusk. Whole Foods, 870 S. Colorado Blvd., 303-691-0101
Fort Collins’ celebration
July 4: The Downtown Business Association presents live music, a beer garden, food and children’s activities in Old Town Square, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Bands include Soul Proprietor at 11 a.m., the Informants at 1:30 p.m. and the 3 Twins at 4 p.m. There also will be “Old Fashioned July Fourth” activities including historic games and food at the Avery House, 328 W. Mountain Ave. Fireworks begin over Sheldon Lake at 9:30 p.m. Free shuttle service is available beginning at 5:30 p.m. 970-484-6500,
Four Mile Historic Park’s “Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration”
July 4: Festivities include visits from Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Uncle Sam, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, live music by the Denver Concert Band and other bands, games, children’s crafts and horse-drawn wagon rides, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $7 adults, $4 ages 7-17 and seniors 65+, free for military, age 6 and under and FMHP members. 715 Forest St., 720865-0800,
Fourth of July Twang Fest
July 4: Gold Hill Inn hosts a barbecue and concert with Halden Wofford & the Hi-Beams, Sweet Sunny South, Long Road Home and Kort McCumber, noon-5 p.m. $15 for concert, additional $12 for food, children under 12 half price. 401 Main St., Gold Hill, 303-4436461,
Frisco Art Festival
July 3-4: The second annual Downtown Frisco Art Festival features works by local, regional and national artists, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission. 304 Main St., Frisco,
Georgetown’s “Family Festival”
July 4: Festivities include a 5K race/stroll at 8 a.m., parade at 11 a.m., barbecue in City Park at noon, Bucket Brigade races at 2 p.m. downtown, bingo at the Community Center at 6 p.m. and fireworks at dusk. The Loop Railroad will run on its regular schedule with a special fireworks train at 7 p.m. Call 888-456-6777 for reservations. Georgetown, 303-569-2888, 800-472-8230
Green Valley Ranch concert and fireworks
July 4: Jakarta, a nine-piece horn band that combines rhythm and blues, Motown, funk and classic rock, performs at 8 p.m. followed by a fireworks show. Free. This is the first performance of the ninth annual Oakwood Homes Summer Concert Series. Green Valley Ranch Amphitheater, 4890 Argonne Way, 303-595-8747,
Highlands Ranch annual celebration
July 4: The Highlands Ranch Community Association annual celebration, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Activities include a 5K run (registration at 7:30 a.m., race begins 8:30 a.m.), parade, family entertainment with rides, games, face-painting, a pet-adoption fair, hot-dog-eating contest, live music and more. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Town Center, 303-791-2500,
Jamestown Pancake Breakfast
July 4: Pancake breakfast celebration to benefit the Jamestown Volunteer Fire and EMS departments, 7:30-11:30 a.m. Live music, a raffle and T-shirt sales included. Town Square, Jamestown, 303-449-1129
Lakewood on Parade
July 3: Activities begin at 1 p.m. with entertainment, rides (some require tickets), vendors, arts and crafts, food and more. The a cappella group Cool Shooz performs at 8:45 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Free. Jefferson County Sports Stadium, Kipling Street and West Sixth Avenue,
Mount Evans Hospice 29th annual Freedom Run
July 4: The 5K begins at 8 a.m. at Evergreen Middle School and ends at the Evergreen Sports Center with refreshments and awards. Registration fee is $30 adults ($25 on or before June 27), $15 children 14 and under ($12 on or before June 27). Proceeds benefit Mount Evans Hospice and Home Health Care. Evergreen Middle School, 2059 Hiwan Drive, 303-674-6400, visit to register.
Northglenn’s July 4th Family Festival
July 4: Events run from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and include a pancake breakfast, the Firecrackers and Flapjack Races, a bake sale, parades, food booths, live music, military recognition and more. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. There’s also an Historic Preservation July 4th Celebration at Stonehocker Farmhouse, 10950 Fox Run Parkway in Northglenn, 3-10 p.m. E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park, 11701 Community Center Drive, 303-450-8800
Parade of Athletes
July 4: The 30th National Veterans Wheelchair Games free Parade of Athletes begins at 7 p.m. The route heads south on 14th Street starting on Welton Street to West Colfax Avenue and enters Civic Center for the opening ceremonies. The games, presented by the Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Department of Veterans Affairs, feature 500 wheelchair athletes who are all military veterans. They continue through July 9.
Park Hill Fourth of July Parade
July 4: Kicking off at 2:30 p.m., the parade will include marchers, bikers, school groups and families heading down 23rd Avenue from Dexter Street to Kearney Street in Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood.
Parker’s “Let Freedom Sing, 2010!”
July 3: The annual tradition offers children’s activities including a bounce house, face-painting and bubble tower along with live music (Slopeside performs at 6 p.m., followed by Rocky Mountain Brassworks at 8:30), food and refreshments, 6-10 p.m. Picnics, blankets and lawn chairs welcome. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Free admission. Salisbury Park, 9200 Motsenbocker Road, 303-841-0353,
Pikes Peak Arts Fest
July 3-5: The sixth annual family celebration includes fine art, arts and crafts, live music, food, a beer-andwine garden, and more, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. each day. Free. America the Beautiful Park, Colorado Avenue and Cimino Drive, Colorado Springs,
Poudre Valley Green Party
July 4: Presents the third annual “White, Blue, and Green Party,” 3-7 p.m. Festivities include music by the Big South String Band and Joe Kissell along with food and refreshments. Waste-Not Recycling will recycle electronics (nothing larger than a laptop). The Party will present the “Green Giant Award” to community members who have exemplified environmental stewardship. Free, donations accepted. Avogadro’s Number, 605 S. Mason St., Fort Collins,
Ragtime Society of Colorado
July 3: Presents a piano concert, “Plenty of Fireworks,” with pianist and composer Frank French, 7 p.m. $20. Onofrio Piano Co., 1332 S. Broadway, 303-979-4353
Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site’s “Family Fourth”
July 4: An old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration with historic speeches, patriotic music with the Fountain Creek Brass Band, carnival games, picnics and more, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $6 adults, $4 seniors and teens ages 13-18, $2 children 12 and under. Rock Ledge Ranch is located at the entrance to the Garden of the Gods off 30th Street, Colorado Springs, 719-578-6777,
Silverton
July 4: Festivities include the Blue Ribbon 5K/10K Run, a parade, the International Rhubarb Festival, a picnic, afternoon water fight, music with the Silverton Brass Band and more. The Silverton San Juan Volunteer Fire Department sets off fireworks at dusk above Shrine Hill. Visit the website for details.
Steamboat celebrations
July 2-4: The ninth annual “Art on the Mountain” features jewelry, pottery, woodwork and more by local and visiting artists in Gondola Square, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Mountain Madness Road Race begins at 8 a.m. July 3. The Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo is July 3-4. The July Fourth Celebration and 107th annual Cowboys’ Roundup Days includes a pancake breakfast, the annual parade down Lincoln Avenue, Pioneer Days Block Party with a community concert and wraps up with a fireworks show at 9 p.m. Visit website for more details. Steamboat Springs, 970-879-0880
Symphony Above the Clouds 30th Anniversary Concert
July 5: A free patriotic concert featuring the Colorado Springs Philharmonic along with cannons, food and fireworks. The Ceol Ceili, an Irish folk music group, also performs. Gates open at 5 p.m. Donations accepted. Woodland Park Middle School, 600 E. Kelly Road in Woodland Park,
Symphony in the Valley
July 4: A free concert of patriotic and Americana music under the direction of conductor Carlos Elias, 8 p.m. Fireworks follow. Two Rivers Park Bandshell in Glenwood Springs,
Symphony on the Rocks
July 5: In addition to the Civic Center concert July 3 (see above), the Colorado Symphony Orchestra performs a second free show, featuring classical favorites by Sousa, Elgar, Beethoven, Copland and others. 7:30 p.m. There is a $10 parking fee per vehicle. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison,
Telluride celebrates the Fourth
July 4: A parade down Main Street kicks things off at 10 a.m., followed by a barbecue in Town Park. Free family activities including a jumping castle, bungee trampoline, face-painting and an ice cream social begin at 2 p.m. The Red, White & Blues Concert featuring Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers is at 4 p.m. in Sunset Plaza. Fireworks at dusk.
Thornton’s “Red, White & Boom! Bash”
July 4: Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with entertainment, food and refreshments. The Thornton Community Band plays at 6 p.m. followed by the Longmont Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. A patriotic parachute jump by Mile High Skydiving happens around 9:30 p.m. followed by fireworks. Multipurpose Fields at East 108th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, Thornton,
U.S. Air Force Academy Fourth of July 2010 Celebration
July 4: Begins at 4 p.m. with vendors, games, food and displays. The Colorado Springs Philharmonic performs at 6:30 p.m., followed by the U.S. Air Force Academy Band at 8:15 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Enter through North Gate to Athletic Fields, Colorado Springs,
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Winter Park-Fraser Valley “Celebrate Independence Day”
July 3-4: July 3 festivities include the Rendezvous Run for Independence at 9 a.m. (), the Granby parade at 10:30 a.m., followed by the rodeo (), the High Country Stampede Rodeo begins at 4 p.m. for juniors and 7 p.m. for adults () and an all-day Ice Cream Social at Cooper Creek Square. A Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks Extravaganza is 4-10 p.m. July 4 at the Fraser Valley Metropolitan Recreation District Ball Fields in Fraser, with games, hot-air balloon rides, live music, carnival games and more. Fireworks begin at sundown.
Woodland Park’s “Old Fashioned Fourth of July”
July 4: Includes a pancake breakfast, live music, family activities, art and crafts, food and more, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. in Memorial Park, corner of Lake Avenue and North Park Street. The Woodland Park Wind Symphony performs a patriotic concert at 6 p.m. at the new Midland Pavilion at the Ute Pass Cultural Center. Picnics, blankets and chairs are welcome. You can stay and watch the fireworks beginning at 9:30 p.m. They can be viewed anywhere within the city of Woodland Park.
