Looking for a fantastic Fourth of July fireworks display? Let the Denver Post help you plan for the big day. Whether you’re looking for patriotic music, family fun, food, fireworks or all of the above, there’s something here for you. Check back for updates and additions.
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
July 1-4: Various Fourth of July festivities from Leadville to Cañon City. Highlights include the U.S. Air Force Concert Band performing July 1 at Riverside Park in Salida; geology talk and hike at 6:30 p.m. July 2 at Ruby Mountain campground; July Fourth parades in the morning in Buena Vista and the afternoon in Salida. Call or visit the website for more events. 719-539-7289,
Art on the Mountain
July 2-4: The 10th annual Art on the Mountain features works by 40 local, national and regional artisans. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Free admission. Gondola Square, Steamboat Ski Resort,
Arvada’s “Celebration of the Spirit of America”
July 4: Festivities begin at 3 p.m. with a military display, classic car show, live music, 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,
Aurora’s Fourth of July Spectacular
July 4: “Light Up the Night” festivities begin at 5 p.m. with live music by the Spin Band, children’s activities including face painting and balloon artists, food vendors and more. Fireworks begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. Suggested viewing locations include east of Potomac Street, south of Sixth Avenue, north of Mississippi Avenue and west of Buckley Road. Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 Alameda Parkway, auroragov.org
Bandimere Speedway
July 2: Gates open at 2 p.m. for the “Jet Car Nationals & Family Festival,” offering games, rides, food, live music and more along with drag racing. A fireworks display follows. $20, $17 in advance for adults; $13, $11 in advance for juniors, free age 5 and under.3051 S. Rooney Road, Morrison, 303-697-4870, bandimere.com
Bent’s Old Fort
July 4 The National Historic Site hosts an 1840s-style celebration with cannon firings, games, Koshare Dancers, an 1840s frontier burial, demonstrations and more, noon-4:30 p.m. Admission is $3, $2 ages 6-12, free for children 5 and under and National Park pass-holders. Located 8 miles east of La Junta or 13 miles west of Las Animas on Colorado 194, 719-383-5010,
Blackhawk’s “Boom Town”
July 4: The Boom Town Band performs in the gazebo at Stroehle Square, 4-8 p.m. July 2-4. Fireworks, featuring more than 12,000 aerial shells, begin at dusk July 4. 303-582-2292, cityofblackhawk.org
Breckenridge
July 2-4: The 28th annual Breckenridge July Art Festival is July 2-4 at Main Street Station. July 4 activities include a parade, 10K trail run, the Firecracker 50 Mountain Bike Race and more along with a free concert by Rusted Root at 2 p.m. The National Repertory Orchestra performs at 8:30 p.m. at the Riverwalk Center followed by fireworks. Lawn seating is free and reserved indoor tickets are available for the NRO concert.
Cheesman Park
July 4: Bicycles, tricycles and wagons are welcome at the fifth annual Cheesman Park Fourth of July Kids’ Parade. Bike decorating materials are provided at 9 a.m., the parade begins at 10 a.m. Activities including face painting and balloon artists continue until 11 a.m. Parade participants include a bagpiper, Denver Police Mounted Patrol, a fire truck, the Mile High Freedom Marching Band and Uncle Sam. Free. East Eighth Avenue and Franklin Street, 303-694-6721
Coal Creek Golf Course
July 4: Festivities begin at 6 p.m. with live music by the Boulder Concert Band, and children’s activities, including face painting and balloon artists and food vendors. Families are invited to bring a picnic dinner. Fireworks begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. 585 W. Dillon Road, Louisville, 303-335-4536,
Colorado Symphony Orchestra
July 3: Second annual free Independence Eve community concert and fireworks display, 8 p.m. Works by Key, Copland, Bernstein, Tchaikovsky and others are included. Civic Center, Broadway and Colfax Avenue,
Commerce City 4th Fest & Colorado Rapids
July 3: Doors open at 4 p.m. for the fifth annual 4th Fest, offering free entertainment including a climbing wall, human foosball, trampoline, jump castle and more. The Andy Hackbarth Duo performs at 6 p.m., and Funkiphino is onstage at 7:30 p.m. The Colorado Rapids play the Houston Dynamo at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $17. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, 6000 Victory Way, 303-825-GOAL (825-4625), tickethorse.com
Gunnison-Crested Butte
July 1-4: Weekend activities include concerts, performances of “Oklahoma,” a gallery crawl, parade, farmers markets, a one-third marathon, pancake breakfast, hot air balloon rally, fireworks and more. 800-814-8893,
Castle Rock’s Rocky Mountain Freedom Festival/Rockin’ the Fourth: Red, White & Boom!
July 1-4: The Rocky Mountain Freedom Festival is July 1-3 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds and includes a carnival, live music from more than 30 bands and a state barbecue championship. Admission is $5 per day or $10 for a weekend pass. Free for children under 5, adults 60 and over and members of the military with ID. Wristbands for unlimited carnival rides are $25, $20 at r. A fireworks show wraps up the festival at approximately 9:45 p.m. July 3. The annual Rockin’ the Fourth: Red, White & Boom! celebration is at Metzler Ranch Community Park on July 4. Start time is 9-9:30 p.m. Admission is free. Castle Rock,
The Denver Outlaws
July 3: The Denver Outlaws host the Boston Cannons for the team’s annual fireworks game, 7 p.m. Tickets start at $15. INVESCO Field at Mile High, 303-OUTLAWS (688-5297),
Estes Park
July 4: Festivities include a pancake breakfast 7-10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Mountains, 920 Big Thompson Road. Price is $6 for adults, $3 for children. The “Coolest Car Show in Colorado” is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in downtown Bond Park. Admission is $5 adults, $2 for children and students, children under age 6 get in for free. $10 family rate. Proceeds benefit the Estes Park Museum. A patriotic concert with the Estes Park Village Band performs at 7 p.m. in the Performance Park Amphitheater. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. over Lake Estes. Estes Park, 970-577-9900,
Family Festival and Fireworks Show
July 4: The 16th annual Fourth of July Family Festival and Fireworks Show is at Belleview, Progress and Cornerstone Parks near the intersection of Belleview Avenue and Windermere Street. Cornerstone activities include open batting cages, bungee trampoline, games, face painting, miniature golf and live music with the Windjammers, times vary. A fishing derby is 9-11 a.m. at Progress Park, registration is at 8 a.m. Belleview Park hosts a miniature train and children’s farm, duck races, watermelon eating contest and a bounce house, times vary. Fireworks begin about 9:30 p.m. from the baseball fields at Cornerstone Park.
Frisco Art Festival
July 2-3 : The third annual Downtown Frisco Green Art Festival features works by local, regional and national artists, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission . 304 Main St., Frisco,
Fort Collins
July 4: Old Town Square is the host of a variety of activities including a beer garden, live music, vendors, face painting, a pie-eating contest for ages 10 and under, a bungee trampoline and more, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. An Old Fashioned celebration with historic activities, games and food is 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Avery House, 328 W. Mountain Ave. Fireworks begin about 9:30 p.m. over Sheldon Lake. 970-484-6500,
“Give us Liberty!”
July 4:The Statue of Liberty given to Colorado Springs in 1950 has been returned to its original home on the front lawn of Colorado Springs City Hall. A dedication celebration with patriotic music and the installation of a new time capsule, begins at 2 p.m. City Hall, 107 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, 719-385-5242
Gold Hill
July 4: The Gold Hill Fire Department’s annual Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast, 8:30-11 a.m. $6.50 adults, $3.50 children. Gluten-free pancakes available. The first 70 children to arrive receive a free toy. Fire department members in official T-shirts eat for free. A parade follows at noon to honor those who helped save and restore the area from the Four Mile Fire. Cash donations to “Fill the Fire Boot” will be accepted. Gold Hill, take Mapleton West from Boulder for nine miles; e-mail: finn.leslie@gmail.com,
Gold Hill Inn
July 4: Fourth of July Twang Fest includes a barbecue and concert with Halden Wofford & the Hi-Beams, Truckstop Honeymoon and others, noon-5 p.m. $15 for concert, additional cost for food. 401 Main St., Gold Hill, 303-443-6461,
Greeley Stampede
Through July 4: The 89th annual celebration continues with rodeos, children’s activities, concerts, Western art show and more, culminating with a parade and fireworks show on July 4. Island Grove Regional Park, 600 N. 14th Ave., Greeley, greeleystampede.org
Green Valley Ranch Amphitheater
July 4: Families are invited to bring a picnic dinner for a concert featuring contemporary rock and pop, R&B, funk and Motown with Soul School at 8 p.m. Fireworks follow at about 9:30 p.m. Free. The concert is the first in the Summer Concert Series continuing July 13 with the Manuel Molina Band and his Latin Dancers, 7-8:30 p.m.. 4890 Argonne Way, 303-595-8747,
Highlands Ranch
July 4: The annual Family Pet and Bike Parade begins at 9 a.m. and is followed by the Community Parade and 5K Run/Walk. Festivities continue until 7 p.m. at the Town Center with music, games, food, beer and a pet-adoption fair. A concert with the Cruisin’ Cats is at 7 p.m. in Civic Green Park. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. at the corner of Highlands Ranch Parkway and Blake Drive. 303-791-2500,
Indian Hills
July 4: Indian Hills Fire/Rescue have scheduled a day of activities beginning with a pancake breakfast, 7-11 a.m., auto extrication and airlife helicopter demonstrations, a parade at 11 a.m., food and live music in the afternoon. Fireworks begin at about 9:20 p.m. Everything is free except for the pancake breakfast. Donations accepted for other activities. All events are at or nearby the Indian Hills Fire Station, 4476 Parmalee Gulch Road, Indian Hills,
Keystone
July 4: Festivities begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue throughout the day with a bike parade, Kids Free Fishing Derby, annual River Run Independence Day Parade, a block party, Kidtopia KidsFest, live music and more. Fireworks begin at approximately 9:30 p.m.
Lafayette
July 4: Children’s activities, food concessions, games, live music and entertainment is followed by fireworks, 4-10 p.m. Bands include The Modniks, the British Invasion and California Sounds. The boathouse will be open for paddle boat and canoe rentals, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. A free shuttle service runs 4-10 p.m. from Centaurus High School (10300 S. Boulder Road) and Flatirons Church (350 S. Boulder Road). Waneka Lake, 1600 Caria Drive, Lafayette, 303-666-9555,
Paonia’s Cherry Days
July 1-4: Festivities of the 65th annual Cherry Days include a book sale, Classic Car Show, bike rides, dinners, beer and wine tastings, a silent auction, works by local artists, food, a barbecue, live music and more.
Park Hill
July 4: The second annual Fourth of July parade begins at 2:30 p.m. with floats, cars, bikes, Civil War re-enactors and a Union Army color guard. The parade heads down East 23rd Avenue between Dexter Street and Kearney Street in Denver’s Park Hill neighborhood.
Parker’s Let Freedom Sing, 2011
July 4: A combination Fourth of July celebration and 30th birthday bash for the town of Parker, 6-10 p.m. Activities include bounce houses, slides, sporting cages, a climbing wall, obstacle course and more. Rocky Mountain Brassworks perform at 8:30 p.m. and fireworks begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. Free, onsite parking is $5. Families are welcome to bring a picnic or purchase food and refreshments from vendors. Salisbury Park, 9200 Motsenbocker Road, Parker, 303-841-0353,
Performance Now Theatre Company
Through July 3: Presents the musical “1776.” Showtimes are 2 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. $25, $22.50 students and seniors, $19 children. Group rates available. Special military ticket is $17.76. Parking is free. Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 South Allison Parkway, Lakewood, 303-987-7845,
Pikes Peak Arts Fest
July 2-4: The seventh annual family celebration includes booths from more than 90 artists along with live music, food, a beer-and-wine garden, children’s activities and more, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. each day. Free. America the Beautiful Park, Colorado Avenue and Cimino Drive, Colorado Springs,
Pueblo’s “Rollin’ on the Riverwalk”
July 4: The Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo and the Pueblo Symphony Orchestra host the eighth annual celebration. Gates open at 3 p.m. with live music, family festivities, food and more. The Pueblo Symphony performs a “Pueblo Salutes America” concert at 8 p.m. with fireworks at dusk. Admission varies and premium seating is available. The Pueblo Riverwalk,
Redstone
July 4: Promising “the best small-town Fourth of July parade in Colorado!” Children can decorate their bikes at the Redstone Inn at 11 a.m. The parade begins at noon with an F-16 flyover. Head to the Crystal Club for water fights, using firehoses and fireman supervision, at 1 p.m. The Ducky Derby is at 2:30 p.m. Homemade pies will be served.
Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site’s “Family Fourth”
July 4: An old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration with music, carnival games, historic speeches and more, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $8, $5 seniors, $4 ages 6 to 17, free 5 and under. Rock Ledge Ranch is located at the entrance to the Garden of the Gods off 30th Street, Colorado Springs, 719-578-6777, .
Shriners International
July 2-7: The 137th Imperial Session offers daily activities. Highlights include the Shriners Marketplace July 2-6 at the Colorado Convention Center. A concert featuring Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson with Cowboy Troy and Two Foot Fred is at 8 p.m. July 2 at Wells Fargo Theatre. Tickets start at $35. The Feztastic Fourth of July Parade begins at 1:30 p.m. at 14th Street and Tremont Place. Festivities also include various competitions, a pageant and other celebrations. Shriners International is dedicated to improve the lives of children by providing care, research and teaching programs. ,
Superior
July 4: The Superior Downhill Mile Bike Race, 7 a.m. $20, $10 ages 17 and under. Register online at before 11 a.m. July 3. The Superior Fourth of July Parade, “America’s Heroes,” follows at 8:30 a.m. Festivities continue with a pancake breakfast, games, children’s activities and more until noon in Community Park. Rock Creek Parkway,
Symphony in the Valley
July 4: A patriotic concert of works by Sousa, Copland and others under the direction of conductor Carlos Elias, 8 p.m. Free. A fireworks show follows. Two Rivers Park Band Shell, Glenwood Springs,
Thornton’s “Red, White & Boom!”
July: The Multipurpose Fields open at 5 p.m. with entertainment, food and refreshments. The Thornton Community Band performs at 6 p.m. followed by the Longmont Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. A patriotic parachute jump by Mile High Skydiving starts off the fireworks show at dusk. Multipurpose Fields, East 108th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, Thornton,
U.S. Air Force Academy
July 4: Gates open at 4 p.m. for the Austin Healey Car Show and children’s activities including bounce houses. The Colorado Springs Philharmonic performs at 7 p.m. followed by the Air Force Academy Band at 8. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Free admission. Refreshments available 4-9:30 p.m. The Academy’s radio station, KAFA, will broadcast the music on 97.7 FM and on the website. Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs,
