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, arvadafestivals.com
Aurora’s “4th 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, auroragov.org. Recommended viewing locations include east of Potomac Street, south of East Sixth Avenue, north of Mississippi Avenue and west of Buckley Road.
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, crgov.com/rockin
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, cherryarts.org
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, coloradosymphony.org
“Colorado Rapids” fourth
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, 4thfestcolorado.com, call 303825-GOAL (4625) or visit coloradorapids.com or tickethorse.com for game tickets.
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. durangogov.org
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. estesparkcvb.com
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 4th” 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, downtownfortcollins.com
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, fourmilehistoricpark.org
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, goldhillinn.com
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, artfestival.com
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 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, skylineusa.com/oakwood.htm
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, hrcaonline.org.
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
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 mtevans.org to register.
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. pva.org
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, parkeronline.org
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, pikespeakartsfest.com
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, rockledgeranch.com
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 steamboat.com
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 in Morrison, redrocksonline.com
Winter Park-Fraser Valley
“Celebrate Independence Day”
July 3-4: July 3 festivities include the Rendezvous Run for Independence at 9 a.m. (playwinterpark.com), the Granby parade at 10:30 a.m. followed by the rodeo (granbyrodeo.com), the High Country Stampede Rodeo begins at 4 p.m. for juniors and 7 p.m. for adults (highcountrystampede.com) 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. playwinterpark.com
Woodland Park’s “Old Fashioned 4th of July”
July 4: Includes a pancake breakfast, live music, family activities, art and crafts, food and more, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Memorial Park, corner of Lake Avenue and North Park Street, 719-687-5218
Author: Amber Johnson
Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.
