It’s time once again to celebrate the United States of America. Cities and towns across the Front Range have full slates prepped for the day and night, which conveniently falls on a Friday this year. From live music to bounce houses to pie contests and, of course, fireworks, whatever your favorite Independence Day activity is, it’s happening somewhere.
Arvada’s Independence Day Celebration
July 4: Activities begin at 4 p.m. with a Kid’s Play Zone, inflatables, games, booths, human “hamster” balls, a military vehicle display, live music and more. New this year is an area dedicated to those with special needs. Fireworks begin at dusk. Lutz/Stenger Sports Complex, entrance at 58th Avenue and Oak Street, 720-898-7000, arvada.org
Aurora’s Fourth of July Spectacular
July 4: The Golden Eagle Concert Band performs at 6 p.m. with fireworks following at 9:30 p.m. with choreographed music on Studio 1430 KEZW. Food vendors will be in attendance. Limited seating is available on the Aurora Municipal Center lawn. Additional recommended viewing locations include east of Potomac Street, south of Sixth Avenue, north of Mississippi Avenue and west of Buckley Road. Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, auroragov.org
Black Hawk Boomtown
July 4: The Boom Town Band performs 4-8 p.m. in Stroehle Square, Black Hawk and Main streets. Fireworks are launched from two locations around 9 p.m. cityofblackhawk.org
Brighton’s Fourth of July
July 4: Children’s activities, entertainment, food vendors and live music with DJ Tidalwave, the Chris Romero Duo and the Swerve Band. Activities begin at 4 p.m. Fireworks at dusk. Carmichael Park, 650 E. Southern St., 303-655-2176, brightonco.gov
Broomfield’s Great American Picnic
July 4: Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with inflatables, pony rides, a petting zoo, food vendors and live music by Face and Syndicate on stage at 7 p.m. The eighth annual Bike Parade for all ages begins at 5:45. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Broomfield County Commons Park on Sheridan Boulevard, 303-469-3301, broomfield.org
Castle Rock’s Rockin’ the Fourth
July 4: The Red, White & Boom! fireworks show begins at 9:45 p.m. Metzler Ranch Community Park, 4175 Trail Boss Road, 720-733-2284, crgov.com
Colorado Springs Philharmonic
July 4: Free “Summer Symphony” concert with food, refreshments and children’s activities with a bounce house, giant slide, obstacle course and more. Activities begin at 5:30 p.m., the Philharmonic performs at 7:30 p.m. followed by the fireworks at dusk. Memorial Park, 1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave., csphilharmonic.org
Coors Field
July 3-4: Fireworks follow Colorado Rockies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, games at 6:10 p.m. coloradorockies.com
Denver’s Independence Eve at Civic Center Park
July 3: The Civic Center Conservancy presents live music by the a cappella group MIX, the Hazel Miller Band and the Denver Municipal Band at 8 p.m. KCNC-Channel 4’s Jim Benemann serves as emcee. A light show and fireworks finale is included. Lawn seating is available. Blankets and low-rise chairs recommended. Food trucks will be on site, and picnics are welcome. Civic Center Park, Colfax and Broadway, civiccenterconservancy.org. New this year is an Independence Eve Balcony Party 7-10 p.m. on the deck of The Denver Post Building, 101 W. Colfax Ave. $75 tickets include food, beer and wine. Details at events.imbibedenver.com/products/independence-eve-balcony-party
Devil’s Thumb Ranch
July 4: Independence Day BBQ with live music, a petting zoo, hikes, archery, fly-casting and more, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $29 for ages 12 and over, $14.50 children under 12. Call for reservations. 2430 County Road 83, Tabernash, 970-726-7013, devilsthumbranch.com
Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
July 4: Parking lot opens at 4 p.m. for activities at 5 p.m. with a free outdoor festival offering activities for all ages including inflatables, a climbing wall, ropes course, jump castle, DJ, karaoke and more. The Family Activity Zone is outside the south end of the stadium. The Colorado Rapids take on the Columbus Crew 7:30-9:30 p.m. Fireworks begin at 10 p.m. 6000 Victory Way, Commerce City, colorado rapids.com/4thfestcolorado
Englewood’s Fourth of July
July 4: Activities happening in three parks. “Fishing for Fun” is 7-11 a.m. at Progress Park, 5100 S. Hickory St. The nearby Belleview Park, 5001 S. Inca St., offers Pirates Cove (10 a.m.-6 p.m.) and a miniature train and children’s farm, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Food and novelty vendors will be in attendance 3-9 p.m. Cornerstone Park at 5150 S. Windermere St. is the site of miniature golf, vendors, activities including a bounce house and live music, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. Most events are free, some have a fee. englewoodgov.org/englewood- happenings/4th-of-july-festivities
Estes Park
July 3-4: The “Go 4th Festival” includes a pig roast, entertainment and a beer garden on July 3 along with the “Tunes, Treats and Toasts Party” 4-9 p.m. July 3 at the Fairgrounds at Stanley Park. Festivities on July 4 include a pancake breakfast, car show, miniature golf and a carnival followed by fireworks at dusk over Lake Estes. 800-443-7837, 970-577-9900, visitestespark.com
Evergreen Music Festival
July 4: Sedici Corde, Katie Glassman and Snapshot, Queen City Jazz Band, The Denver Brass and Evergreen Chorale are among the performers scheduled 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. New this year is a Teen Venue at the Lake Stage with seven local acts. Children’s activities, art show, food and drink vendors also offered. $10 adults, $5 ages 13-18, free children under 12. Evergreen Lake, 720-515-8594, evergreenmusicfestival.org
Fiddler’s Green
July 4: “Independence Day Strikes Back” with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $17-$35. Fireworks follow. 6350 Greenwood Plaza Blvd., Greenwood Village, 303-623-7876, coloradosymphony.org
Fort Collins 2014 Independence Day Celebration
July 4: Festivities include the Firecracker 5K, a golf tournament, 33rd annual Old Timer’s Game, a parade, live music and fireworks at approximately 9:35 p.m. Times and fees vary; several activities are free. City Park and downtown Fort Collins, fcgov.com/july4th/
Four Mile Historic Park
July 4: Annual “Old Fashioned July 4th Celebration” includes the reading of the Declaration of Independence, performances by the Denver Concert Band and other local musicians, visits with Uncle Sam, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln along with horse-drawn wagon rides, story times, games, children’s activities and more, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $7 adults, $4 ages 3-17 and seniors 65+, free for children 2 and under, military with I.D. and members. A food tent is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 715 S. Forest St., 720-865-0800, fourmilepark.org
July Fourth in Historic Georgetown
July 4: Activities are offered from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. including a 5K Race/Stroll. A parade follows at 11 a.m., a BBQ in City Park begins at noon ($10 adults, $5 ages 12 and under), the Bucket Brigade Races get underway at 2 p.m. Fireworks at dusk on Leavenworth Mountain. 303-569-2888, georgetown-colorado.org/
Glendale Fireworks
July 3: Fireworks begin 9-9:30 p.m. Recommended viewing is north of Virginia Street, south of Cherry Creek Drive South, west of Colorado Boulevard and east of Cherry Street. 303-759-1513, glendale.co.us/
Golden’s July Fourth Festival
July 4: The Golden Lions Club presents its annual festival with rides, live music, face painting, food vendors, noon-10:30 p.m. The Johnny O. Band, Chuck Hughes and the New Classic Band perform. Picnics are welcome. Fireworks at dusk. Lions Park, 1300 10th St., goldenlionsclub.org
Grand Lake
July 4: Fireworks at dusk. 970-627-3402, grandlakechamber.com
Green Valley Ranch Amphitheater
July 4: Annual Motown, R&B, jazz and pop concert with Chase’n The Dream, 8-9:30 p.m. Fireworks follow. 4890 Argonne Way, 303-595-8747, skylineusa.com/ oakwood_concert_series.asp
Kiowa
July 4: Activities offered noon to 4 p.m. include the opening of a new exhibit, “Smoky Hill Trail — Shortcut to the Rockies,” at the Elbert County Museum, a pie contest and auction, watermelon eating contest, games for all ages, live music and more. 800-825-0208, ourjourney.info
Lafayette Fourth of July Celebration
July 4: Children’s activities, games, live music, food, beer and wine concessions are followed by fireworks, 4-10 p.m. Free admission. Waneka Lake Park, 1600 Caria Drive, 303-666-9555, lafayettecolorado.com
Leadville’s Old-Fashioned Independence Day
July 4: The Firecracker 5K Run/Walk begins the day’s festivities at 9 a.m. The $15 fee benefits the nonprofit Leadville Sports Hall of Fame. The annual parade begins at 10 a.m. and is followed by an ice cream social. An aircraft display and free cookout is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Lake County Regional Airport. The Legacy Quartet performs at the Tabor Opera House at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person or $25 per family. Fireworks follow at dusk; July 5: the third annual Ye Olde Flea Market starts at 9:30 a.m. Chris Collins performs a tribute concert to John Denver at 7:30 p.m. at the Tabor Opera House. Tickets are $20. 855-488-1222, visitleadvillecolorado.com, taboroperahouse.net
Littleton’s “Red, White & You”
July 3: Foothills Park & Recreation District presents the annual family festival with exhibits, food vendors, a bounce house, rides, beer and wine garden and live music, 5-10 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free, some activities require tickets. Clement Park, 7306 W. Bowles Ave., Littleton, ifoothills.org
Niwot’s July Fourth Celebration & Parade
July 4: A “good old-fashioned celebration of American Independence” includes pancake breakfast, 7:30-10:30 a.m. $5 for adults, $3 children; the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band performs at 9 a.m.; Bongo the Balloon Man 8:30-10:30 a.m.; decorate your bike, tricycle or wagon for a parade starting at 11 a.m. niwot.com
Northglenn’s Family Festival
July 4: The festival runs 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. A Boy Scout Pancake Breakfast, Patriotic Pooch Parade, 4-mile and 1/2-mile runs, Bike, Trike & Wheelchair Parade, kids fun area, car show, concert by Chris Daniels & The Kings, bake sale and more. Food and community booths open at 11 a.m. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. over Webster Lake. E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park, 11801 Community Center Drive, northglenn.org/july4th
Park Hill 4th of July Parade
July 4: The fifth annual parade is 1:30-3 p.m. along 23rd Avenue from Dexter Street to Krameria Street where it ends in a street fair on the 2200 block of Kearney Street. Food trucks, live music and more is included. 303-918-6517, parkhillparade.org
Ralphie’s Independence Day Blast in Boulder
July 4: The City of Boulder and the University of Colorado Boulder present the event at Folsom Field. Gates open at 8 p.m. Activities get started at 8:30 p.m. with Ralphie. Fireworks around 9:30 p.m. Free. Folsom Field, 2400 Colorado Ave., boulder4thofjuly.com
Thornton Fourth of July
July 4: Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with food vendors and a beer garden. A one-hour concert with the Thornton Community Band begins at 6 p.m., Color Guard presentation at 7:50 p.m., the Longmont Symphony performs 8 to 9:30 p.m., a parachute jump at 9:30 p.m. is immediately followed by fireworks. Carpenter Park Fields, 108th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard, cityofthornton.net
Westminster Fourth of July
July 4: A Fire Department Fishing Derby is 8 to 11 a.m. Patriotic Bike Parade at 3 p.m. Activity Zone and food vendors open at 4 p.m. Rocky Mountain Car Club Show, 5-9:15 p.m. Soul X performs a concert beginning at 7 p.m., followed by fireworks. City Park, 10455 Sheridan Blvd., ci.westminster.co.us/parksrec/specialevents.aspx
Vickie Heath, Laura Daily