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Fourth of July Celebrations

Get patriotic with your choice of fun, festivals and fireworks around the state

By Chris Weiss

all the fun amusements your children dream about on a Saturday morning. The Fourth also marks the first day of the Crested Butte Music Festival, and you can catch Alpen Brass putting on a free patriotic concert. And, of course, you’ll be able to catch a fireworks show once the sun completes its retreat behind Crested Butte’s distinctive peaks.

More info:
Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce
800-545-4505
www.cbchamber.com

Breckenridge
Breckenridge injects its Main Street Fourth of July parade with a little extra adrenaline. The Firecracker 50 & USA Cycling Marathon Mountain Bike National Championships serve as the kick-off of the parade. Watch as hundreds of mountain bike racers hit the streets and lead the way for a parade full of floats, Dodge Vipers and bag pipers. Twelve national champions will be crowned from the race. During the afternoon, there’ll be activities for children and a free concert at the Riverwalk Center. In the evening, catch a “July 4th Patriotic Celebration” at the Riverwalk Center put on by the NRO Orchestra. The show begins at 8:30 p.m. and is free; tickets are required, however. If you’re feeling the pull of tradition, Breckenridge also has a fireworks show to round out the quintessential Independence Day.

More info:
Breckenridge Resort Chamber
970-453-2913
www.gobreck.com

These are just a few of the many great celebrations going on throughout the diverse, vibrant mountain communities of Colorado. So, just in case the camping, fishing, hiking, biking and other mountain recreation weren’t excuses enough to beat the Front Range heat and head into the mountains, now you have a few more reasons to take a weekend trip.

It’s already June. You know what that means? For one, you probably have a number of weddings that you may or may not be looking forward to attending. Thank goodness for the checkbook and postal system. For another, Fourth of July is just around the corner and it’s time to get planning.
If you’re stuck somewhere between an exotic, weeklong vacation that you can’t afford and a dreaded long, sweltering weekend spent sweating it out over hot charcoal

Breckinridge's Firecracker 50: photo by Katie Girtman

and trying to think of new activities to keep the children amused, consider a local change of pace. Around the Rockies, Fourth of July marks one of the biggest celebrations of the year with all kinds of unique Colorado activities for visitors young and old. Mountain towns in all corners have put together comprehensive wake-to-sleep itineraries that will take care of everything short of toasting your marshmallow for you. So drop the lighter fluid and noodle salad and let one of these fine Rocky Mountain communities play host to your holiday.

Frisco
Frisco pulls out all the stops each year and offers everything you possibly need for a memorable day. This year, activities commence at 9 a.m. on Saturday, when children are invited down to Meadow Creek pond for the Kids Fishing Derby. See how your little angler stacks up with the competition. If slime and scales aren’t agreeable to your child, surely a bike-decorating contest and chance to ride in the parade on their newly decked out ride is. Decorating runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and the Fantastic 4th of July Parade begins at 12:30. During the afternoon, stop by and view some artwork and crafts at the Downtown Frisco Green Art Festival, then take a breather and enjoy some entertainment at the Historic Park Gazebo. The busy, fun-filled day ends as any true Fourth of July celebration should, with a grand fireworks display over Lake Dillon, beginning at 9. You can even sponsor a firework in the show.

More info:
Town of Frisco
800-424-1554
www.townoffrisco.com

Fireworks over Frisco courtesy of Todd Powell photo Gallery

Steamboat Springs
When it’s not winter, Ski Town, USA taps further into its old West roots and provides a genuine destination for anyone looking to get a glimpse into the days when cowboys roamed the hills. Fourth of July is a prime example, as rodeo and ranching help to anchor Steamboat’s celebration. If you wake up hungry on Saturday, mosey on down to the all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast and load up on carbs for a busy day. Catch the parade on Lincoln Avenue, a block party, music and an evening rodeo before watching fireworks break the canvas of still, silent summer night air at Howelson Hill. Don’t head out of town too early on Sunday or you’ll miss the big cattle drive down Lincoln Avenue, the ol’ cattle route that’s now Steamboat’s main artery, beginning at 10. Local ranchers will drive 110 pair of cattle to Romick Arena where a ranch horse competition and rodeo will finish off a busy holiday weekend.

More Info:
Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association
970- 879-0880
www.steamboat-chamber.com

Crested Butte
Well, by this point, you’ve likely come to expect a big parade, and Crested Butte won’t let you down. However, what you may not expect is to get soaked like a 10-year-old kid in a water balloon fight. For a traditional parade experience, park yourself on Elk between 6th and 2nd. Venture lower than 2nd, however, and you’re just asking to get drenched. Fire trucks will open their hoses and the Wet Zone will provide an exhilarating reprieve from the hottest holiday of the year. After the parade has ended, and you’ve changed out of the sopping T-shirt, you’ll find a food court, log-sawing contest, pie-eating contest, three-legged race and a Kid-Zone packed with