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Durango Fire reminds us to please participate legally

Durango officials encourage viewing of public display on the Fourth
Fireworks soar above Durango on July 4, 2014. The Durango Fire Protection District is encouraging the public to again attend this year’s downtown festivities.

As the Fourth of July approaches, the Durango Fire Protection District is emphatically reminding residents the only fireworks legal for private use in Colorado are sparklers, smoke balls, fountains, novelties, crackle and strobe, and wheels and spinners.

“If you are looking at something other than this, ask yourself this question: DOES IT LIFT OFF THE GROUND AND/OR DOES IT GO BOOM (EXPLODE)? If it does, then it is illegal in the state of Colorado,” said DFPD Fire Marshal Karola Hanks in a firmly worded news release.

Hanks warned that the Durango Police Department will have additional officers on duty, and they are tasked with confiscating any illegal fireworks.

“Emergency services have responded to injuries and fires resulting from the use of illegal fireworks in the past, and therefore, we encourage you to abide by state law on the type of firework you purchase,” she said.

Instead of buying private fireworks, most of which are illegal in Colorado, Hanks urged residents to join the public watching of Durango’s fireworks display beginning about 9:15 p.m. Saturday, the Fourth of July.

All city transit is free on the Fourth. A special shuttle will run from 32nd Street to the Transit Center, picking up passengers at all stops on Main Avenue, including at La Plata County Fairgrounds with its ample parking. The last shuttle will depart downtown at 10:30 p.m.

A DFPD crew, just above Greenmount Cemetery, will shoot fireworks for the public display. Some 638 shells are ready to go.

Meanwhile, the city of Durango said festivities will necessitate street closures in the late afternoon through the evening.

Main Avenue will be entirely closed to traffic, and parking between College Drive and 12th Street, as well as 11th Street from Main Avenue to East Second Avenue, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. for the Stars & Stripes Parade.

As usual, the parade staging area is on the 500 block of Main Avenue and on Fifth Street from Main Avenue to East Third Avenue. The city said this area will likewise be closed to traffic and parking starting at 4:30 p.m. and will re-open by 7 p.m.

The 800 block of Main Avenue will also be closed to both traffic and parking for the Street Dance from 3:45 to 10 p.m. Officials expect the 800 block of Main Avenue to re-open to vehicles at 10:30 p.m.

cmcallister@ durangoherald.com

Schedule of Events

Bayfield

Events will take place on July Fourth on Mill Street and in Joe Stephenson Park.

Saturday

Bayfield Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast, 7-10 a.m., Bayfield Lion’s Club.

Calvary Presbyterian Church Pie and Craft Sale, 8 a.m., Calvary Presbyterian Church.

Firecracker 5K Run & Family Walk, 8 a.m., Joe Stephenson Park, 385-4747, 884-9544.

Pet Parade, 9:45 a.m., Mill Street.

The Bayfield 4th of July Parade, 10 a.m., Mill Street.

Festivities in Joe Stephenson Park, after the parade.

The Serrano’s annual Horseshoe Tournament, noon, Eagle Park.

Anthem Volleyball coed 4 on 4, noon, Joe Stephenson Park, beisenbraun@bayfieldgov.org, 884-9544.

Parks and Recreation sixth annual Coed One-Pitch Softball Tournament, 1 p.m.

Firework show, dusk, Joe Stephenson Park.

Durango

For more information, visit www.downtowndurango.org/July-4th.

Saturday

All-American Pancake Breakfast, 7:30-11 a.m., $10/$5, Rotary Park.

Freedom 5K, 9 a.m., Rotary Park.

American Voices, public reading of the nation’s founding documents, 11 a.m.-noon, Buckley Park.

Family Fun in the Park, kids flea market, food, beverages, treats, face-painting, bouncy house, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Buckley Park.

Patrick Decker, classic rock, noon, Buckley Park.

Magi Nation, reggae band, 1 p.m., Buckley Park.

Misto the Magi Magic Act and Catch It Quick Juggler, 3 p.m., Buckley Park.

Mountaintop Pocket Pickers, bluegrass, 4 p.m., Buckley Park.

Family Barbecue, noon-4 p.m., Durango Elks Club, 901 East Second Ave.

Street Dance on Main featuring High Rollers, 5 p.m., 800 block of Main Ave.

The Stars and Stripes Parade, 6 p.m., Main Avenue.

Fort Lewis College Alumni third annual Fourth at the Fort, open to alumni and staff, 7:30-9:40 p.m., Rim Drive across from Kroeger Hall, www.fortlewis.edu/alumni.

Fireworks Show, 9:15 p.m., launched from Cemetery Hill west of downtown.

Vallecito Reservoir

Friday

The American Warrior 4th of July Power Games, benefiting The Wounded Warrior Project, weigh-in, 5-9 p.m., The Hideaway Grill, 18044 County Road 501, Bayfield, 884-2964.

The Pete Giuliani Band, 7 p.m., Lake House Bar & Grill, 17460 County Road 501, 884-9150, lakehousevallecito.com.

Fireworks, dusk, at the north end of Vallecito Lake.

Saturday

Vallecito Service League Craft Fair, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Vallecito Lake Dam.

The American Warrior 4th of July Power Games, benefiting The Wounded Warrior Project, weigh-in, 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; arm-wrestling tournament, 2 p.m., The Hideaway Grill, 18044 County Road 501, Bayfield, 884-2964.

Eric Kiefer, 6 p.m., Lake House Bar & Grill, 17460 County Road 501, 884-9150, lakehousevallecito.com.

Sunday

Vallecito Service League Craft Fair, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Vallecito Lake Dam.

The American Warrior 4th of July Power Games, benefiting The Wounded Warrior Project, strict curl competition, 2 p.m., table curl competition, 6 p.m., The Hideaway Grill, 18044 County Road 501, Bayfield, 884-2964.

Purgatory

Saturday

Backcountry Experience Firecracker 5K & 10K, Purgatory Resort.

Silverton

Saturday

2K/5K/10K Blue Ribbon Fun Run, benefits for the Silverton Youth Center, 7:30 a.m., Memorial Park.

Fourth of July Parade and Water Fight, 10:30 a.m., loop on Greene Street and Blair Street.

International Rhubarb Festival and Silverton Brass Band Concert and kids events, after the parade and water fight, Memorial Park.

Ducky Derby, 2 p.m., on Cement Creek in Memorial Park.

Fireworks display, 9:30 p.m.

Live music, all day, Natalia’s 1912 Family Restaurant and Hungry Moose Bar & Grill.

Kids events, all day, Sugar Rush Candy Store.

Jul 2, 2015
Fourth of July Schedule of Events
Jun 30, 2015
Silverton to light up the night


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