The city of Durango has a slew of events and activities planned for Independence Day celebrations. Eating contests, nearly a dozen bands, a street dance, and yes, drones in lieu of fireworks on the evening of July 4 are part of the plan.
Ellen Babers, community events administrator, said the city collaborated with Durango Chamber of Commerce, Durango Business Improvement District, La Plata County Fairgrounds and Visit Durango to make the July 4 schedule.
She said the city and partnering organizations are going big this year with over 25 planned events beginning July 1, with a drone show the evening of July 4. The True Western Roundup at the La Plata County Fairgrounds on July 5 will round out the five-day celebration.
In all, the city anticipates spending $50,000 to $60,000. The drone show itself costs about $45,000, Babers said.
Some activities – a selfie contest featuring 15 prominent Durango area locations, and two sweepstakes contests (one for locals and one for prospective tourists) – are already underway, she said.
Visit Durango is hosting the sweepstakes contest, which offers the following prizes:
- Two night’s lodging in downtown Durango.
- Two days of paid breakfast, lunch and dinner at select Durango businesses.
- Five $100 gift cards for shopping in downtown Durango.
- Tickets to other goings-on during Independence Day weekend.
The sweepstakes contests end Friday, she said. So far, Visit Durango has received 80,000 entries.
Babers said the drone show, which will be flown by Pixis Drone Shows, will launch from the top of Greenmount Cemetery with 125 drones the evening of July 4. As with the city’s first-ever drone show in 2022, the spectacle will last about 10 minutes. But this time around, audiences can expect a more unique experience curated to tell a story about Durango and La Plata County with fewer stock drone formations in the mix.
She said audiences will have more options to enjoy sound and music that will accompany the show. Pixis Drone Shows will provide an app or a link to a Spotify playlist that people can sync with the drones in motion.
The best place to watch the show will be from the Transit Center, she said.
The city diversified its activities from other municipalities such as Silverton, which annually hosts a grand fireworks display on July 4.
She said a theme of sorts for this year’s celebration is “Staycation.” She hopes there will be enough going on to entertain residents and visitors through the start of summer to keep dollars local.
While light shows with drones might still be a new experience for many, the city is also looking to promote simpler, classic Independence Day traditions. Watermelon and pie eating contests, for example, are scheduled for July 1 at 11th Street Station and the La Plata County Fairgrounds, respectively. The watermelon contests will accommodate three age groups who must chew their way through three elimination rounds each.
EsoTerra Ciderworks is hosting a pie baking contest at 3 p.m. July 3. Pies will be judged by Durango chefs and samples will be available for the public, she said.
Other notable events include the Stars & Stripes Fourth of July Parade at 5 p.m. July 4 and a free jazz concert at Rotary Park by Southwest Civic Winds on July 1.
Visit Durango has an evolving schedule of events and more information about the selfie and sweepstakes contests at https://bit.ly/3Nu47n7
cburney@durangoherald.com
