Pancake breakfasts and magic shows: July 4 in Durango has a family vibe
Some youngsters and their parents enjoy Mysto the Magi and an audience member perform a card trick with a sword. From the pancake breakfast to kick off the day to the fireworks at nightfall, Durangoans had plenty of opportunities to enjoy America’s birthday.
Mary Shinn/Durango Herald
A group of cyclists on penny-farthings brought some smiles to Durango’s Fourth of July parade on Main Avenue on Monday. The riders were supporting their friend Neil Hannum, the Chip Peddler, who was recently injured in a car-bicycle accident on U.S. Highway 550 north of Durango.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Candy is a crowd favorite at Durango’s Fourth of July parade down Main Avenue on Monday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Patriotic wear was the big fashion statement at Durango’s Fourth of July parade down Main Avenue on Monday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Don Triloa drives his 1936 International during Durango’s Fourth of July parade down Main Avenue on Monday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A group of cyclists on penny-farthings rode in Durango’s Fourth of July parade down Main Avenue on Monday. The appeared in support of their friend Neil Hannum, the Chip Peddler, who was injured in a bicycle-car accident recently. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Stran Mietchen, 2, had his face painted for Durango’s Fourth of July parade down Main Avenue. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Royalty wave to the crowd during Durango’s Fourth of July Parade down Main Avenue. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Lots of different groups participated in the Fourth of July Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Lots of different groups participated in Durango’s Fourth of July Parade down Main Avenue. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The weather was a bit warm so some enjoyed water spray during Durango’s Fourth of July parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The color guard leads the Fourth of July parade down Main Avenue. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Candy is a crowd favorite during Durango’s Fourth of July parade down Main Avenue. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Lots of patriotic wear showed up for the Durango Fourth of July Parade down Main Avenue on Monday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Politicians wave during Durango’s Fourth of July parade down Main Avenue. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Lots of different groups participated in Durango’s Fourth of July parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Lots of family and friends showed up for Durango’s Fourth of July parade down Main Avenue. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
La Plata County Sheriff’s Office new boat made an appearance during Durango’s Fourth of July Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
It’s the best seat for Durango’s Fourth of July Parade down Main Avenue. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A classic wooden boat was pulled down Main Avenue during the Fourth of July parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Lots of different groups participated in the Fourth of July Parade down Main Avenue. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Politicians wave to the crowd during Durango’s Fourth of July parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Politicians wave to the crowd during Durango’s Fourth of July parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Patriotic wear was the fashion statement of the day at Durango’s Fourth of July parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Any Fourth of July parade is not complete without miniature donkeys. And Durango’s Fourth of July parade was no exception. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
A child dances just before Durango’s Fourth of July parade down Main Avenue. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Lots of different groups participated in Durango’s Fourth of July Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Members of the Fort Lewis College band played during the Fourth of July parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Lots of family and friends showed up for Durango’s Fourth of July Parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Jake a mascot for Durango Fire Protection District showed up for the Durango Fourth of July parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Horses are always represented during Durango’s Fourth of July parades. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango’s Fourth of July parade lasted about an hour. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
The Fourth of July parade lasted about an hour. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Gorillas served as drivers during Durango’s Fourth of July parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Lots of patriotic wear was flashed during Durango’s Fourth of July parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango Mayor Christina Rinderle walked in the Durango’s Fourth of July parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Various groups participated in Durango’s Fourth of July parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Groups from all over the region participated in Durango’s Fourth of July parade. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Music, families and Independence Day excitement filled Buckley Park Monday.
Delighted children gathered round “The Mysto Mysto Show” and Michael Taylor the Catch-It-Quick Juggler with his flaming torches. The tykes fidgeted in long lines to have their looks transformed with red, white and blue face paint.
“It’s very American, ... very small town,” said Peggi Wright, who came to celebrate with her family from Bozeman, Montana.
Building Homes for Heroes filled the air in the park with the smell of hot dogs and hamburgers as part of a fundraiser to give houses to Iraq and Afganistan veterans.
This year, the nonprofit is on track to give a home to a veteran mortgage-free every 10 days, board member Jon Sigillito said.
He couldn’t say how much the group might raise, but everyone seemed to be in high spirits.
From the pancake breakfast to the parade, Durango compares well with Independence, California, where the Fourth is celebrated with fervor, said Allie Wilder, a Fort Lewis College student from the small town in eastern California.
Durango has a very similar community and family feel to her hometown of 500 people, she said.
Danielle Gunderson and her daughters Claire, 10, and Hailey, 8, came from Albuquerque to celebrate in colorful tutus.
“We found them in the store, and we just thought why not,” she said.
They dressed up partly because her girls planned to ride in the parade and to celebrate in the spirit of the day.
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