Residents and visitors will have multiple firework shows and Fourth of July activities to choose from this week, a welcome change from last year, when most shows were canceled as a result of extreme fire danger and the 416 Fire.
Durango, Silverton and Bayfield will hold firework displays, while the Vallecito community will experience a “laser show” instead of traditional fireworks.
Durango will hold its show starting at dusk Thursday. Fireworks will be launched from Greenmount Cemetery, which is the standard location for the Durango show, said Karola Hanks, fire marshal for the Durango Fire Protection District. What is not standard for Durango is the size of shells it will use for part of its show. This year, technicians will be launching 8-inch shells.
Spectators will not be allowed in the cemetery, and there will be a safety zone of 1,000 feet from the launch site.
DFPD will launch 708 shells, with 260 being saved for the finale.
Hanks said the best places to view Durango’s fireworks include the Tech Center on U.S. Highway 160 in west Durango, Fort Lewis College, most of the downtown area and the Durango Dog Park.
Hanks reminded dog owners that many dogs are scared of fireworks.
Hanks said fires are always a concern with fireworks, but fire crews will be at the ready to deal with any problems.
Silverton will also hold its annual show, which was ranked as the seventh-best show nationwide about six years ago, said Gilbert Archuleta, chief of the Silverton-San Juan Fire and Rescue Authority.
The fire authority will launch about 1,800 shells in 25 to 27 minutes.
This year will include six 8-inch shells, six 10-inch shells, six 12-inch shells and six 16-inch shells. Shells will be fired every three-fourths of a second.
The launch site will be roped off for the community’s safety, Archuleta said.
Most anywhere in Silverton provides a good viewing location, he said.
According to Archuleta, it is one of the best firework displays in the state. He reminded viewers there will be a lot of traffic.
The show will start at 9:30 p.m. Thursday and be done by 10 p.m., he said. Those planning to attend should understand it will take 2½ to 3 hours to make it back to Durango because of traffic.
Bayfield will begin its firework show at dusk at Joe Stephenson Park.
The Vallecito Community Event Center will host a laser show set to music rather than a firework display after permits from the Bureau of Land Reclamation were not granted.
Lisa Bourque, a representative of the event, said many Western resort towns are moving toward having lasers instead of fireworks.
The 30-minute show will be held from 9 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesday in the meadow on the west side of the lake behind Highland Reality. Before the laser show, there will be food vendors and live music with The Wild Country Band starting at 6 p.m.
There will be limited parking, with the majority of the parking on the west side of the lake.
bmandile@durangoherald.com
Fourth of July events
All events will take place Thursday, the Fourth of July, unless otherwise noted.
Durango
Rotary Park
7:30-11:30 a.m.,
12th annual Rotary All-American Gourmet Breakfast. Full breakfast and coffee. Cocktails an additional cost. Live patriotic music and readings. Proceeds benefit nonprofit/Rotary programs. $12/$6 at the door, $10/$5 in advance. Ages 4 and younger attend for free. Details: 946-4856 or 749-3295.
9 a.m.,
Freedom 5K. Run, walk or stroll on the Animas River Trail. Ends at Rotary Park. Register from 8:15 to 8:45 a.m.
9:15-10:45 a.m.,
Free concert with Southwest Civic Winds. Readings from Fort Lewis College American Voices.
Buckley Park
Noon-4:30 p.m.,
Independence Day Party. Beer from Steamworks and Ska, food provided by the Elks Lodge and live music by The Devin Scott Ukulele Band and The Pete Giuliani Band. Kids activities.
Downtown Events
6 to 6:45 p.m.,
Stars and Stripes Parade. College Drive to 13th Street.
7-9 p.m.,
Independence Day dance, transit parking lot. Live entertainment by The High Rollers, Ska Brewing beer garden, food and kids activities.
9:15 p.m.,
City fireworks display. Details about city events:
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Fort Lewis College
7:30 p.m. Thursday,
Fourth at the Fort celebration, Fort Lewis College Chapel Lawn, Rim Drive. Live music by Liver Down the River, food and beer. Free. Rim Drive closed from 7 to 10 p.m. Details:
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Bayfield
10 a.m. to 10 p.m.,
113th annual Fourth of July Celebration, Joe Stephenson Park. Parking and shuttle service at Bayfield Church of Christ, LDS Church and Bayfield Primary School. Handicap parking at Bayfield Town Hall. Details:
www.ourbayfieldparks.org/events
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7-10 a.m.,
Bayfield Lions Club pancake breakfast.
8 a.m.,
Calvary Presbyterian Church pie and craft sale.
10 a.m.,
Fourth of July parade, Joe Stephenson Park. Live entertainment, arts and crafts, food vendors, information booths and kids activities.
11 a.m.-5 p.m.,
Pine River Rotary beer tent.
Noon,
Serrano’s Annual Horseshoe Tournament, Eagle Park.
1 p.m.,
Corn Hole Tournament.
Dusk,
Bayfield Fireworks show, Joe Stephenson Park.
Vallecito Lake
Wednesday
6-9:30 p.m.,
Laser at the Lake show, behind the Vallecito Community Event Center. Food vendors and live music by The Wild Country Band. Laser show begins at 9 p.m. Bring chairs or blankets.
6-10 p.m.,
DJ Spark Madden, back garden of The Fur Trappers Steakhouse and Rendezvous Bar, 17460 County Road 501. Inside reservations required. Bring a chair or blanket for outside seating. Food and drink service available on-site. No cover charge. No pets.
Friday
6-9 p.m.,
Live music with Dave Mensch, The Rusty Shovel Saloon, 18044 County Road 501.
Saturday
5-9 p.m.,
Vallecito Community Summer Party at the Vallecito Community Event Center. Live music with The Garrett Young Collective, barbecue, beer, wine and business showcase. Tickets $15 per adult (includes two drink tickets), kids 12 and younger $10. Details: email Meghann Lynn at info@vallecitocommunityeventcenter.com.
Sunday
1-5 p.m.,
Live Music with “Void Where Prohibited,” The Rusty Shovel on the deck.
Silverton
8 a.m. ,
Silverton Fourth of July Celebration, Memorial Park, 1800 Greene St. Family friendly. Details:
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8 a.m.,
2K, 5K and 10K Fun Run, Memorial Park.
10:30 a.m. ,
Fourth of July Parade, Greene and Blair streets. Floats, motorcycles and ATVs. Kids against fire department water fight.
Noon-4 p.m.,
Carnival in the Park and Brass Band Concert, Memorial Park. Live music, bounce house, human hamster balls, Last Frontier Wild West Village, carnival activities, food and more.
2 p.m.,
Duck Derby, Cement Creek. Prizes awarded.
6-10 p.m.,
Greene Street Block Party. Food, drink, live music and stage acts.
Dusk,
Fireworks display. Set off near Shrine of the Mines on Anvil Mountain.
Purgatory
1:30-5 p.m. Saturday,
July Fourth Weekend Summer Brew Festival, Purgatory Resort beach area. Live music, local breweries and family friendly. $18-25. Kids are free.
Telluride/Mountain Village
Wednesday
1-5 p.m.,
Kids activities: carnival games, inflatables and face painting, Sunset Plaza.
1-5 p.m.,
Live music, Heritage Plaza.
2:30 p.m.,
Magic show, Sunset Plaza.
6-7 p.m.,
Live music with Lawrence, Sunset Concert Stage.
Thursday
8-10:30 a.m.,
The Rundola Foot Race, base of the gondola to the top of Lift 7.
11 a.m.,
Fourth of July parade, Main Street. Followed by firemen’s picnic in the park with games and events.
1-5 p.m.,
Kids activities: carnival games, inflatables and face painting, Sunset Plaza.
1-5 p.m.,
Live music, Heritage Plaza.
2-8:30 p.m.,
Live music with Claybrook Penn and Tom Nading, Joint Point and DJ Kat, Heritage Plaza.
2:30 p.m.,
Magic show, Sunset Plaza.
8:45 p.m.,
Movie: “The Sandlot,” Reflection Plaza.
After sunset,
Fireworks show.
Rules for fireworks
Fireworks come in all shapes and sizes, and under Colorado law, not all fireworks are allowed for public use.
Megan Graham, spokeswoman for La Plata County, said there are not plans to impose fire restrictions seen in years past but reminded the public that use of many fireworks is prohibited.
Prohibited fireworks include firecrackers, rockets (including bottle rockets), Roman candles, cherry bombs, mortars and similar items, such as M-80s, according to Colorado law.
If it goes off the ground or goes “boom” it is prohibited, said Karola Hanks, fire marshal for the Durango Fire Protection District.
Some types of fireworks are allowed, according to La Plata County code, including toy caps, sparklers and smoke snakes.
Fireworks are not toys and can cause resource damage and personal injury. Nationwide, there are 18,500 fires started each year from fireworks. Hanks said 70% of injuries during fireworks season are among males ages 25 to 44.
Hanks reminded people to supervise children who are playing with sparklers or other legal fireworks, stay away from dry fuels and not follow fireworks inspiration videos online.
Benjamin Mandile
