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Four things to do on Fourth of July weekend

Celebrate with competitions, parades, light shows and music
Fireworks, a drone show, parades and eating contests are taking place to mark the Fourth of July weekend. (Durango Herald file photos)

La Plata and San Juan counties are set to launch an array of dazzling activities this Fourth of July, including patriotic parades, a mesmerizing drone show, electrifying music performances and fireworks in the mountains.

Mother Nature is blessing the occasion with clear skies and highs of 87 degrees in Durango. Rain is predicted in the higher mountains, so bring an umbrella and poncho if headed to Silverton for the fireworks show.

The holiday falls on a Tuesday this year, but the fun starts Saturday in Durango. Here are four activities to consider for celebrating Independence Day.

1. Watch a sparkling spectacle

The city of Durango will join forces with Pixar Drone Shows to orchestrate a light show Tuesday night. Picture this: 125 glowing drones taking flight from the top of Greenmount Cemetery, seamlessly painting the sky with vibrant colors and patriotic imagery. The dance of technology and artistry will last 10 minutes and begin at 9:15 p.m.

Last year’s drone show featured images that represented Southwest Colorado. The spectacle lasted a little over 10 minutes. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)

Ellen Babers, community events administrator, said the show will cost about $45,000. Fireworks were considered for this year’s celebration, however, persistent drought conditions, excessive litter, loud noise and nonrefundable contracts turned the city of Durango’s focus to a drone show.

The city of Durango celebrated Independence Day in 2022 with its first-ever drone show. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)

“Fireworks were scheduled from 2016 to 2021 and were canceled four out of the six years,” Babers said. “We want to provide the community with a reliable show.”

The spectacle can be best seen from the Durango Transit Center, where music for the show will be played over speakers. Spectators should also be able to see the show clearly anywhere from Sixth to Ninth streets between Camino del Rio and East Third Avenue.

For those longing to relish in the magic of old-school fireworks, the Silverton Volunteer Fire Department and the Fourth of July Association will host a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. The rugged peaks provide a remarkable backdrop for a kaleidoscope of colors in the night sky.

2. Catch a patriotic parade

The Stars & Stripes Parade will take center stage at 5 p.m. Tuesday in Durango before the drone show. Bands, singers, cyclists, horses, fire engines and festive floats will start at College Drive and travel north on Main Avenue to Buckley Park.

Bob Wilson, a local carpenter and contractor, will showcase a restored fire truck from 1923 in the parade. He has worked for five months to bring the truck back to life. It was previously owned by Jim Ownes, a Durango firefighter volunteer, until he died in 2019.

“The truck is 100 years old this year and it’s really special,” Wilson said. “It’s a beauty.”

Bayfield will also hold an Independence Day parade at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. The family-oriented celebration has been a tradition in the community for decades and will feature bands and extravagant floats.

Carts pulled by miniature donkeys rattled down East Mill Street during the 2021 Independence Day parade in Bayfield. (Durango Herald file)
3. Bring your A-game

All food enthusiasts and thrill-seekers are called to the La Plata County Fairgrounds on Saturday for the Taste of Independence, a celebration of local food trucks. The event starts at noon and will feature the ultimate pie-eating contest.

Oscar’s Cafe will provide 12 of its enormous pies for 12 competitors to devour. The showdown will begin at 2:30 p.m. and prizes will be offered to first-, second- and third-place finishers.

11th Street Station will continue the competitive fun with a watermelon-eating contest at 4 p.m. Three rounds will determine a first- and second-place winner.

“We are a small town and wanted to do small-town stuff,” Babers said. “We want to bring back classic traditions, and our businesses were all for it.”

Bakers can put their culinary skills to the test at the apple pie baking contest at EsoTerra Ciderworks on Main Avenue. A panel of local chefs will judge pies baked within 24 hours of the competition. The event will take place at 3 p.m. Monday.

If lawn games are more your speed, Bayfield will host a horseshoe and cornhole tournament at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday in Eagle Park.

4. Get groovy

An extraordinary lineup of live music experiences are set for the holiday weekend, so get ready to unleash your inner dancing queen.

The 18th annual Party in the Park will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday in Buckley Park and feature three-time Grammy award-winning band, Ozomatli, with an opening set from DJ I-Gene. Tickets can be purchased online for $25 at www.ksutpresents.org/party-in-the-park-2023.

Gasoline Lollipops, originally from Boulder, will also perform Saturday with a special feature from Dreem Machine. The show will take place at 8 p.m. at Animas City Theatre. Tickets can be purchased for $20 at www.etix.com/ticket/p/3277978/the-burroughs-durango-animas-city-theatre.

The Southwest Civic Winds Jazz Band will hold two free concerts for Independence Day. Its first performance will be at 6:30 p.m. Sunday in Rotary Park. It will also perform at 9 a.m. Tuesday during the Rotary Club All-American breakfast and freedom 5k run at Rotary Park.

Buckley Park will offer a movie night on Monday, when the classic movie “The Sandlot” will play on a 20-foot screen. Before the movie, people can enjoy live music from Drama Club at 7 p.m.

glanderyou@durangoherald.com

Fourth of July Events - Durango

For a list of Fourth of July events going on in the city of Durango, visit https://www.durangogov.org/1260/4th-of-July-Events



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