From downtown parades, bullfighting to fireworks bursting in the night sky, the Four Corners is celebrating America’s Independence Day on its special 250th year, and the forthcoming holiday weekend brings no shortage of things to do.
Eager to race those rubber duckies in Silverton’s high-country or want to try the times in Durango’s pie-eating contest? Here’s a look at events occurring July 2-5 in Southwest Colorado and Farmington, N.M., and all that Fourth of July weekend has to offer:
Paint a Patriotic Mural, Hermosa Cafe, 738 Main Ave., stop by to paint huge canvas in patriotic colors anytime during the weekend.
Fort Lewis Community Concert, 5:30-7 p.m., Buckley Park, 1250 Main Ave.
Oscar’s Pie Eating Contest, 4-5 p.m., Durango Beer & Ice Co., 3000 Main Ave.
VFW Ice Cream Social, 5-7 p.m., Rotary Park, 1565 East Second Ave.
First Friday Art Walk, 5-8 p.m., in downtown Durango, grab a map for assorted, participating venues at 1135 Main Ave.
Animus on the Animas, 5-9 p.m., under the Jack Dempsey Mural, E. Tenth St. $20 for ages 8 and up. This family-friendly event showcases amateur, sanctioned boxing.
Civil Winds Concert, 6:30-8 p.m., Rotary Park, 1565 East Second Ave.
Red, White & Pro Bull Fights, 7 p.m., La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave, $35 for tickets & up.
All-American Gourmet Breakfast, 7:30-10:30 a.m., Rotary Park, 1565 East Second Ave. $17-20 for adults; $10-12 for children. Menu: scrambled eggs, sausage, pancakes, fruit toppings, biscuits and gravy.
Freedom 5K, 9 a.m., Rotary Park, 1565 East Second Ave. Run, walk or stroll Animas River Trail. Registration at 8:15 a.m.
Civil Winds Concert, 9:15 a.m.-10:45 a.m., Rotary Park, 1565 East Second Ave.
DEVO Bikes & Barbecue, Noon-4 p.m., Buckley Park, 1250 Main Ave.
Children’s Parade Decorating, 1-3:30 p.m., Buckley Park, 1250 Main Ave. Craft supplies available for costumes & bikes.
DEVO Kids’ Bike Race, 1:50 p.m., Buckley Park to 1200 Block of Main Ave., registration at 12:30 p.m.
Children’s Parade, 3 p.m., Buckley Park, 1250 Main Ave.
We the People! Parade, 4:30-5:15 p.m., Main Avenue, line up early on Main for the annual July Fourth community parade.
Street Dance, 5-10 p.m., Buckley Park and Main Ave., features Grammy-winning Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Dinner, food court and drinks available for purchase but free to attend.
Liberty Days Art Festival, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Buckley Park, 1250 Main Ave. A vibrant celebration for community art.
July Fourth Day 1 Preshow from 3-9 p.m. at Cortez’s Parque de Vida, 425 Roger Smith Ave.
Volleyball Tourney, 3-7 p.m., Parque de Vida, $50 per team, 4-on-4 format, two games to 15 & third game to 11. Pairs may join; registration closes 2:30 p.m.
Live Bands, 5:30-10 p.m., Parque de Vida, an opening band & Moonshine Mafia band to close show.
All-Day Outdoor Festivities from noon-11 p.m. at Parque de Vida, 425 Roger Smith Ave. Things to do: Kids’ Zone, Putt-putt, & Beer Garden, food vendors, water table area & more.
Co-Ed Kickball Tourney, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Rotary Baseball Fields, Parque de Vida. 9 vs. 9, $50 for existing kickball league teams; $75 for new teams. To register, call 564-4080.
Camino Cowboys music, Noon-1:30 p.m., Parque de Vida.
Corn Hole Tourney, 1 p.m., Parque de Vida.
Food Eating Contest, 1:30 p.m., Parque de Vida.
Bumz Arodn All-American Cars & Bash, 3-7 p.m., Montezuma Ave. & Mildred Road, games & prizes. Classes: Motorcycles, tuner, modern muscle, rat rod, truck, low rider, classic car, Volkswagen, street rod. $15 to register; accepting donations for Good Sam’s Food Pantry.
Camino Cowboys & the 14ers, 4-6 p.m., Parque de Vida.
American Legion Fireworks & Food Trucks, starts 4 p.m., 320 N. Harrison St.
Winston Creek band, 6:30-8 p.m., Parque de Vida.
Zander Rodriguez music, 8:30 p.m., Parque de Vida.
Fireworks Show, 9-9:30 p.m., Parque de Vida.
Zander Rodriguez music, 9:30-11 p.m., Parque de Vida.
Flag Dedication Ceremony, 4:30 p.m., Citizens Bank Main Branch, W Broadway, Citizens Bank dedicates a newly installed 60-foot-tall flagpole honoring veterans, first responders and teachers of the Four Corners. Light refreshments & popcorn will be served.
Firecracker Fun Festival, 1-4 p.m., Bisti Bay Water Park, 1701 N Dustin Ave., water games, activities and prizes. $6 per person. Admission to the pool gets participants access to festival.
Gem & Mineral Show, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., McGee Park, 41 Road 5568. Enjoy gemstones, jewelry, mineral specimens, tools, books, family activities and door prizes.
Fireworks Display, 9:25 p.m., Sullivan Hill, west of 13th Street and College Boulevard, display choreographed to a soundtrack of patriotic hits; simulcast on KWYK 94.9 FM. Tune into 94.9 FM early for updates on the display. Popular viewing areas: San Juan College, Farmington Public Library and the Farmington Museum and Visitor Center.
Gem & Mineral Show, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., McGee Park, 41 Road 5568.
Party in the Park, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Brookside Park, 1901 N Dustin Ave., vendors, live entertainment and a skateboard competition will all be a part of this family-friendly event.
Ice Cream Social, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., E3 Children’s Museum, 302 N. Orchard Ave.
Summer Terrace Series, 6-7:30 p.m., Farmington Museum & Visitor Center, 3041 E Main St., an evening of free live music featuring the Kissmah Brass Band.
Freedom Days Electric Light Parade, 9 p.m., downtown Main Street, illuminated floats and patriotic entries make their way through the historic downtown.
Gem & Mineral Show, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., McGee Park, 41 Road 5568.
July Fourth Parade, 10 a.m., Hot Springs Boulevard.
Party in the Park, begins 10 a.m., Yamaguchi Park, 684 S. Fifth St. Cake, beer, wine, food, games, contests, adventure zone, dunk tank, arts & crafts, scavenger hunt, heritage tents, pickleball and more.
Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo, 2 p.m., Archuleta County Fairgrounds, 344 U.S. Hwy 84, Celebrate the 76th anniversary of Red Ryder Roundup.
Freedom Float, 1 p.m., San Juan River and through downtown, grab a tube, dress in red, white and blue and join the float.
Community Band Concert, 2 p.m., enjoy a concert of patriotic favorites performed by the community band.
Hot Air Balloon Glow, at dusk, Yamaguchi Park, 684 S. Fifth St. Hot air balloons light up the evening at Yamaguchi Park.
Live Music and Entertainment, 5-11 p.m., Ute Mountain Casino Hotel, 3 Weminuche Drive, music from Miracle Spotted Bear & Antoine X. Free event.
Food, Kids’ Games, Fireworks & More, 2 p.m. to 1 a.m., Ute Mountain Casino Hotel, 3 Weminuche Drive, featuring George Strait Tribute Band, fireworks display at dusk and Young Guns band to follow.
70th Annual Pick-n-Hoe Parade, 9 a.m., Weber Park, 403 W. 7th St., going from the Dove Creek Airport to Weber. Free entries at Airport, 8:30 a.m.
Daylong Pick-n-Hoe Event, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., Weber Park, 403 W. 7th St., kids’ and adults’ games, corn hole tournament, pig chases, barbecue, live music. Fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
Silverton Farmers Market, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Anesi Park.
Live Music at The Coffee Bear, 10 a.m.-noon, 1309 Greene St.
Live Music at Dera Deli, noon-3 p.m., 1124 Greene St. Tyler Simmons performs as the deli celebrates its first anniversary.
First Friday Art Walk, 4-7 p.m., Blair and Greene streets. Theme: “Christmas in July.”
Blue Ribbon 5K Registration & Live Music, 5 p.m., Anesi Park, 1239 Blair St. Early registration with music and entertainment.
Live Music at Alpine Tavern, 8-10 p.m., 1159 Greene St. James Bailey performs.
Pancake Breakfast, 7-10 a.m., Anesi Park. Donation-based breakfast featuring pancakes, eggs, bacon, coffee, orange juice.
Blue Ribbon 5K & 10K Fun Run, 8 a.m., Memorial Park. Free event.
Fourth of July Parade, 10:30 a.m., downtown Silverton. Parade lineup begins at 9:30 a.m. at the San Juan County Courthouse.
Jet Flyover, 11 a.m. (subject to change).
Games, Vendors and Family Picnic, after the parade, Memorial Park. Includes rhubarb pie sales, ducky derby activities and mechanical bull rides.
Annual Ducky Derby Launch, 2 p.m., Memorial Park/Cement Creek. Ducks available for purchase at the visitor center in advance or in Memorial Park after the parade.
Live Music, 2-4 p.m., Anesi Park. SideFX Band performs.
Live Music at Dera Deli, 6-9 p.m., 1124 Greene St. Shane Tippon performs on the patio.
Block Party, 6-9 p.m., Anesi Park, 12th and Blair streets. Live music by the Hugh Phillips Band, food and family activities.
awatson@the-journal.com
