Towns in Montezuma and Dolores counties and on the Ute Mountain Ute reservation will host events and fireworks shows over the three-day July Fourth weekend.
Here is a schedule:
Fireworks begin about dusk July 4 at Parque de Vida. The adjacent Centennial Park will host the Four Corners Community Band and a beer garden.
Fireworks will be set off from a new launch site north of the duck pond of Parque de Vida to allow for more viewing space. Previously, the show was staged south of the Cortez Recreation Center.
The regularly irrigated Parque de Vida is a safe place for a fireworks show, said Cortez Fire Protection District Chief Charlie Borden.
“Even with our dry conditions, we can put on a safe show,” he said in a news release.
Because other Four Corners towns canceled fireworks shows because of dry conditions, Cortez is expected to attract a large crowd.
“We are thrilled that the Cortez Fire Protection District is staging the fireworks differently than in years past. This will open up a vast portion of the south end of Parque De Vida for viewing the show,” Parks and Recreation Director Creighton Wright said in a news release.
The Cortez Rotary Club will host its Independence Day beer garden in Centennial Park during daylight hours, and the Four Corners Community Band will perform a free concert at 6 p.m. at the Centennial Park Pavilion.
Mildred Road will be closed to vehicles for pedestrian traffic starting at 5 p.m. and will remain closed until the Cortez Police Department deems it safe to reopen.
New no-parking areas and traffic procedures will help guide folks away from the park safely and efficiently.
“Celebrate safely and responsible and please give our first responders right of way when they are responding to call on the roadways or in our parks,” Wright said. “We want everyone to enjoy the holiday safely and have fun!”
For questions regarding the Fourth of July celebration, email Wright at cwright@cortezco.gov.
The Mancos Fire Protection District tentatively plans a July 4 fireworks show at Boyle Park, said Town Manager Heather Alvarez. It could be canceled if conditions are too dry.
The Ute Mountain Casino & Hotel will host live music and fireworks on Sunday, July 3. The event is free.
- At 4 p.m., Dennis Yazzie and the Night Breeze Band, a local Native American group, will perform timeless country tunes.
- At 7:30 p.m., the Troubadour Experience, a George Strait tribute band, will perform.
- At dusk, the fireworks begin.
Saturday: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Southwest Freedom Big Truckin’ Car show at Cahone Park. Live music by Kaniatobe II and Friends at the pavilion. Vendors will offer food.
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.: The Kev and Maddy guitar duo will perform at Weber Park.
Sunday: Tournament Day at Weber Park. Matches begin for horseshoes at 8 a.m., volleyball at 9 a.m., and washers at 1 p.m.
July Fourth
- 8:30 a.m.: Parade lineup at Dove Creek Airport. Parade begins at 9 a.m.
- 10 a.m.: Awards and announcements at Weber Park.
- 10:30 a.m.: Kids games, including the greased pole challenge.
- 12:30 p.m.: Adult games at Weber Park.
- 2 p.m.: The notorious greased pig challenge, a Pick ’n’ Hoe tradition, at Weber Park.
- 3 p.m.: Corn hole contest at Weber Park.
- 6:30 p.m.: The band Crossroads will perform at Weber Park.
- 9:30 p.m.: The Dove Creek Volunteer Fire Department Fireworks Show from the Bean Tower Area. Find a parking spot anywhere in the north part of town, put the tailgate down and enjoy the show Dove Creek style.
Saturday: the Rico Women’s Club Bake Sale will be at the fire station, and its arts and crafts show will be set up at the school and run through Monday.
On Sunday, the Old Timers’ Community Picnic will be held at Town Park and include a volleyball tournament. Visitors may bring a side dish. At 9 p.m., the Light Parade starts at Soda and Silver streets. Everyone is welcome to join.
- On July 4 at 8:15 a.m., the Dan Holmes Memorial Fun Run, hosted by the Rico Trail’s Alliance, starts at the courthouse.
- At 10 a.m., parade floats line up at the Rico Church.
- At 11 a.m., the parade begins. The grand marshal is Mike Curran.
- At noon, the Rico Fire Department hosts Pat Fallon’s Philly Cheese Steak and hot dog lunch.
- At 2 p.m., the Rico Blues Project plays at the Enterprise Bar and Grill. For information and specials, visit the Enterprise Bar’s Facebook page.
- At 3 p.m., the traditional Duck Race begins on the Dolores River. The finish line is at the West Rico bridge. Tickets for the duck race may be purchased at www.ricofire.org.
- About dusk, the fireworks show begins.
