Shoot, Spin, Spray, And Splatter! July 1st Blast Begins A Fun, Fantastic Four Day Birthday Bash
by Glen Richardson
Glittering Glendale Fireworks is set to launch a glowing, lengthy 4th of July weekend beginning on Saturday, July 1. The flareup of fantastic fireworks, food, and festivals is expected to draw a red, white, and blue explosion of revelers ready for the country’s big birthday bash.
Glendale’s jaw-dropping pyrotechnics — considered the Valley’s premier Fourth of July display — will once again light up the skies. Family and friends gather at eateries, bars, patios, and porches from LoDo to the Dam to view
Park Hill Parade: Watch this holiday tradition starting at 1:30 p.m. on July 4. Costumed characters, classic cars, and marchers’ parade on 23rd Ave. The parade ends at a Street Fair on the 2200 block of Kearney St.
the dazzling aerial display sponsored by the City of Glendale.
In addition to musical extravaganzas, a blockbuster art festival, and parades, the weekend is a celebration of all things wonderful about summer in the Cherry Creek Valley. Here is a step-by-step guide to keep you crackling, whistling, and glowing through the lengthy weekend:
Liftoff Blast – July 1
Glendale Fireworks Spectacular: One of the Valley’s largest and oldest, Glendale’s stunning salute returns to Infinity Park Stadium again this year, gates open 7:30 p.m. Families can sit in the stands or on the turf field for viewing. Movie shorts and videos will precede the fireworks show. There will be food trucks or you can bring food and beverages, no glass containers or grills. Fireworks start at about 9:40 p.m. Information: 303-692-5799.
Four Mile Park Gala: Games, activities, crafts, food trucks, and live music, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Denver Concert Band gives 45-minute performances at noon and 2 p.m. The event is prior to Glendale’s fireworks at Infinity Park. Information: 720-865-0800.
Lowry Parade & Festival: The quaint suburban area that was once an air force base, hosts its first 4th of July Parade & Festival at the Great Lawn Park, 9 a.m. to noon. Parade around the one-mile park will feature costumes participants riding decorated bikes or pulling-pushing wagons, or walking costumed dogs. Information: 303-344-0481.
Cherry Creek Arts Festival, July 1-3: View works by 250 national-international artists, plus 13 performing artists on the streets in Cherry Creek North, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Mon., 6 p.m
Party Like A Patriot: We the People like to party, proving it by crowding Civic Center Park’s 4th of July celebration downtown. Local groups, Symphony, play starting at 5 p.m., prior to fireworks finale.Photo by Evan Semón, 720-620-6767
. There will be vendors and food trucks, plus creative stations for kids. Information: 303-355-2787.
Colorado Rockies Games: Catch the Rockies as they take on the Detroit Tigers, 7:10 p.m. A stunning fireworks show follows the game. Information: 303-292-0200.
Let Color Fly — July 2
Stunning Shot: “If you rise above the storm, you will find the sunshine,” hints this David Meyhew photograph donated to this year’s Cherry Creek Art Festival. Let your soul and spirit fly this 4th of July.
Indigo Exhibit, July 2: Sculpture, textiles, and works on paper in rich-alluring blue opens in Denver Botanic Garden’s Freyer-Newman Center. See work by artists from the U.S., Nigeria, Japan, and South Korea created from the plant-derived dye. Exhibit continues through Nov. 5. Information: 720-865-3500.
Freedom Frenzy — July 3
Civic Center Celebration: Denver’s fireworks show returns to Civic Center Park at Broadway & Colfax. Local musicians, including Dragondeer, entertain at 5 p.m. The Colorado Symphony with singer-actress Sierra Boggess as guest, performs patriotic and contemporary favorites beginning at 8:15 p.m. The fireworks finale is about 9:30
Bold Strips, Bright Stars: Fireworks on July 1 from Glendale — aka Rugby Town USA — launches a lengthy 4th of July salute to the country’s big birthday bash from the city’s Infinity Park Stadium, gates open 7:30 p.m. (Photo by Seth McConnell)
p.m. Information: 303-861-4633.
Littleton Red, White & You: Clement Park fireworks show has community exhibits, a food, beer, and wine garden, plus Kids Zone beginning at 5 p.m. That Eighties Band plays in the Amphitheater at 8 p.m., fireworks a 9:30 p.m. Information: 303-409-2600.
Ballet Blast: Ballet company Wonderbound fires-up its new $8.1 million space with original wild west tale, The Sandman. The show is a collaboration with country rock band Gas
Art On The Streets: The Cherry Creek Arts Festival returns to the streets of Cherry Creek North July 1-3. This year’s show has 255 exhibitors, including 20 from last year plus five emerging artists.
oline Lollipops, and front-man Clay Rose. Information: 303
Fun At Four Mile: Four Mile Historic Park fires up the fun July 1 with games, activities, crafts, and food trucks, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Denver Concert Band plays at noon and 2 p.m.
-292-4700.
Belmar Bash: See a fleet of drones with LED lights at downtown Lakewood’s 4th of July show. Bash begins at 5 p.m. with live music, kid’s activities, local vendors, food, and drinks. Information: 303-987-7899.
Stars & Stripes — July 4th
Aurora Spectacular: Enjoy food trucks, musical performances, and fun activities on Aurora Municipal Center’s Great Lawn, starting at 6 p.m. Launch of fireworks is at 9:30 p.m. Information: 303-739-7000.
Park Hill 4th Of July Parade: This Northeast Denver tradition starts at 1:30 p.m. and runs on 23rd Ave. from Dexter S
Colorful Configurations: See colorfully-lit drones flying in patriotic formations at the July 4th celebration for the City of Lakewood and Belmar on July 3.
t. to Krameria St. Parade has 50-plus floats, costumed characters, classic cars, a marching band, and more. The parade ends at the Kearney Street Fair on the 2200 block of Kearney. Families will enjoy live music, kids’ activities, food, and more. Information: 303-918-6517.
Wash Park Family Fun: Plan a picnic at the historic Boathouse pavilion from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Stay for the evening’s patriotic concert by the Denver Municipal Band, 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Information: 720-913-0700.
Deadbeats Backyard Jamboree: Canadian electronic music duo Zeds Dead returns to Civic Center Park, 2-10 p.m. This year has three unique stages, plus food, games, and interactive art. Information: deadrocks.net.