Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in denver, CO

4th on the Front Range

June 30, 2009

What are you up to for the holiday weekend? Well, yet again, folks across the front range will not have a dearth of things to do. Just pick your town and get out there! Personally, we are heading to the Outlaws game for some lacrosse and fireworks! 

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ARVADA
Fireworks kick off at 9 p.m. on Friday, July 4th at the Lutz/Stenger Sports Complex located just west of Kipling on W. 58th Avenue. The fireworks are set to a musical simulcast on KOOL 105.1. Festivities begin at 3 p.m. Call 720-898-7400, or go to ArvadaFestivals.com for more information. There will be lots of family fun which include games, an obstacle course for kids, temporary tattoos, food concessions, and entertainment all day. KOOL 105 will be hosting a classic car show. Parking will be on a first come first serve basis beginning at 2 p.m. No parking will be allowed on Kipling Street. Please remember that fireworks, alcohol and pets are not allowed in the Lutz/Stenger Sports Complex.

AURORA
Fireworks will be launched 9:30 p.m. at the Aurora Municipal Center lawn and can be viewed within a two mile radius. The 25-minute professional firework display can be seen on Friday, July 4, on the lawn at East Alameda Avenue and Chambers Road. Live entertainment by the Aurora Symphony Orchestra will begin at 6:30 p.m., there will also be other walk around entertainment as well as food and beverages. There will be a concert at 8:15 p.m. by the United States Air Force Academy Concert Band. Places to park: Town Center at Aurora, Aurora City Place, and Community College of Aurora For additional information, visit AuroraGov.org or call 303-739-7000.

BLACK HAWK
Fireworks will begin at sundown. You can watch at any point in Black Hawk and the show will last about 30 minutes. More info at CityofBlackHawk.org or call 303-582-2235.

BOULDER
Fireworks spectacular at Folsom Field at the University of Colorado. Fireworks, choreographed to live music, begin at 9:30 p.m. Gates open at 7 p.m. and admission to the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour and fireworks display is free. Other entertainment will be provided by the Skip-Its Jump Rope Team and the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra.

BROOMFIELD
Great American Picnic and Fireworks Extravaganza will be held at Broomfield County Commons, located at 132nd and Sheridan. Kids activities start at 5 which include carnival games and inflatables, concert from the Funkiphino Band at 7. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. For additional information, call (303)-464-5530.

CASTLE ROCK
The Castle Rock Liberty Festival will be held at Rhyolite Regional Park. It's a holiday helping of family fun with kids events, live entertainment and of course, a fireworks show. The fun starts at 5 p.m. and ends with a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. The website for the event is Town of Castle Rock. For more information about the events, call 720-733-2284.

COLORADO SPRINGS
Fourth of July Celebrations will take place on July 4th in Memorial Park, located on the southeast corner of Hancock Avenue and Pikes Peak Boulevard. Fireworks begin at dusk. Memorial Park will be closed starting at 5 p.m. Live music with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra and other celebrations begin at 8 p.m. Grills are discouraged in the park but picnics are welcome. Go to SpringsGov.com.

COMMERCE CITY
On Friday, July 4, events will be held at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The fireworks will start after the Rapids game. Kickoff for the Colorado Rapids face off against the New York Red Bulls at 7:30 p.m. Food, kid's activities, a beer garden, and live bands will start at 5 p.m. To learn more go to ColoradoRapids.com or to the official website 4thFestColorado.com or call 303-727-3500.

DENVER
- Fireworks at Coors Field on Thursday and Friday, July 3 and July 4, after the Colorado Rockies game. Tickets required. For more information call (800) 388-7625 or 303-762-5437 or go to ColoradoRockies.com.
- Fireworks at Invesco Field at Mile High on Friday, July 4 following Outlaws Lacrosse game.
- Blues Traveler Concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The concert begins at 5 p.m. Red Rocks provides a good view of the fireworks show downtown. For more information contact: 303-830-TIXS.
- The 18th Annual Cherry Creek Arts Festival will be taking place July 4-6. The arts festival weekend event is a world-class and award-winning celebration of the visual, culinary and performing arts. The CCAF is located in Denver's Cherry Creek North Business District, from 2nd to 3rd, on the six streets starting on Clayton through Steele. Fireworks will be on Saturday, July 5, at 9:30 p.m. Best viewing is from 1st Avenue at Fillmore Plaza. Learn more at CherryArts.org.
- Go historic this Independence Day and bring the entire family for a day of fun at Four Mile Historic Park's Old-Fashioned 4th of July Celebration! Festivities will include visits from Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Uncle Sam; the reading of the Declaration of Independence and performances by the Denver Concert Band and other area musicians. http://www.fourmilepark.org/

EDGEWATER
Fireworks will be set off on Thursday July 3 at Citizens Park at 24th and Chase St. Vendors will begin serving drinks and food at 4 p.m. Fireworks will begin around 8:30 or 9 p.m. For more information, go to www.edgewaterco.com or call call 303-238-7803.

ENGLEWOOD
- Fireworks display will be launched from the baseball fields at Cornerstone Park at 9:30 p.m. on July 4th and can be seen from Belleview, Progress and Cornerstone Parks. There will also be games, entertainment, food and fishing on hand. For more information, call (303)762-2680 or go to City of Englewood. As a reminder, all alcohol, glass containers, pets and fireworks are strictly prohibited.
- The prestigious Colorado Symphony Orchestra presents a rousing "Spirit of America" performance at Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre. www.coloradosymphony.org

ERIE
- Fireworks will be shot off at Vista Ridge Golf Club on Thursday July 3. For more information about Vista Ridge's Independence Day Spectacular call 303-665-2732 or visit VistaRidgeGC.com.
- Erie will also be holding the first annual 4K run/walk. The race will begin at 8 a.m. at the community recreation center and is open to ages 13 and more. Call (303)-926-2793.

FORT COLLINS
 Fireworks begin at dusk at City Park 1599 City Park Drive. July 4th will kick off in Old Town Square and Civic Center Park at 11 a.m. with petting zoos, live music all day, beer gardens, wagon rides, and much much more! For more information, go to DowntownFortCollins.com.

GLENDALE
Fireworks are scheduled for Saturday, July 5th at dusk. The fireworks site is Creekside Park and families will be viewing at the Park, on office building lawns, in parking lots and from local streets. Call 303-759-1513 or go to the city's Web site or InfinityParkAtGlendale.com for more information.

GOLDEN
Fireworks begin at dark on Friday, July 4 at Lions Park, located 10th and Maple Streets. The Golden Lions Club will sponsor the day's activities at Lions Park. Park in the outlying parking lots to avoid the congestion on 10th St. after the fireworks. Entertainment will be provided all day from various bands. Drawings for door prizes, children's rides and food will also carry on throughout the day. For more information go to GoldenLionsClub.org or call the Golden Chamber of Commerce at 303-279-3113.

GREELEY
Greeley Independence Stampede -- a Rodeo and Western Celebration. There will be fireworks following the concert on Friday July 4th. For more information call (800) 982-BULL or log onto GreeleyStampede.org. It has become a tradition to spend the 4th of July at Island Grove Park.

GREEN VALLEY RANCH
Fireworks on Friday, July 4 at the Amphitheater and Plaza at Oakwood Homes area. There will be food, music and fun. To learn more, go to GVRCO.com.

HIGHLANDS RANCH
Fireworks will set off at 9:30 p.m. at the Intersection of Highlands on Ranch Parkway and Blake Drive. on the 4th. For more information call 303-791-2500. For more info, click here. There will also be a parade, kiddie rides, events for pets and concerts.

LITTLETON
- Fourth of July Festivities on Friday, July 4. A spectacular fireworks show will be launched from the baseball fields at Cornerstone Park. Other activities will take place at Belleview, Cornerstone and Progress Parks (near South Windermere and West Belleview Avenues.) Food concessions will be available. Face painting and field games start at 4 p.m. Go to Littletongov.org for more information.
- Clement Park is hosting a celebration on Thursday July 3 from 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m., followed by fireworks. For more information, call 303-409-2626 or visit IFoothills.org

LONE TREE
Residents from Lone Tree and Acres Green are invited to attend Lone Tree's 11th annual Independence Day Celebration, featuring the City's fourth annual Firecracker 5K Run, community parade, live entertainment, activities for kids, local food vendors and spectacular fireworks show. Wristbands are required to enter the Celebration at Sweetwater Park. These wristbands can be purchased on July 2 and 3. Parade into park begins at 4 p.m. Fireworks Display start at 9:00 p.m. Call 303-225-4948 or go to CityofLoneTree.com for more info.

LONGMONT
Celebrate the 4th of July with the wonderful music of the Longmont Symphony Orchestra at Thompson Park at noon. Public display of fireworks at Boulder County Fairgrounds, 9595 Nelson Road, will take place at 9:30 p.m. Call 303-651-8437 or click here for more information.

LOUISVILLE
Fireworks at dark at Coal Creek Golf Course, 585 W Dillon Rd. Free Shuttle Bus Service provided from 6 p.m. -11 p.m. Prior to the fireworks will be a picnic in the Community Park on Bella Vista Drive from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 303-666-8747 or click here for more information.

LOVELAND
 Independence Day Fireworks Display over at North Lake Park located at 29th and Taft beginning at 9:17 p.m., following 8 p.m "Star Spangled Spectacular" concert. Visitors to the July 4th Festival are urged to bicycle or walk to the park as parking will be limited to paid car parking in the lots at Loveland High School or on-street parking in surrounding neighborhoods. Call 970-962-2563 or CityofLoveland.org to learn more.

MORRISON
- Fireworks Display at Bandimere Speedway on Friday, July 4. Gates open at 3 p.m. Discount tickets are available at Big O Tires locations and advance tickets can be purchased at White Fence Farm, Mardel, and the Bandimere Speedway's Box Office. Tickets required to see the fireworks and the races. Click here or call (800) 664-8946 or 303-697-6001. Adults are $18 ($16 advance) and children 6-15 are $12 ($10 advance). Day begins with at 3 p.m. with qualifying racing, rides, live music and contests.
- Blues Traveler Concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. The concert begins at 5 p.m. Red Rocks provides a good view of the fireworks show downtown. For more information contact: 303-830-TIXS.

NORTHGLENN
Fireworks Display at 9:30 p.m. over Webster Lake at E.B Rains Jr. Memorial Park, 117th Avenue and Community Center Drive (S.E corner of 120th and I-25.) Hazel Miller Band will be performing prior to the display. Call 303-450-8935 for more information or go to Northglenn.org.

THORNTON
Fireworks display at Thornton Multipurpose Fields at East 108th Avenue and Colorado Boulevard at 9:30 p.m. Events prior to fireworks include walk-around entertainers, food and the Longmont Symphony Orchestra at 8 p.m. Call 303-255-7800 or click here for more information.

WESTMINSTER
Fireworks begin at dusk at Westminster City Park soccer field, at 105th and Sheridan. Entertainment begins at 7:30 p.m. For more information, check out the city's Web site or call 303-430-2400 ext. 2223.

*Information pulled from various sources, including CBS4, The Denver Channel, Fox 31 and Denver City Events site.

Last minute 4th of july fireworks guide

by Aimee Greeblemonkey

July 04, 2008

Happy Independence Day! This year we are lucky and the 4th falls on a Friday, making fireworks convenient for the whole family, right? I am, at least, a *little* more inclined to go ahead and let Declan stay up and see the splashes of color in the sky since we are at the beginning of a long weekend! Here are some of the best vantage points to catch the various shows across the Front Range, if  Read more...