“Salute to America” 4th of July festivities set for Downtown Durango
Business Improvement District coordinating full day of family fun
Durango, CO – A day of family-oriented activities is set for 4th of July in Downtown Durango as Alpine Bank and the Durango Business Improvement District (BID) present “A Salute to America.”
The Independence Day activities begin with the popular All-American Breakfast –organized by the Rotary Club of Durango – at Rotary Park (1500 block of E. 2nd Ave.) and features a variety of “gourmet” pancakes, eggs, ham, sausage, beverages and more. Tickets ($10 adults/$5 children) are available for pre-purchase from Rotary members, and will also be sold at the event. Serving time is 7:30-10:30 a.m.
At 9 a.m. the Freedom 5k, a fun run/walk along the Animas River Trail presented by Durango Parks and Recreation, will depart from Rotary Park. No entry fee is required, and all levels of runners and walkers are invited to join in the fun for prizes and surprises.
The center of activity then moves to Buckley Park (12th St. and Main Ave.) for American Voices, a Public Reading of the nation’s founding documents presented by Fort Lewis College and accompanied by the Southwest Civic Winds orchestra LIVE. The readings are set for 11 a.m.-noon.
Family Fun in the Park continues in Buckley until 5 p.m. with food, beverages, face painting, bouncy house, arts and crafts vendors, and live entertainment, including local bands The Assortment and The Cannondolls, plus Mysto the Magi magic act. (Opportunities for craft vendors remain. Apply at www.DowntownDurango.org/July4.)
Big Brothers Big Sisters will sell the last of its opportunity tickets for the “Homes with a Heart Playhouse” and draw the winning ticket at 4 p.m. Food sales benefit Building Homes for Heroes. Snow cone sales benefit the Durango Lions Club.
Concurrently in Buckley Park, children can sell their old toys, sports gear, games, and more at the Kids to Kids Flea Market, sponsored by Durango Toy Depot. Booth space is free but must be reserved by calling 970.403.8697 or visit Durango Toy Depot at 658 Main Ave.
The Durango Elks Club (901 E. 2nd Ave.) will host the popular Family BBQ, noon-4 p.m., featuring food, children’s activities, music and beer garden.
At 6 p.m. the Stars & Stripes Parade marches up Main Ave. (Additional parade entrants are currently welcome, free of charge. Contact Tim Walsworth, [email protected] to register.) Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three entrants.
The evening events continue after the parade (approximately 6:45 p.m.) with the Street Dance on Main. Food vendors, beer garden and live entertainment from the High Rollers at 11th St. and Main Ave. (new location) until 9 p.m.
Shortly thereafter at dusk, with the first BOOM, the Salute to America Fireworks display begins, launched from Cemetery Hill west of Downtown. Viewing locations are available throughout Downtown.
With the variety of activities planned for Downtown, parking will be limited. Locals are encouraged to walk, bike, car pool or use the City’s transit system for convenient access in and out of Downtown.
For more information or to view the complete 4th of July schedule, visit www.DowntownDurango.org/July4. Events details are subject to change without notice.
The Durango Business Improvement District was formed in 1997 with a goal and mission to support businesses within the District by assisting with special event marketing, providing research on topics of concern to the District (facilities, special events, best practices), planning and development of new facilities, and providing capital budget for equipment that enhances business in the District. Funding is generated by a 2 mill levy on property owners within the district, with additional marketing dollars contributed by the City of Durango and Durango Area Tourism Office.
Locally owned and operated, Alpine Bank has been a part of the Western Slope of Colorado for 41 years, and is celebrating more than 10 years serving the Durango community. With 38 convenient locations, Alpine Bank serves more than 130,000 customers with retail, business, trust, asset management, mortgage, and electronic banking services.
