July 4th in Boulder 2017: Four Ways to be Festive

july 4th boulder 2017
It’s Independence Day, everyone, and Boulder (and its near environs) famously has many ways to enjoy fireworks and other celebrations on this celebratory holiday Tuesday. With so much happening we wanted to give you the big picture so you could pick ad choose as you please. Nothing wrong with being choosy about how you spend your holiday time. Here are just a few (the top 4, because 4th, get it?) of the many:

  1. Of course, the first and uppermost 4th of July event most of us Boulderites think of is the classic singalong and fireworks display over at Folsom Field (everyone sing with me now: “Old Mr. Ford had a puncture in his tire…”). Buffs mascots Ralphie (the actual buffalo) and Chip (the award-winning human mascot in the no doubt sweltering costume) will be there this year to help sing in and celebrate the 4th in true Boulder style. Folsom’s gates will open at 8pm, then the entertainment begins at 8:30, and will continue till whenever it gets dark, when the fireworks will then begin.
  2. Our good old Boulder county neighbor, Longmont, celebrates the 4th all day starting with free concerts at 11 in the morning, over at Thompson Park, the party there continuing on through the evening fireworks over at the Fairgrounds. Again, as soon as it gets dark. All this wonderful music (Longmont symphony and Youth symphony, Chorale), and TinkerMill hosting carnival activities, a petting zoo, food trucks….you name it. Fireworks over in Longmont is just the icing on the red white and blue cake, it seems.
  3. Boulder is no slouch when it comes to daytime 4th events, though: the Boulder Reservoir has got all sorts of stuff going on for all ages, starting at 10am, including a beer garden, all kinds of water carnival stuff like paddle boarding and water slides, along with music and food and everything you’d expect from a giant beach party.
  4. Of course, Boulder being what it is, there are races and runs and such going on too. You’ve got your Craig Towler Freedom Run, which is either a 5k or a 10k, depending on your pleasure, which starts over at the aforementioned Boulder Rez. You’ve also got the Colorado Firecracker Run, over in Erie, which has a few different choices, including a 4 mile run, a 4K run, a kids’ version of a run. And what’s this about a crawfish boil at the slip n slide finish line? Now that sounds like a summer blast to me. Near neighbor Louisville has its Let Freedom Run, which is also a 5/10k, and Superior has its Superior Mile, which is apparently “the fastest street mile in in the US.”
  5. Honorable Mention: many of us do like to go to a strategic place and see many fireworks at once. Some prefer the foothills, or up at Chautauqua. Others like to go east to places like that open space over in Gunbarrel on 75th, and have a view of the whole close world’s celebrations. Just remember to keep the landscape on which you’re planting yourself safe and healthy. Which brings me to:

SAFETY NOTE FOR PET OWNERS AND SENSITIVE NEIGHBORS: Pets, especially dogs, can freak out at loud flashes and noises. The stress can actually cause health problems and can certainly cause them to run away. So keep your furry friends indoors and give them extra comfort. They don’t understand what’s going on. Shelters become crowded this time of year because of pups who run to escape the noise of fireworks. Be sensitive if you have pet neighbors and just know your pets might not like this whiz-bang like you.

Some humans, too, such as those who suffer from PTSD or severe anxiety, don’t handle fireworks well either, so do keep your immediate surroundings in mind before you light up.

Also know that some of what you might think of as traditional personal fireworks are actually illegal in Colorado, so be advised there too. The Boulder Daily Camera has a great rundown of what’s okay and not in the fireworks area, and has more cool 4th stuff to do beyond Boulder, too, so check that article out as well.

Whatever you do, stay safe and have a fun and happy 4th of July, Boulder!

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Jennifer Zukowski

Jennifer Zukowski

Jenn Zuko is adjunct faculty at DU, MSU Denver, and Regis University. She teaches courses in writing; literature; visual, performing, and martial arts; body language and stage combat. She is the author of Stage Combat: Fisticuffs, Stunts, and Swordplay for Theatre and Film, and “I Do My Own Stunts”. She can be seen performing on stage and in classrooms in the Boulder/Denver area, and online at Daily Cross-Swords, YourBoulder, and Writers’ HQ. She tweets at @bonzuko.
Jennifer Zukowski

Jennifer Zukowski

Jenn Zuko is adjunct faculty at DU, MSU Denver, and Regis University. She teaches courses in writing; literature; visual, performing, and martial arts; body language and stage combat. She is the author of Stage Combat: Fisticuffs, Stunts, and Swordplay for Theatre and Film, and “I Do My Own Stunts”. She can be seen performing on stage and in classrooms in the Boulder/Denver area, and online at Daily Cross-Swords, YourBoulder, and Writers’ HQ. She tweets at @bonzuko.

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