SOUTH METRO 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS GUIDE Parades, show, fireworks

Drone

And More

After having multiple reworks displays canceled in 2022 due to re concerns, this year is a di erent story. For Independence Day this year, most municipalities and counties are preparing for daylong celebrations that will be capped o with the traditional reworks display, or the emerging alternative, drone shows

Here’s what is planned in Arapahoe and Douglas counties and the Columbine area of south Je co:

Highlands Ranch

The community can enjoy a wide range of entertainment and activities as all Fourth of July events in Highlands Ranch return this year.

Starting at 7:30 a.m. celebrations will start with a family-friendly Independence Day 5K, presented by CU Medicine.

Located in Town Center South, participants ranging from elite runners to kids to parents with strollers and furry friends have the chance to walk or run the festive course.

A red, white and blue kettlebell will be hidden out on the course, worth $100 to whoever finds it and brings it to the finish.

Following the race will be the Family Bike and Pet Parade.

Parker

This Independence Day, Parker residents will be able to enjoy a firework show that can be seen throughout the community for the town’s annual celebration.

Following the drone show from last year’s event, an extensive survey of resident feedback showed residents missed having the fireworks display. This year, the professional firework display is back.

Although there is no daylong event in Salisbury Park, the fireworks show starts at 9:30 p.m., weather permitting. Fireworks will be launched from Salisbury Park, but residents are encouraged to view the show from various locations throughout the town.

Lone Tree

The City of Lone Tree will host a series of events for families to enjoy July 4 including a firework show and live musical performances.

The celebrations kick off at 9 a.m. July 4 at Lone Tree Elementary, located at 9375 Heritage Hills Circle, with the “4th of July Family Fun Ride & Stroll” event.

Attendees can bring their bikes, scooters, wagons

SOUTH JEFFCO: RED, WHITE AND YOU

Foothills Park and Recreation District will start celebrating Independence Day early on July 3 at its Red, White and You event. The celebration will feature bounce houses, food vendors, a free concert and a fireworks display.

The event will run from 5 to 10 p.m. at Clement Park, located at 7306 W. Bowles Avenue.

Englewood

After a lack of fireworks on Independence Day 2022 led to many complaints from the public, the much-loved Englewood display is back this year in its usual location at Belleview and Cornerstone parks. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. on July 4 with food trucks, vendors, music and other fun, and the fireworks will close out the evening. Partner agencies helping to support the

Castle Rock

Castle Rock is hosting a full-day event for the Fourth of July, including live music and a drone show, at Philip S Miller Park.

Starting at 9 a.m. the day will kick off with a free, untimed 5K, which will be followed by a foam party, food trucks, patriotic movies, kids activities and magic shows throughout the day.

Beginning at 8:45 a.m. accompanied by a parent, children ages 2 through sixth grade can get into the Independence Day spirit by dressing themselves, pets and bikes in patriotic attire.

Free to participate in, the parade route is 0.2 miles and goes on Hepburn to Highlands Ranch Parkway east and south into Town Center South parking lot. Starting in front of the Kaiser Permanente building, located on 9285 Hepburn St., the Highlands Ranch Community Association’s annual Fourth of July Parade will begin at 9 a.m.

The parade will include local companies, charitable organizations, school groups and so much more.

The participant application deadline for the 1.02mile Community Parade is 5 p.m. on June 26.

Parade street closures will be from 5:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. These include Highlands Ranch Parkway and strollers to the school to be decorated before heading down the Willow Creek Trail to Prairie Sky Park, located at 9381 Crossington Way. The roughly 1-mile journey, scheduled to start around 9:30 a.m., is also open for those who wish to walk rather than ride.

Salisbury Park will be open to the public during the day, however, there will be no additional activities or services.

The large grass lots used in prior years will not be available for parking as there are 300 paved firstcome, first-served spaces available.

According to Andy Anderson, Parker’s communications director, staff learned most people watched the fireworks from areas throughout town rather than Salisbury Park.

“There are also challenges surrounding the future of the Salisbury Park fireworks launch site that could possibly complicate hosting an event there in future years,” said Anderson.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., families are invited to enjoy games, live entertainment, food trucks and inflatables at Prairie Sky Park. The event is free but space is limited, so residents have to register online

There will be a “kids zone” featuring ticketed bounce houses and an inflatable hockey rink. While the kids play, parents can enjoy the beer and wine gardens and many food vendors.

At 7 p.m., an ‘80s tribute band called That Eighties Band will perform.

The fireworks display, which is weather and fire-ban dependent, will begin at 9:30 p.m.

Families are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or event are Littleton, Sheridan, Arapahoe County and South Suburban Parks and Recreation. The area used for fireworks at Belleview and Cornerstone parks is on the north side of Belleview Avenue east of Windermere Street. Personal fireworks will be prohibited at the event and organizers ask that attendees leave pets at home. Service animals are permitted. The event will be free and open to the public. between Lucent and Broadway, Zotos, Ridgeline from Dorchester to Highlands Ranch Parkway and Blake Dr., from Ridgeline Blvd. to Highlands Ranch Parkway. in advance at bit.ly/4july23. blanket to the free event, but canopy tents and large picnic umbrellas are not allowed. Pets are also not permitted at the event.

In the evening, Super Diamond, a Neil Diamond tribute band, will perform at 8 p.m. Then, once it’s dark, the event’s finale will be a drone light show. The light show will also be visible from the Santa Fe Quarry Butte, located in the Red Hawk area.

For more information and a full schedule, visit CRgov.com/July4.

The Highlands Ranch Metro District partnered with the Highlands Ranch Community Association to provide the community with a professional fireworks display at Highlands Heritage Park, located at 9651 S Quebec St. which is free and open to the public.

Attendees may bring food, however, there is no on-site cooking, and will have the opportunity to purchase from food trucks — which will be announced. Biking, walking, or rideshare is encouraged as there will be no shuttles provided.

The firework display begins at approximately 9:30 p.m. The firework fallout zone will be marked and fenced.

Due to the Salisbury Park North expansion and varying factors, the town decided to offer an expanded event this fall in the downtown area that will feature a drone light show during Parker Fall Fest.

According to a press release from the town, a resident survey provided select public parks and other locations which are good for viewing the display. Those include Bar CCC Park, McCabe Meadows, Tallman Meadow Park and Stroh Soccer Field.

For those who do not intend to drive, the Cherry Creek Trail between Hess Road and Mainstreet could be a viewing location.

A full list and map of possible public parking areas will be made available online before the event.

At 6 p.m., Prairie Sky Park will open for people to gather. At 7 p.m., musical performer Jenny Shawhan will perform at the park. Uptown Funk, a Bruno Mars tribute band, will take the stage at Prairie Sky Park at 8 p.m.

The fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. and will be visible from various locations in Lone Tree. To learn more, visit cityoflonetree.com/cityevents/july4.

Parking will be limited, so organizers encourage visitors to carpool and park at Columbine High School and specified areas of Southwest Plaza Mall. There will also be availability in Clement Park lots, which are likely to fill up between 6 and 7 p.m. No parking will be allowed on the frontage road in the park.