Estes Park Pledges a Patriotic Fourth of July Weekend - 06/17/2008

The Fourth of July Weekend in Estes Park is filled with annual patriotic events commemorating the best in this traditional summer holiday celebration. Horse shows, antique car shows, patriotic concerts, swimming, boating, mountain biking, picnicking, and fireworks are a part of the activities and scheduled events.

Arabian Horse Show Championships
The Region 8 Arabian Sport Horse Championships will be on display and compete in Estes Park for the 56th year July 3, 4 & 5. The Arabian horse has a reputation for intelligence, spirit, and stamina with a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage. Not only is the Arabian horse is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world, it is also one of the oldest horse breeds.
Riders and their mounts will compete in a variety of competitions ranging from Reinsmanship to Dressage; a competitive event in which horse and rider are judged on elegance, precision and discipline of the horse movements. Competitions begin at 9 a.m. daily and continue into the evening. On July 4, Arabian Show spectators can enjoy the fireworks over Lake Estes from their grandstand seats when the lights are turned off prior to the 9:30 p.m. fireworks display. There is no admission fee to the horse show. Stanley Park Fairgrounds is located at 1209 Manford Ave.

Coolest Car Show
On July 4, Bond Park in the center of downtown Estes Park is filled with autos that are at least 30 years old in the “Coolest Car Show in Colorado” marking the 10th year the antique autos are displayed for the Independence Day holiday. The cars will be parked on the grass and along MacGregor Ave. between Elkhorn and Wonderview Dr. (U.S. Hwy. 34 bypass), which will be closed to traffic during the show hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Close up inspection to see the vehicles is $4 for adults, $2 for students; no more than $10 for the entire family.

Village Band Patriotic Concert
Performance Park Amphitheater at 417 W. Elkhorn Ave. is the site for the annual Patriotic Concert with Estes Park’s favorite village band. At 7 p.m., the evening skies will be alive with music adding to the holiday celebration. Admission is free for this event.


Fireworks over Lake Estes
Estes Park offers one of the most brilliant fireworks displays in Colorado. Not only do the colorful explosives light up the night sky; the display is reflected in the waters of Lake Estes. The skies become alive about 9:30 p.m. Families line up all along Lake Estes to view this spectacular event and to hear the sounds of the explosives echoing across the mountain ranges.
Locals say the best viewing spots for seeing the fireworks display is anywhere there is a view corridor toward the lake. Visitors and locals alike also set up blankets and chairs at the Stanley Park ball fields and playground areas to watch the display.
There is no charge to watch the fireworks at the lakefront; however, there is a $5 fee to park near the lake.
Traditionally, people coming for the fireworks, plan to spend the entire day or weekend in Estes Park. Mountains bikes and peddle surreys, boats, and pontoons, are available for rent at the Lake Estes Marina, as well as outfitter stores in town. Estes Park also has family amusement areas with grand prix ride-a-karts, bumper cars and boats, batting cages, an “xtreme” trampoline, miniature golf courses, a giant slide and arcades. There are picnic pavilions along the southern side of Lake Estes and the trail around the lake is filled with people enjoying the views of the mountains, the wildlife, and the tranquility that fills this mountain village.
Now in its third year, the Town of Estes Park is providing free summer shuttle service throughout the downtown area, into Rocky Mountain National Park with stops around the Estes Valley. Shuttle maps are available at the Visitors Center where the shuttle hub is for pickups and drop offs. Visitors can park their cars for the day; walk the Lake Estes Trail to the Visitors Center and take the shuttle for shopping, to the family amusement areas, to Barlow Plaza and Performance Park for free musical concerts or into the national park; arriving back at the Visitors Center in time to watch the fireworks.

Music
July 2: Estes Park Jazz Big Band. Performance Park. 417 W. Elkhorn Ave. 7 p.m.
July 2: Queen City Jazz Band. Free SummerFest concert at the Walter Ruesch Auditorium on the grounds of the YMCA of the Rockies-Estes Park Center. 7:30 p.m. 970-586-3341
July 3: Lynn Skinner Quartet Concert. Performance Park Amphitheater. 417 W. Elkhorn Ave. 7 p.m.
July 4: Elk Hollow in Concert. Barlow Plaza on the Riverwalk. 5:30 p.m.
July 5: Dick Orleans performs on Riverside Plaza. 3 p.m.
July 5: Music in the Mountains Faculty Concert. Tickets: Adults: $15; Seniors 65 and over: $12. Rocky Ridge Music Center. 465 Longs Peak Rd. 3 p.m. 970-586-4031
July 5: Coot Lake Band. Free SummerFest concert at the Hempel Family Program Building on the grounds of the YMCA of the Rockies-Estes Park Center. 7:30 p.m. 970-586-3341
July 6: Music in the Mountains concert featuring Scandinavian composers. Tickets: Adults: $15; Seniors 65 and over: $12. Rocky Ridge Music Center. 465 Longs Peak Rd. 3 p.m. 970-586-4031
July 7: Colorado Music Festival Orchestra Patriotic Concert. Performance Park Amphitheater. 417 W. Elkhorn Ave. 7 p.m.