Pagosa Country will be celebrating the Sesquisemiquincentennial (America’s 250th and Colorado’s 150th) Fourth of July with both local traditions and new events geared toward celebrating the milestone with the entire family.
The festivities will begin today, Thursday, July 2, and stretch through Sunday, July 5.
Additional events commemorating Colorado’s 150th will continue throughout the summer.
Thursday, July 2
The celebration will kick off with the long-running Park to Park Artisan and Food Market, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Town Park. The event, which stretches to Mary Fisher Park, offers vendor booths and live music.
The historic Gomez store will be open at the Archuleta County Fairgrounds from 4:30 to 6 p.m., offering a glimpse into a unique piece of Archuleta County history. The store originally opened in 1912 in Pagosa Junction, then a railroad town.
The 76th annual Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo will also kick off Thursday. It will begin at 6 p.m. at the Western Heritage Event Center rodeo and event grounds. Tickets are available online at www.pagosarodeo.com and at the gate prior to the event. The cost is $20 per adult and $10 for children.
Friday, July 3
On Friday, the Park to Park Artisan and Food Market will again be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Gomez store will again be open for viewing from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
The Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo will also be back in action at 6 p.m.
Saturday, July 4
The Fourth of July festivities will kick off on July 4 with the parade, which is slated to begin at 10 a.m. This year’s parade route stretches along Hot Springs Boulevard, Apache Street and South 5th Street to Yamaguchi Park.
The Park to Park Artisan and Food Market will also again be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pagosa’s Sesquisemiquincentennial Fourth of July Party in the Park will also kick off at 10 a.m., running until 10 p.m. Attendance is free to the public, and the event will feature something for everyone. The American Legion ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. and will honor America and Colorado with historical stories, cultural performances and local musicians. The party will also include games, contests, a dunk tank, arts and crafts, a scavenger hunt, heritage tents, a pooch parade, pickleball and more.
The Gomez store will again be open from noon until 2 p.m.
The annual Freedom Float will take place at 1 p.m. in San Juan River downtown, with participants invited to don their best red, white and blue, and join the floating fun.
The annual Pagosa Springs Community Band patriotic concert will take place at 2 p.m. outside at The Springs Resort.
The final performance of the 76th Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo will kick off at 2 p.m.
In lieu of fireworks, the evening will feature a Fourth of July hot air balloon glow at dusk (approximately 9 p.m.) at Yamaguchi Park, where you can enjoy hot air balloons lighting up the night.
Sunday, July 5
The final day of the Park to Park Artisan and Food Market will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ongoing
Those interested can also take in other ongoing offerings, like catching a Thingamajig Theatre Company performance at the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts, heading to Chimney Rock National Monument for a guided or self-guided tour of the site, or checking out the special and permanent exhibits at the Pagosa Springs History Museum.
For more events, see the calendar in The PREVIEW or at www.PagosaSUN.com.
Fireworks and fire
restrictions reminder
Fireworks that explode or leave the ground are strictly illegal for personal use everywhere in Colorado.
Fire restrictions remain in place throughout the area. Check the fire restrictions for the location you are heading before recreating and see related article.
randi@pagosasun.com
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