Dear Editor:
To the residences and visitors of Archuleta County.
It is with great sadness that I must report that the San Juan Squadron Pagosa Springs 4th of July Parade flyover will not happen this year.
The problem stems from the upheaval of complete repaving of the normal parade route, Highway 160 through Pagosa Springs. We did have a shortened “parade” last year, for which we opened with12 aircraft. The flight was a delight, but the parade itself was fraught with problems. As a result of those problems, the Town of Pagosa Springs decided to have a 4th of July Celebration at a park at the Yamaguchi Park, rather than a parade. The event was to be kicked off at 10:00 by our flyover, which, with 16 aircraft committed to fly, would have been the largest aircraft formation ever over Pagosa. Guest pilots were coming from Portland Oregon, Salt Lake City, Grand Junction, Albuquerque, and Bartlesville Oklahoma to celebrate the 4th of July in Pagosa.
Recently, I was advised that the event is to be moved to 3:00 PM. This creates several problems: 1) July is monsoon season in Pagosa, so strong afternoon thunderstorms are likely; 2) If there is no rain, afternoon thermals create sufficient turbulence to make a large formation unsafe and 3) many of the guest pilots planned to head back home in the late morning before it gets rough in the mountains. (Our rule of flying in the mountains is “off by 7:00 AM, on by 11:00 AM to avoid the turbulence.)
I spoke with the Pagosa Springs Parks and Recreation person responsible for the 4th of July celebration planning, hoping to change his mind, but the decision is final.
With the lack of snow and rain this year, it looks like even the 4th of July fireworks display will be cancelled. If the fireworks DO go off as planned, we hope to have a small ad-hoc formation to precede the fireworks.
It is important to note that all of the Patriots who fly with the San Juan Squadron are volunteers, and are not paid or compensated in any way. They are honored to be able to fly for American Veterans, the Fourth of July, and other community events. Hopefully the Town of Pagosa Springs will reimagine and reinstate the 2026 4th of July Parade which brings many tourists to our wonderful area.
Craig Taylor
Pagosa Springs San Juan Squadron
