The High Park Fire has taken the fun out of June, but there will be several opportunities to get together as a community during July.
Independence Day Celebrations
First up, of course, is America’s 236th birthday party. Both Wellington and Fort Collins will be celebrating on the Fourth of July, which is a Wednesday this year. Red Feather Lakes has moved its festivities to the weekend.
Wellington and Fort Collins are planning their traditional fireworks shows around 9 p.m., by special permission of local fire marshals. Red Feather has cancelled its show in accordance with the ban on fireworks in unincorporated Larimer County imposed by the county commissioners on June 19. That ban extends to the private use of fireworks of any kind, so leave the ordnance to the professionals this year.
Wellington’s Family Fun Fest starts with a pancake breakfast at The Filling Station, 7 to 10 a.m., followed by the parade on Cleveland Avenue from Wellington Boulevard to Fifth Street.
At 11 a.m., the fun moves to Library Park, 3800 Wilson Ave., when food, crafts and other vendors’ booths open. For the kids, there will be inflatables from noon to 6 p.m., and the kids zone with game and a cake and cookie walk from 1 to 3 p.m. The free ice cream social is set for 2 p.m., and the Suicidal Lifestyles Stunt Team performs at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Live music and other entertainment throughout the day.
New this year, the car show moves into Library Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., while the lawn mower races, tractor show, tractor pulls and dirt drag races will take place one block north of Washington Avenue off County Road 7. For more information, go to www.townofwellington.com/cac or call 970-568-3381.
This year marks the 100th birthday of Fort Collins City Park, and the day’s celebration will focus on the gem of the city. The 11th annual FireKracker 5K kicks off at 8 a.m. in City Park, winds through a flat, fast course on city streets and back to Sheldon Lake in the park. A kids’ fun run takes off immediately after, at 9 a.m.
If golf is more your speed, check out the two-person better-ball tournament at the nearby City Park Nine with a shotgun start also at 8 a.m. Call 970-221-6650.
If spectating is your sport, be at the North Ballfield at 9:30 a.m. for the 31st annual Old Timers’ Game. But such a decision: The Fourth of July parade steps off from the Avery House also at 9:30 a.m., with a special salute to City Park and 100 Years of Transportation.
If you miss the Old Timers, you can catch the youngsters on the South Ballfield at 1 p.m. when the Fort Collins Foxes host the Loveland Bluejays.
The live music and food vendors set up at 1 p.m. and will be keeping the fun going until 9:45 p.m., when it’s time for fireworks. Live music will be located on the South Side of the Hill at City Park at the corner of Sheldon and Mulberry streets, food vendors at Jackson and Mulberry streets. Some of the bands that will be playing include the Poudre River Irregulars, Colorado Swing Big Band, Three Twins Broadband and the Fort Collins Symphony.
For complete details, race and tournament registration, and ballgame tickets, go to www.fcgov.com/july4th.
Mason Street closures start July 16
Before you go out and about to events this month, take some time to learn new ways to get around Fort Collins. Mason Street from Cherry to Laurel streets will be in various states of closure most of the month as construction on the long-awaited bus-rapid transit Mason Corridor begins.
From July 16-22 and again from July 30-Aug. 3, large sections of Mason Street will be closed for various construction activities, with intersections open as much as possible. From July 23-29, however, Mason and its intersections will be closed 24 hours a day as the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad removes and replaces all the steel rails and ties in downtown. Business access will be available through Howes Street, College Avenue or alley entrances.
For more information and email construction alerts, go to www.fcgov.com/mason, or follow the city on Twitter @fortcollinsgov.
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