Ready for a return to normalcy?
After paring down its Fourth of July festivities the past two years, Fort Collins is back with its usual full day of events and fireworks show over City Park.
But instead of July 4, the city’s Independence Day events will take place Saturday — a response to “ongoing challenges still with staffing and supply shortages,” Fort Collins Parks Director Mike Calhoon said in a statement earlier this year.
Here is Fort Collins’ full list of Saturday events as well as some other celebrations planned across Northern Colorado.
Fourth of July weekend in Fort Collins
Stars & Stripes Golf Tournament
When: 7:30 a.m. Saturday
Where: City Park Nine, 411 S. Bryan Ave.
Start your Fourth of July weekend on the fairway with City Park Nine’s annual Stars & Stripes golf tournament. The two-person team event begins with a 7:30 a.m. shotgun start and includes a 9-hole scramble and 9-hole best ball tournament. For more information, call City Park Nine at 970-221-6650.
FireKracker 5K
When: 7:30 a.m. Saturday
Where: City Park
Not much of a golfer? Get outside Saturday morning with the FireKracker 5K instead. The race — in its 23rd year in Fort Collins — takes runners on a flat course through City Park. The morning kicks off with race-day registration starting at 6:15 a.m., the national anthem at 7:25, the citizens race at 7:30, elite race at 8:30 and kids race at 9. Adult registration is $40 in advance and $45 starting Friday. Registration for youths, veterans and active military is $35 until Friday, when the price increases to $40. For more information or to register, visit firekracker5k.com.
No FORTitude, no problem:Here are 5 fall Northern Colorado road races to train for this summer
Independence Day Parade
When: 10 a.m. Saturday
Where: Mountain Avenue
In a grand return to Fort Collins’ Fourth of July traditions, the city’s annual Independence Day parade is back. Floats will travel up and down Mountain Avenue starting at 10 a.m. Saturday.
An old-fashioned Independence Day
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: The historic Avery House, 328 W. Mountain Ave.
Want to step into a time machine this holiday weekend? Head to Fort Collins’ historic Avery House. The grand home — built at the corner of Mountain Avenue and Meldrum Street in 1879 — will once again host its annual old-fashioned Independence Day celebration. Running in step with the city’s morning parade, the free Avery House event will kick off at 10 a.m. with old-fashioned lawn games, face painting, house tours and food trucks. For more information, visit poudrelandmarks.org.
Baseball games
When: 1-7 p.m. Saturday
Where: City Park baseball fields
Take yourself out to a ball game this weekend, with the Fort Collins Baseball Club alumni game starting at 1 p.m. and the Fort Collins Force collegiate game at 4:30 p.m. Both games will take place on the south field at City Park.
Lifeguard on duty?:Labor shortage hits Fort Collins recreation facilities. Here are new hours, closures
Cool down at City Park Pool
When: 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: City Park Pool, 1599 City Park Drive
Escape the July heat with a dip in City Park’s pool this Fourth of July weekend. The city-run pool will be open for special hours and feature a discounted $3 entry fee Saturday.
Ride the trolley
When: Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Where: City Park and Mountain Avenue
All aboard! Fort Collins’ pair of historic streetcars are on track for some some Fourth of July fun. Whether you need to get around Old Town during the holiday weekend or you’re just interested in the trolley experience, hop on one of the streetcars from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday or Sunday. The cars take off from their City Park depot and run up and down Mountain Avenue. Rides will be free on Saturday. Fares are typically $2 for adults, $1 for seniors and children, and free for children under 3.
Coloradoan history podcast:Inside the fight (yes, there was a fight) for Fort Collins’ trolley
Some food and tunes
When: Starting 3 p.m. Saturday
Where: City Park
The FoCo Food Truck Rally will make a special non-Tuesday appearance this Fourth of July weekend, lining its typical stretch of Sheldon Drive on the south edge of City Park from 3 to 10 p.m. Peruse the local eats and enjoy some beats on the grassy knolls of City Park as bands perform on an outdoor stage starting at 3 p.m. The Fort Collins Symphony will perform later in the day, leading up to the start of the city’s fireworks show.
End the day with a bang
When: 9:35 p.m. Saturday
Where: City Park
For the first time since 2019, fireworks will once again shoot out over City Park’s Sheldon Lake this Fourth of July weekend. Head to the park early Saturday — bonus points if you bring a picnic blanket and camp chairs. Fireworks will cap off the day’s festivities around 9:35 p.m.
Fido and fireworks: 4 tips for keeping your dog calm this Fourth of July
Coloradoan Conversations:Are area fireworks restrictions a relief or hinderance to your Fourth of July plans?
Fourth of July in Loveland, Timnath, Windsor, Wellington
A Timnath Fourth of July
When: Starting at 6 p.m. Monday
Where: Timnath Reservoir
Take in all that Timnath has to offer this Fourth of July with live entertainment, family activities and food trucks at the Timnath Reservoir. Festivities kick off 6 p.m. Monday, with a fireworks show starting at 9:30.
Windsor Fourth of July festivities
When: Noon to 9 p.m. Monday
Where: Boardwalk Park, Windsor
Boardwalk Park is the place to be in Windsor this Fourth of July. Festivities will kick off at the town park around noon, and watercraft rentals at Windsor Lake will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Music from the 101st Army Band will start in the park at 5:30 p.m., and Windsor’s fireworks show kicks off at 9:15 p.m.
Wellington Independence Day events
When: Starting at 7 a.m. Monday
Where: Downtown Wellington and Wellington Community Park
Wellington has a packed day of Fourth of July events planned, kicking things off early with a pancake breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. at the Wellington Filling Station church, 3906 Cleveland Ave., a parade down Cleveland Avenue at 10 a.m. and a Fourth of July festival in Wellington Community Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival boasts different vendors and food trucks, music, kids activities and a car show. The day ends with a 9:30 p.m. fireworks show on Sixth Street across from Wellington Middle School.
Fourth of July at North Lake Park
When: Starting at 3 p.m. Monday
Where: North Lake Park, Loveland
Loveland’s Fourth of July festival is officially returning to North Lake Park. Festivities kick off at 3 p.m. Monday with a kids zone play area and a 4 p.m. children’s bike parade around the park. There will also be live music, a cornhole tournament, beer garden and fireworks show, which launches at 9:17 p.m.
Looking for more to do this summer?:Here are 8 things to do this season in Northern Colorado
Erin Udell reports on news, culture, history and more for the Coloradoan. Contact her at ErinUdell@coloradoan.com. The only way she can keep doing what she does is with your support. If you subscribe, thank you. If not, sign up for a digital subscription to the Coloradoan today.
