Eagle County’s fireworks displays are a go for now, despite dry conditions
Only Beaver Creek officials remain uncertain about their July 4 show
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The Vail Valley remains very dry and is under Stage 1 fire restrictions. But as of Monday, fireworks displays were mostly a go for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
The valley’s biggest display is Avon’s Salute to the USA celebration, set for Thursday, July 3, at Nottingham Park.
According to an email from Avon Town Manager Eric Heil, the town and its fireworks contractor reduced the size of the show’s biggest fireworks shells from 5 to 4 inches several years ago to keep the display fallout contained in the town’s “urban zone.”
In addition, “Avon staff is mowing everything in the fallout zone, including the railroad right of way and Avon is retaining a water truck to water down all grass areas on the day before and day of the show.”
The celebration, which runs from 5 to 10:30 p.m., includes live music, food vendors and more at the park.
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The other big July 3 celebration is in Gypsum.
A Monday email from Briar Schreiber, the town’s events manager, noted that the fireworks show there, set for the town’s sports complex, is still on “as of now.”
Schreiber noted the fireworks will be set off from a paved lot surrounded by artificial turf sports fields. “We douse the surrounding area just before the show with help from our Public Works Department,” she wrote in an email.
That display will cap a celebration centered around the town’s Lundgren Amphitheater with music, as well as free hot dogs and popsicles, while supplies last. You’re welcome to bring beer, wine, refillable water bottles, blankets and lawn chairs, but leave your pets at home.
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For now, Vail’s fireworks display is set for the Fourth of July, as Thomas Jefferson intended. It’s a big part of the annual Vail America Days celebrations. As of Monday, the show will go on.
Beaver Creek’s Independence Day celebration is also set for Friday, although resort officials hadn’t yet decided whether or not to include fireworks along with live music, food vendors and more.
And, after a dry, dry June, the weather may finally provide a bit of relief.
This week’s weather forecast provides a slight chance of precipitation through much of the week, with a 50% chance of thunderstorms on Thursday.
But the valley remains very dry, which is why you should leave the fireworks displays to the professionals.
