Fireworks, DJs, a parade and more this MLK weekend in the Vail Valley
Enjoy the activities and events on and off the slopes this holiday weekend
Fireworks in Avon
Head to Avon for fireworks over Harry A. Nottingham Park on Saturday this holiday weekend. In addition to the large fireworks display done every year during the Salute to the USA event on July 3, Avon presents this mid-winter fireworks display over Nottingham Lake during the winter.
Come early and enjoy free chocolate chip cookies from Beaver Creek Resort Company and the town of Avon will be giving out free hot chocolate and peppermint schnapps for those 21 years of age and older while supplies last. The gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the fireworks will go off at 6 p.m. The show will be about 10 minutes in length, so you won’t have to be outside too long, but bundle up and wear proper footwear for winter conditions. Come early for the goodies and listen to the Battle Mountain High School drum line as they get the celebration started with heart-pounding beats.
Public bus transportation is being encouraged as the best way to get into and out of Avon to see this show. The parking in Avon has changed quite a bit, so familiarize yourself with the options by going to Avon.org/Events and learn where you can park.
Vail 10th Mountain Legacy Parade

On select dates throughout the winter, the Town of Vail, Vail Mountain and the Colorado Snowsports Museum come together to create a special evening that pays homage to the 10th Mountain Division and Vail’s history. The 10th Mountain Division is the U.S. Army’s winter warfare unit that trained at Camp Hale south of Vail for battles fought during World War II, and 10th Mountain Division veteran, Pete Seibert, was one of the founders of Vail.
The evening kicks off at 6 p.m. at the base of Gondola One (No. 1) with a short film about Vail’s link to the 10th Mountain Division followed by a torchlight ski down with skiers dressed in ski trooper uniforms, and then the parade heads down Bridge Street to the 10th Mountain Division statue near the Covered Bridge. The Colorado Snowsports Museum stays open a bit later on parade nights, so you can visit its extensive exhibit that tells the story of the brave men who fought in these battles.

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Look for a new pin that will be handed out this year commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Riva Ridge, which happened on the night of Feb. 18-19, 1945. On that night, the 86th Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division conducted a surprise attack on the Germans and were able to break through the Nazi Gothic Line. In February, there will be a larger celebration of the 80th anniversary of the attack and there will be another parade on Feb. 22. Go to DiscoverVail.com for more information.
Comedy and Concerts
Vail Comedy Show in Eagle

The Vail Comedy Show has had a busy schedule this week with stand up acts in Avon on Wednesday, Vail on Thursday and Eagle on Friday with New York City-based comedian Pat Burtscher. On Friday, the comedy moves to Capitol Public House in Eagle Ranch. Special guest Joe Stapleton, best known as a TV poker commentator, will fly in from Los Angeles for the Friday show.
Burtscher is a regular at The Comedy Cellar and has toured with Burt Kreischer. Burtscher was born in Austria, raised in Canada and is currently based in New York City. He’s traveled the globe to do comedy at places like Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Adelaide Fringe Festival and the Singapore Comedy Fringe. For tickets and more information, go to VailComedyShow.com.
Vilar Performing Arts Center

If you like folk music, and especially if you like James Taylor and Joni Mitchell, you are going to love Saturday’s performance at the Vilar Performing Arts Center at Beaver Creek as Live from Laurel Canyon presents “James & Joni: Their Stories, Their Songs.”
The Live from Laurel Canyon performances celebrate the neighborhood of famous singers and songwriters who resided in this beautiful canyon in the hills of California outside of Los Angeles from 1965 to 1976. From The Byrds and Buffalo Springfield to Carole King, Linda Ronstadt and the Eagles, these talented neighbors shaped the sounds of American folk music and the spirit of that will be felt on Saturday night.
The Live from Laurel Canyon shows use narration, songs and multimedia to give you more insight into what it was like to live in that place at that time, along with personal stories and the hit songs and deep cuts on various albums played by a full band and artists who sound remarkably like James Taylor and Joni Mitchell.
Tickets are still available for this show that starts at 7 p.m. Go to VilarPAC.org to get tickets or call the box office at 970-845-TIXS (8497).
Please note that Beaver Creek changed its parking policy and although parking is free at the parking garages in Beaver Creek Village for four hours after 4 p.m., once you go over the four-hour time limit, the price jumps to $50, so keep an eye on the time if you are going in early or staying late for dinner and drinks.
DJs at Vail Mountain

Get ready to get your groove on because Vail Mountain is hosting another Après All Day event. Throughout the season different DJs will be spinning tunes on select dates at the Express Lift Café from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the base of Vail Mountain. This Saturday, check out Summit County-based Littlefoot. On Sunday, it’s time for Sunny Side Up. Both DJs have performed at previous Après All Day events earlier this winter. Brought to you by Pepsi and Kona Big Wave Beer, grab some refreshments when you’re done with your ski day. You’ll hear the music before you even reach Mountain Plaza. Vail Mountain has more DJs on the schedule for the rest of the season. Check out the full list at Vail.com.