No fireworks won’t mean no fun
Vail, Eagle and Gypsum have canceled their traditional fireworks displays because of extreme fire danger. Minturn and Avon are holding off on a final decision until the week before Fourth of July. But four of the five valley municipalities will have non-flammable entertainment that promise to spark plenty fun.
“Even if we don’t have the fireworks, we are still going to have a party. Things are still going to be fun,” said Avon’s director of public communications, Jacquie Halburnt.
Avon, which is hedging its bets and holding off on a final no-go order on its famous fireworks display above Nottingham Lake in hopes of rain, will provide free musical entertainment in Nottingham Park starting at 5 p.m. July 4.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to pack a picnic and come celebrate at the lake, Halburnt said. Dogs and alcohol are prohibited.
Little Blue will open for Hazel Miller, a locally popular jazz singer. In addition, about 20 vendors will offer food, beverages and various wares for sale.
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If the fireworks display is a go, it’ll start around 9:45 p.m., according to Halburnt. The town is scheduled to make its decision by July 27 at the latest.
Vail’s fireworks are definitely a no-show, after the town decided Tuesday to cancel its display at Golden Peak, in light of the extreme fire danger.
Nevertheless, the town is offering a everything from lacrosse games to its famous parade to dance performances from July 3 to 6.
“Even without fireworks, Fourth of July in Vail will be spectacular,” said Vail Town Manager Bob McLaurin.
Vail’s Independence Day celebration, known as “America Days,” will take off July 3 with a performance by the Washington Prep Bank at 5 p.m. in Vail Village.
On July 4, the Fourth of July Parade will travel from Golden Peak to Lionshead from 10 a.m. to noon.
The afternoon will bring musical entertainment in the village and Lionshead by various bands, as well as a dance performance by the Dance Movement Company, topped by a patriotic concert at Ford Park, starting at 3 p.m.
July 5 and 6 will bring more music in the village and Lionshead, along with the Vail Lacrosse Shootout competition at Ford park.
In Minturn, old-fashioned fun is the theme of the town’s Independence Day celebration at the Minturn Town Park July 5. Like Avon, Minturn will decide by July 27 whether call off its fireworks display. If it’s a go, it will start around 9:30 p.m.
The picnic, underwritten by the Gallegos family, will include fire engine rides, horseshoe competitions, face painting, a beer tent and a baked goods contest, starting at 5:30 p.m. In addition, Fourth of July revelers in Minturn will have the chance to take part in a cake walk at 7 p.m., take part in a watermelon seed-spitting contest at 7:30 p.m., and attempt to out-eat everyone in an ice cream-eating contest at 8 p.m.
Gypsum and Eagle, which Wednesday canceled plans for a joint fireworks display at the Eagle County Fairgrounds, are inviting residents and guests to pack a picnic and take in a free concert at the Eagle Town Park, starting at 4 p.m.
Geraldine Haldner can be reached at 949-0555, ext. 602, or ghaldner@vaildaily.com
