Your guide to local Fourth of July celebrations

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Still undecided about what you’re doing for the Fourth of July? Narrow down your options by checking out our list below for information on community celebrations and fireworks shows in Arvada, Black Hawk, Boulder, Golden, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, Nederland, Niwot and Westminster.

Arvada:
Fourth of July Festival
Stenger/Lutz Complex, West 58th Avenue and Oak Street
3 p.m. to after the fireworks show
Food:  Food and drinks will be available at concession stands and carts.
Activities for kids: Obstacle course, bungee run, temporary face tattoos, face painting, big slide, balloon sculpture and more will be available in the Kids’ Park. The Arvada Fire Protection District and Pridemark will also have fire trucks and emergency vehicles on display.
Other activities: A dunk bus, military display, KOOL105’s Classic Car Show, and a midway with community booths and patriotic items for sale.
Entertainment: Bands and KOOL105 DJs will be at the festival playing everything from rock to your favorite ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s hits. A fireworks show set to pre-programmed oldies and patriotic music from KOOL105 will take place around 9 p.m.
For more information, visit http://arvada.org/about-arvada/fourth-of-july/.

Black Hawk:
Black Hawk 4th of July Celebration
City of Black Hawk, west of Denver via I-70 or U.S. Highway 6
Entertainment: Boom Town Band will perform from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the gazebo at Stroehle Square on the corner of Black Hawk Street and Main Street. The fireworks show will begin at dusk, and is visible from most locations in Black Hawk.
For a map of fireworks show viewing locations or more information, visit http://www.cityofblackhawk.org/.

Boulder:
4th of July Bike Parade for Kids
Municipal Building Lawn, between Canyon Boulevard and Boulder Creek, west of Broadway
Pre-parade: From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., children will have the opportunity to decorate bicycles, tricycles, wagons and strollers, as well as get a bike safety check at bicycle safety station.
Parade: The parade will begin at 11 a.m.
Post-parade: At 11:30 a.m., Sue Schnitzer will start performing, and snacks and prizes will be available, followed by Pinwheels for Prevention at noon.
CU mascot Chip will be at the celebration from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. signing autographs and leading the parade.
For more information, call 303-449-0177.

Ralphie’s Independence Day Blast
Folsom Stadium on CU-Boulder’s campus
Folsom Stadium gates will open at 8 p.m.
Entertainment: There will be community performances, a traditional sing-a-long, a Ralphie Run, a performance by the Color Guard from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. A fireworks show will begin at 9:30 p.m.
For more information, visit http://boulder4thofjuly.com.

Golden:
Fourth of July Celebration
Lions Park, 10th Street and Maple Street
Noon until after the fireworks show
The Golden Lions Club will be selling raffle tickets at local supermarkets, stores and the Farmer’s Market. Each raffle ticket costs $1, or six for $5. Raffle ticket proceeds help fund the celebration, and any excess money is contributed to projects that help better the Lions community. Over 200 prizes ranging from a grand prize of $1,000 donated by the Lions Club to overnight stays at mountain casinos will be raffled off. Winners will be announced throughout the celebration, and the grand-prize winner will be declared before the fireworks show. Winners do not have to be present to win.
Food: Food will be available for purchase.
Activities for kids: Free face painting and rides.
Entertainment: Music. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m.
For more information, visit www.goldenlionsclub.org

Lafayette:
Celebrate 4th of July
Waneka Lake, 1600 Caria Dr., Lafayette
Transportation:
Two free Special Transit shuttle buses will run from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. between the celebration and Flatirons Church, 355 West South Boulder Rd., or Centaurus High School, 10300 South Boulder Rd. Limited parking will be available at the east entrance of Waneka Lake, but the west entrance will be closed. Parking will also be permitted on Emma Street.
4 p.m. to 8 p.m.:
Food: Hot dogs, watermelon, ice cream and more will be sold from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Beer and wine will also be available for purchase in the beer garden with proof of ID.
Activities for kids: Free face painting, lawn games, balloon sculpting and coloring books, while supplies last. Other activities will be available for additional fees, including a bounce house, pony rides and more.
5 p.m. to 9 p.m.:
Entertainment: Free concert — dance to the Modniks’ ’50s and ’60s music. A pie-eating contest will be held at 6:30 p.m. for those who pre-registered. For the entry form, visit http://bit.ly/Lafayette4th. A fireworks show will take place over Waneka Lake. If fireworks are canceled due to weather conditions, an announcement will be made in the concert area about when the show will take place on July 5.
For more information, visit www.lafayettecolorado.com/july4thcelebration/celebrate4thofjuly2011.html.

Longmont:
Longmont 4th of July Fireworks Display
Boulder County Fairgrounds, Hover Road and Boston Avenue
Transportation: No parking will be available on the fairgrounds, with the exception of handicapped accessible parking, which will be available at the fairground’s Nelson Road (south) entrance with handicapped parking permits. To see the show, park at a nearby shopping center and watch them from the fenced area in front of the Jack Murphy arena, or watch the fireworks anywhere within one mile of the fairgrounds.
Entertainment: The fireworks show will begin at 9:30 p.m.
For more information, call 303-651-8437.

Louisville:
July 4th Fireworks
Coal Creek Golf Course, 585 West Dillon Rd.
6 to 10 p.m.
Transportation: A free shuttle bus will run from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. between the celebration, Louisville Recreation Center and Home Depot parking lots. There will be no parking available at the golf course.
Food: Food concessions.
Activities for kids: Free face painting and henna, balloon animals, bounce castles and games.
Entertainment: The Boulder Concert Band will be performing at the celebration. Pack up your picnic basket, grab your family, and find a spot on the golf course before the fireworks show begins.
For more information, call 303-651-8437.

Nederland:
Nederland Fireworks and Parade
Parade: The parade starts at noon and will start on 1st Street, travel north up Bridge Street, down 2nd Street, and end on East Street.
Food, shopping and entertainment will be available throughout the day at Nederland area shops and restaurants. For more information, go to the Visitor Center, 2 West 1st St.
Fireworks will begin at dusk.
For more information, visit www.nederlandchamber.org/events_fireworks.html#parade.

Niwot:
July 4th Celebration
Food: A pancake breakfast will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Niwot Market. Pancakes, sausages, eggs, green chiles, orange juice and coffee will be available for the cost of $5 for adults and $3 for kids.
Pre-parade: The Niwot Semi-Marching Free Grange Band will be performing from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., and bicycle decorating will begin at 10 a.m.
Parade: The parade begins at 11 a.m. Fire trucks, horse-riding lawmen, vintage cars, Boy and Girl Scouts, 4 H’ers, honorees, pets and citizens young and old will participate in the parade.
For more information, visit www.niwot.com/events/4th_of_july.

Westminster:
4th of July Celebration
City Park, 10455 Sheridan Blvd.
Transportation: Parking is very limited. Free shuttles will run every 15 to 20 minutes from various locations in the Westminster and Highland Hills area. For the shuttle schedule and a list of locations, visit www.ci.westminster.co.us/files/4th_Shuttle_schedule.pdf.
Food: Food will be available for purchase from vendors starting at 6 p.m.
Entertainment: A free concert featuring Boogielicious will start at 7 p.m., and the fireworks show will begin around 9:15 p.m.
For more information, visit www.ci.westminster.co.us/256.htm.