Nothing compares to a High Country summer.
Fourth of July is the true start to summer in Summit County. Even Mother Nature is kicking back this holiday. After a few days of cool rain, forecast today through the holiday weekend is Tom Fricke’s favorite: sunny days and starry nights.
Recent rainfall is good news for revelers. There are no fire restrictions or campfire bans in Summit County and the surrounding forests. All you need to do is build your fire in an established fire ring and make sure the embers are cold to the touch before you leave. That includes bedtime and even short jaunts to the grocery store.
Wondering where to find fireworks? We’ve got you covered.
Here’s your Krystal 93 itinerary for Independence Day fun under the mountain sun.
Snow tubing @ Keystone
Up high at Keystone Resort is the nation’s ONLY summer snow tubing hill on natural snow. Snowcats have been “farming” snow from the mountaintop snow fort and nearby slopes to build two lanes at the top of River Run Gondola.
Snow tubing is open until 2 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays, July 4 through August – or even later if the snow survives.
Independence Day Parade and Firecracker 50 @ Breckenridge
Main Street Breckenridge is the place to be early on July Fourth for the annual Independence Day Parade. It’s the only parade in the U.S. where hundreds of mountain bikers lead the floats, classic cars and marching band. The Firecracker 50 mountain bike race starts at 9:30 a.m. followed by the parade at 10 a.m. Then head to Carter Park to cheer competitors across the finish line.
Fabulous Fourth of July @ Frisco
Wanna see two parades in one day? After the Breck parade boogie up the road to Frisco for a second round of floats! The Frisco Main Street parade starts at 1 p.m. Before that is the annul kids’ fishing derby and pancake breakfast to benefit Team Summit. Starting at 4:30 p.m. is a free concert on Main with North Mississippi All-Stars.
Red, White, Brews and Tunes @ Copper
Coming to Copper Mountain for three days is Red, White, Brews and Tunes. Headliner Donovan Frankenreiter plays a free concert on Thursday in Center Village. The festival continues Friday with a summer rail jam at the Woodward hike-to terrain park. On Saturday Grace Potter takes the stage for a second free concert.
NRO @ Silverthorne
Keep the music coming on Thursday morning with the National Repertory Orchestra playing a free patriotic concert at Rainbow Park in Silverthorne. Bring the kids and lawn chairs. There will also be face painting, inflatable activities and the “instrument petting zoo” with NRO members. You’ve got to try it.
U.S. Air Force Academy Band @ Dillon Amp
Playing a free concert Thursday night is the 50-member U.S. Air Force Academy Band at Dillon Amphitheater. For over 60 years, the Academy Band has used the power of music to honor our nation’s heroes, and inspire Air Force personnel, and the nation they serve, produce innovative musical programs and products, and communicate Air Force excellence to millions around the world.
Hazel Miller @ Arapahoe Basin
Fan favorite Hazel Miller is playing a free set in the A-Basin village on Friday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. There’s also a jambalaya cookout, brats, beers and free disc golf on one of the toughest courses in Summit.