Carnival attractions sit empty at Rio Grande Park in Aspen on Thursday, awaiting the Fourth of July weekend festivities.
Aspen’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July returns this weekend, including community concerts, a parade, a carnival and a drone show.
The celebration starts today and continues through Saturday. Stage 2 fire restrictions are in place, which include a ban on the use of all fireworks.
Here’s what’s happening:
Aspen-Snowmass on Friday
● The Aspen Market in the downtown core is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., a departure from its usual Saturday slot.
● Rio Grande Park will be the location of a carnival from noon to 8 p.m. that features free rides, including a 65-foot ferris wheel, a merry-go-round carousel, a 100-foot slide and a Dizzy Dragon ride.
● A roots-rock band, The Record Company, will hit the stage at Wagner Park in Aspen at 7 p.m.
● In Snowmass from 7-8:30 p.m., a free concert will be held at the rock garden next to Fanny Hill. Wild Flight, a Colorado-based folk and country outfit, will take the stage.
Aspen on Saturday
● Boogie’s Buddy Race starts at 8 a.m. in Rio Grande Park. Join hundreds of runners, families and furry friends for one of Aspen’s holiday traditions. Participate in the 5K or 5-mile runs, or stroll along with the 1-mile family/canine fun run/walk.
● At 10 a.m. in Paepcke Park, kids will decorate their bikes to participate for free in Aspen’s Fourth of July Parade, which starts at 11 a.m. on Main Street. Only regular bikes are allowed (no e-bikes) and helmets are mandatory. No pets will be permitted and parents are required to walk if they want to accompany their children.
● Aspen’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July Parade starts at 11 a.m. on Main Street near Paepcke Park. Participants are encouraged to embrace their red, white, and blue and express their stars and stripes for America’s 250th anniversary. The route runs east down Main Street and turns south onto Hunter Street, then west onto Cooper Avenue to Galena Street. At Galena, it heads north for two blocks, turns west onto Hopkins Avenue and then continues south on Mill Street before turning west on Hyman Avenue. This year’s grand marshal is Alex Ferreira, who won a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
● The Hotel Jerome, 330 E. Main St., will host its annual Great American Festival from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s described as a “fun-filled day of festivities for all ages” and includes a performance from violinist Bobby Yang. Hotel Jerome silver tokens can be purchased to redeem for food and drink items. The hotel is located near the start of the Fourth of July Parade route.
● The Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club will hold a picnic at noon in Koch Lumber Park. The event includes games, activities, bouncy castles, dunk tanks, live music and spirits. The Viceroy will provide Wagyu burgers and additional veggie options. All proceeds benefit AVSC athletes. The event is sold out; limited tickets may be available at Koch Park.
● Vertical dance company Bandaloop will perform at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m on the walls and off the balcony of the Wheeler Opera House. The event is free; no reservations are required.
● Rio Grande Park will be the location of a carnival from noon to 8 p.m. that features free rides, including a 65-foot Ferris wheel, a merry-go-round carousel, a 100-foot slide and a Dizzy Dragon ride.
● Aspen Music Festival and School will hold a free concert with patriotic repertoire starting at 4 p.m. at the Klein Music Tent. Lawrence Isaacson will conduct.
● A drone show is set for 9:30 p.m. against the backdrop of Aspen Mountain. Viewers will experience a display of 800 synchronized drones above downtown Aspen. Wagner Park is considered the best viewing area. There will be no fireworks this year due to stage 2 fire restrictions.
The Stratos Residential Collection float meanders through Aspen in last year’s Fourth of July parade. This year’s parade starts on Main Street at 11 a.m and rolls through the downtown core as Aspen celebrates America’s 250th anniversary.
Snowmass on Saturday
● At 9 a.m. at the rink near the Snowmass Collective, free yoga, bootcamp, pilates, kickboxing, barre and more will be offered by TAC Fitness. Participants should bring a mat, water and sunscreen. All levels and ages are welcome.
● From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the top end of the Elk Camp Gondola, there will be a carnival for kids with face paint, balloons, lawn games and live music. Food and drink for all ages will be available for purchase. Gondola tickets are required.
● At 6 p.m. at Fanny Hill near the Snowmass Mall, 1980s tribute band The Spazmatics will play a free concert. Access to the concert area will be available at 5:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear 1980s-style patriotic attire.
George Newell mans the grill on Independence Day 2024. The Aspen Fire Department will provide hot dogs and hamburgers and dole out ice cream to hungry parade-goers on Saturday as part of Aspen’s Fourth of July celebration.
Carbondale on Saturday
● Carbondale’s Old-Fashioned Family Parade starts at 10:30 a.m. in the downtown area. Staging will start at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Second and Main streets. Children of all ages are invited to decorate their bikes, scooters, wagons, skateboards or strollers. Dress in costume, play an instrument or simply march along. The parade travels west on Main Street, turns left onto Seventh Street and finishes in Sopris Park, where participants can enjoy free popsicles and watermelon, courtesy of the town of Carbondale.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.aspendailynews.com ’
