Fort Collins Fourth of July: 10 things to do this Independence Day
It's a Fort Collins Fourth of July.
After trying out a new date last year — 2022's Fourth of July festivities took place on the Saturday before the holiday — Fort Collins is returning its Fourth of July celebration to, well, the Fourth of July.
The Tuesday will be packed with things to do in and around City Park, from the traditional FireKracker 5K and parade down Mountain Avenue to a trolley ride and Fort Collins Symphony concert.
Here are 10 things to do this Fourth of July in Fort Collins.
Some Fort Collins Fourth of July traditions
Independence Day Parade
Where: Mountain Avenue
When: 10 a.m. July 4
Get ready to line Mountain Avenue for Fort Collins' annual Fourth of July parade. The parade will go westbound down the picturesque Old Town street starting at 10 a.m. and travel between Howes Street and Jackson Avenue, according to the city. The parade's judging station and announcer will be stationed at Mountain Avenue and Sherwood Street.
Free trolley rides
Where: City Park trolley depot
When: Noon to 5 p.m. July 4
Take a free ride back in time by hopping on one of Fort Collins' historic streetcars this Fourth of July. The cars will run from noon to 5 p.m., taking off from the City Park Trolley Depot. The rides will be free thanks to a sponsorship by Elevations Credit Union.
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Live music
Where: City Park
When: 4-9:35 p.m.
Tunes will once again waft over Sheldon Lake this Fourth of July. Live music is planned in City Park leading up to its annual fireworks show. Music starts at 4 p.m., with the Fort Collins Symphony taking the stage at 8:10 p.m. to perform its annual free concert of patriotic and film music favorites ahead of the night's fireworks show, according to the symphony.
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Fireworks
When: 9:35 p.m.
Where: Sheldon Lake at City Park
Fort Collins' traditional Fourth of July fireworks show will set off over Sheldon Lake around 9:35 p.m., depending on wind and weather conditions. Since parking is not permitted in City Park on the Fourth of July — and parking around the park will be sparse — the city encourages attendees to walk, bike or take public transit to the park if they can. The MAX bus will operate 30-minute service from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 10-minute service from 5 p.m. to midnight on the holiday. Shuttle buses will also take people from Colorado State University's Moby Parking Lot and the Downtown Transit Center starting at 5:30 p.m. and will return visitors to their respective lot after the fireworks display. Here's a full list of the city's planned Fourth of July road closures.
Fourth of July things to do for families
Go for a swim
Where: City Park Pool
When: 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. July 4
Take a dip in City Park Pool this Fourth of July as part of the city's special holiday pool hours. The pool will be open from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the holiday, with a daytime drop-in rate of $7 for youth (ages 2-17) and seniors and $8 for adults. If the pool reaches capacity, there will be a wait, according to the city.
A family fun zone in City Park
Where: East of City Park playground
When: Noon to 4:30 p.m. July 4
Bring the little ones out to City Park's family fun zone — complete with games and giveaways — just east of the park's playground.
For the sports fans
The Stars & Stripes Golf Tournament
When: 7:30 a.m. July 4
Where: City Park Nine golf course
Kick off your Independence Day with a round of golf at City Park Nine. To learn more or sign up for the tournament, contact the course's pro shop by calling 970-221-6650.
FireKracker 5K
Where: City Park
When: 7:30 a.m. July 4
🎵 Baby, you're a firewooork ... zooming through Ciiity Paaark 🎵 Lace up your running shoes for the annual FireKracker 5K, which will take off from the intersection of City Park and Sheldon Drive at 7:30 a.m. Adult race fees are $45 until June 30, after which the fee increases to $50. For more information, or to register, visit runsignup.com.
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Baseball at City Park fields
Where: City Park baseball fields
When: 1-7 p.m.
Take yourself out to the ballgame this Fourth of July, with the traditional Old Timers Baseball Game kicking off City Park's baseball offerings at 1 p.m., followed by a matchup between the Boulder Collegians and Fort Collins Force at 4:30 p.m.
For the Fourth of July foodies
A Fourth of July food truck rally
Where: Sheldon Drive in City Park
When: 1-9:30 p.m. July 4
Area food trucks are working the holiday shift in City Park this Fourth of July as the FoCo Food Truck Rally — a Tuesday evening summer staple in the park — ready to feed the masses starting at 1 p.m.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly listed the start time of the Fort Collins Symphony's Fourth of July concert. It will begin at 8:10 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Fort Collins Fourth of July: 10 things to do this Independence Day
