Vail America Days = Family Fun

Vail’s event-filled Fourth of July celebration, Vail America Days, continues to be a top destination for those looking to celebrate the summer holiday in a fun and safe mountain environment.

The day kicks off with the traditional Fourth of July parade, beloved by locals and guests alike. This year’s theme is “Cowboy Style” and will set the tone for the rest of the day’s celebrations featuring street entertainment, a patriotic concert and a fireworks display (weather permitting). Upon conclusion of the fireworks, a Town of Vail public safety campaign will be enacted that enlists parental supervision of younger family members.

A full week of activities leads up to the July Fourth celebration. Activities include the 37th annual Vail Lacrosse Shootout, Friday Afternoon Club activities, the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, gondola rides and live street entertainment.

The Fourth of July morning commences with the Town of Vail Public Library Bake and Book Sale which begins at 8 and 9 a.m., respectively on West Meadow Drive, followed by the Vail America Days Parade, which begins at 10 a.m. The parade kicks off at Golden Peak and then continues west to Hanson Ranch Road, north on Bridge Street, west on Gore Creek Drive, north across the International Bridge, west along Meadow Drive and finally weaves through the LionsHead Mall to the finish.

Fourth of July celebrations continue with free street entertainment in LionsHead and Vail Village from noon to 3 p.m. At 2 p.m., the annual patriotic concert performed by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and presented Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival and the Vail Valley Foundation will take place at the Ford Amphitheater. The concert is dedicated to the memory of Jack Kemp where 100 percent of the ticket sales will be donated to the Vail Veterans Program in Jack Kemp’s honor. Lawn seats are free on a first-come, first-served basis and pavilion seating is $15. Tickets will be available to walk-up customers only at the Ford Amphitheater box office beginning at 11 a.m. on July 1. A fireworks display is planned for 9:45 p.m. at Golden Peak, conditions permitting.

Later in the evening, the Vail Police Department will implement Vail’s public safety campaign. The program calls for parental supervision of underage family members between the hours of 10:30 p.m. on July 4 to 5 a.m. July 5. The safety measures were introduced during the 2001 Fourth of July celebration by the Vail Town Council to create a safe and festive atmosphere during the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve holidays.

“We feel it’s important to offer a safe environment for residents and guests who choose to celebrate the Fourth of July with us in our beautiful destination,” said Vail Mayor Dick Cleveland. “It enhances the experience for everyone and holds true to Vail’s promise of creating great memories for those who visit and live here.”

The town’s public safety measures include a town-wide curfew for unsupervised juveniles 17 and under and a special event district covering a four-block area in Vail Village. The district prohibits access to persons 21 and under unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

In addition, residents with curbside trash service are reminded to check with their trash removal company to determine if collection schedules will be affected by the Fourth of July holiday. Vail wildlife protection regulations prohibit placing trash outside for pick up other than from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the scheduled trash collection day.

The town will be distributing information pamphlets prior to the holiday weekend which will detail the event schedule and public safety campaign. To request copies of the pamphlet, contact the town’s Community Information Office at 479-2115.

Fourth of July Weekend Activities/Events
Thurs., July 2
Vail Lacrosse Shootout, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Eagle Bahn Gondola, LionsHead, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (free after 4)
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Tour, 10:30 a.m.
Alpine Wind Ensemble, Gore Creek Promenade, 5 to 7 p.m.

Fri., July 3
Vail Lacrosse Shootout, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Eagle Bahn Gondola, LionsHead, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., (free after 4)
Street Entertainment, Vail Village Slifer Square, 3 to 7 p.m.
Public Art Sculpture Dedication, East Meadow Drive Entry, 3 p.m.
Friday Afternoon Club, Eagle’s Nest, 4 p.m.
Inner City Educational Foundation & Washington Prep Jazz &
Marching Band, Mountain Plaza, 4:30 p.m.
Family Friday Afternoon Club, LionsHead, 5 to 8 p.m.
Bravo! Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Ford Amphitheater, 6 p.m.

Sat., July 4
Vail Public Library Bake Sale, West Meadow Dr., 8 a.m. to Noon
Vail Public Library Book Sale, West Meadow Dr., 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Vail Lacrosse Shootout, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Eagle Bahn Gondola, LionsHead, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (free after 4)
Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Tour, Ford Park, 10:30 a.m.

   Vail America Days
   --Parade, 10 a.m., Golden Peak to LionsHead
   --Street Entertainment, LionsHead/Vail Village/Mtn. Plaza, 1 to 5 p.m.
   --Inner City Educational Foundation & Wash. Prep Jazz & Marching
   Band, LionsHead, 1 p.m.
   --Patriotic Concert, 2 p.m., Ford Amphitheater, call 476-5612 for
      ticket info
   --Fireworks at Golden Peak in Vail, 9:45 p.m., conditions permitting

Sun., July 5
La Sportiva Vail HillClimb, Vail Village, 8 a.m.
Vail Lacrosse Shootout, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Eagle Bahn Gondola, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Vail Farmers’ Market, East Meadow Drive, Vail Village, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Vail Public Library Book Sale, West Meadow Dr., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Street Entertainment, LionsHead/Vail Village/Mtn. Plaza, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Jazz at the Market, Tony Gulizia Trio, East Meadow Drive, Noon to 3 p.m.
Love, American Style: Skating Show, Dobson Arena, 2 p.m.
Bravo! Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Ford Amphitheater, 6 p.m.

Events are subject to change. For more information, call the Vail Visitor Center at 476-4790 or visit www.vail.com. Vail America Days is sponsored by the Town of Vail, Gallegos Corporation, FirstBank of Vail, Vail Daily, KZYR and JackFM.