Fun for the 4th

Fun for the 4th

By Amy Cramer Phillips

This weekend is my most anticipated of the summer.

For more than 20 years I have looked forward to the 4th of July “weekend” no matter when the actual date fell. This year the schedule should be fabulous. Many friends are coming up from Denver and the festivities should fantastic.

I am getting ready for the weekend as I type, it is Wednesday, but my fun will begin tonight. My friends John & Donna arrived yesterday and tonight we are planning to get together for dinner. There are several restaurants that have early season specials. Last night we had a fantastic dinner at Montauk. Tonight I think we may enjoy the special prices at Avondale or Atwater as a kick-off to the Westin Resort Vail Employee Reunion that I have been helping to organize.

Tomorrow I may check out the Beaver Creek Rodeo, which kicks it up at 5 at the Rodeo grounds in east Avon, conveniently located out my back door. Lets all hope it doesn’t start raining as it has the first 2 weeks. I admit it, after 6 years I have become a fair weather Rodeo fan. You really can’t beat the Rodeo for family fun. Tickets can be bought at the gate Adults are just $ 15, Youth are $ 7, seniors $ 10 and kids under 12 are free. There are plenty of food options and great Margarita’s for the adults. The show is fun and the venue is what you would expect from “Beaver Creek”. We affectionately call it the “Cappuccino Rodeo”.

On Friday I am putting the final touches on my old photo slide show for the Westin Resort Vail Employee Reunion. If you worked at the Westin in Vail, when it was a Westin (1983-1994) we would love to see you on Saturday afternoon at ZaccaZa. If you have photos to contribute give me a call (970) 331-1645.

Friday afternoon begins the real fun. I plan to stop by the new Friday Market at Avondale in the Westin Riverfront in Avon before heading to a friends annual backyard 3rd of July party in Lift View around 5:00pm. I am looking forward to meeting some of my old Westin Vail friends back at Avondale at about 7:00pm with a quick stop at the East West party at the Westin before heading to Harry A. Nottingham Park for the Foghat concert at 8:00 followed by Fireworks at 9:45. I love the fireworks, especially watching them from the Boat Dock, one of my favorite Town Councilor perks. Almost makes up for the 10-hour meetings.

Saturday the 4th of July will start with the parade in Vail. This will be the first time in several years that Bill and Izaac are not leading the parade with the other Harley riders. We will watch from our reserve seats in Lionshead and I am sure I will join the Harley riders for a beer or 2 at Bart and Yeti’s before heading to ZaccaZa in Avon for the Westin Vail Employee Reunion that starts at 2:00pm. You can check out details if you’re interested on facebook. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1456473169#/group.php?gid=46299509870

Saturday has 2 good options for concerts and more fireworks in Vail and Beaver Creek. I like the sound of the Neville Brothers concert in Beaver Creek, mostly because I can get there on my scooter and not deal with parking and traffic. Vail has a full day of “Vail America Days” events the details are on the blog bellow this one.

Sunday may have to be a day of rest, but I suspect that with so many old Westin Vail friends in town it will involve Bloody Mary’s somewhere, perhaps my own back yard.

No mater what your plans are, I wish good food, fabulous fun and great wine for all.