Schedule:

July 3 ,2024

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Ice Cream Social - VFW Hall
Stroll down the Animas River Trail and stop at Rotary Park for an evening dinner and concert. The VFH Hall is hosting an Ice Cream social in conjunction with the Southwest Civic Winds Jazz Concert. Prices: $3 Hot dog, $1 Chips, $1 Soda, and $2 Ice cream.

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm: Southwest Civic Winds Jazz Concert - Rotary Park
Wear your dancing shoes. Buy your dinner and dessert at the VFW Hall and walk across the lane to Rotary Park to dance to the Southwest Civic Winds Jazz band, featuring Swing and Sala music. Bring a chair or a blanket for the grass and enjoy an evening concert by the river. This event is free.

6:30pm-11:00pm: True Western Roundup - La Plata County Fairgrounds
Enjoy a night celebrating the working ranch activities of the American Cowboy and Cowgirl. True Wester Roundup is proud to promote and preserve our Western heritage in a positive family atmosphere. True Western Roundup is brought to you by the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, TBK Bank and many other impressive businesses.   Ticket price: $18 - $20. Doors open at 5:00 pm, Rodeo starts at 6:30 pm.

July 4 ,2024

7:30-10:30am: Rotary Club Gourmet Breakfast- At Rotary Park
Brought to you by the Rotary Club of Durango and the Daybreak Rotary Club. Scrambled eggs, green chili eggs, sausage, pancakes, fruit topping, biscuits and gravy will be served. Tickets may be purchased online or by using the QR code on posters around town, or from a local Rotary Member. Adult ticket price is $15 presale or $20 after July 1. Children 6-12 $8 presale or $10 after July 1. First Responders are $10. Children under 6 are free.

9:00am-11:00pm: Freedom 5K Run -At Rotary Park
Join the City of Durango’s Parks and Recreation Department and start your 4th of July festivities on the right foot. Bring your whole family and all your friends to participate, and dress to celebrate Independence Day. All ages are welcome to run, walk, stroll or stride this festive 5K along the scenic Animas River Trail. The race begins at 9:00 am at Rotary Park. Participants are encouraged to dress in creative and patriotic attire. Prizes will be distributed for first place in 3 categories: 12 & under, 13-18, and over 18 years of age. Participants must check in at the Freedom 5K race tent between 8:15 am and 8:45 am. This event is free.

9:15-10:45am: Southwest Civic Winds Patriotic Concert-At Rotary Park
Bring a lawn chair or blanket to Rotary Park to listen to the Southwest Civic Winds Concert. This full concert band plays toe-tapping patriotic music with some great surprise arrangements. You will feel like you are in the right place to enjoy and celebrate Independence Day. This event is free.

12:00-4:30pm: Building Homes for Heroes BBQ and Bands Picnic-At Buckley Park
Presented by FastSigns Durango and Local News Network and benefiting Building Homes for Heroes. Bring a blanket or chair to Buckley Park for a mid-day picnic and great music. Burgers, hot dogs, and soft drinks are on the menu.  A beer garden featuring Ska Brewing and Steamworks is available. Vinyl Lust will play at 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, followed by the James Kirk Band from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Activities for all ages include face painting, henna tattoos, Ruby Balloon, and a great cornhole tournament. This event is free.  Participants must purchase their food and drink.

12:00pm: Live Music- Vinyl Lust 2:30 pm Kirk James Band-At Buckley Park

5:00pm: 4th of July Parade-"Play It Like a Local."-On Main Avenue
Line up early on Main Avenue for the annual 4th of July Parade. The theme this year is Play It Like A Local.  Summer in Durango is all about us locals doing what we love: hiking, biking, rafting, concerts, festivals, campouts, and more.  Expect some imaginative floats as well as bands, singers, cyclists, horses, fire engines and more. The Parade starts at College (6th Street) and Main Avenue at 5:00 pm and ends at 12th Street and Buckley Park. Bring a small American flag to waive and stand at attention when the VFW Color Guard passes by. Judges and announcers will be on the 800 block of Main by the Main Mall. This event is free to spectate. $5 entry fee for parade floats. Click here for information on entering the parade and inspiration for your floats.

6:00-9:30pm: Street Dance featuring The Motet and Desert Child -Transit Center
After the parade, head straight for the Transit Center to celebrate into the night. The City of Durango and KSUT Presents bring you food, beer, dancing and two awesome bands. At 6:00 pm, Desert Child returns to start the party and get you on your feet and dancing. At 7:30 pm The Motet will take the stage to rev up the night. Arrive to eat and dance, stay for the fireworks.  This event is free. Participants may buy their dinner and drinks from one of the many great vendors. The food court includes Ska Brewing, Crazy Coop Chicken, Elevated Eats, Tacos Carranzo, and the Ice Cream Lady. The activities area features corn hole, face painting, henna tattoos, and Ruby Balloon.

9:15pm: 4th of July Fireworks-Transit Center
Weather permitting, Zambelli Fireworks will light up the sky with a big-boom fireworks show starting at 9:15 pm.  The launch zone is the Durango Dog Park.  Fireworks will be visible from most of downtown Durango, and along Rim Drive, with the Transit Center as the best view area.  

July 5,2024

1:30pm: Oscar's Pie Eating Contest - Durango Beer and Ice
If you’ve eaten at Oscar’s Café here in Durango, then you’ve seen the HUGE pies behind the counter. (And if you haven’t eaten there, you should.) Oscar’s Café is supplying the pies, and Durango Beer & Ice is supplying the venue for a pie-eating contest at 1:30 pm on Friday, July 5. For spectators we suggest a nice lunch and a beer at Durango Beer & Ice before watching the shenanigans. Contestants – we suggest you save room for the pie. Twelve pies, twelve contestants. 1st, 2nd & 3rd place prizes. Competitors must be 12 years or older. Competitors under 18 need a parent or guardian’s consent. All competitors must sign a waiver. This event is free to spectate, $10 entry fee to compete.

4:00-6:00pm: Watermelon Eating Contest - 11th Street Station
It’s not summer until you have had watermelon. Join us at 4:00 pm to watch – or compete – in the watermelon eating contest sponsored by 11th Street Station and the Durango Business Improvement District.  Eight contestants will be accepted for each of the three age categories – at 4:00 pm Ages 6 & under, at 4:30 pm Ages 7 to 15, and at 5:00 pm ages 16 & older. Prizes for 1st & 2nd Places. Early registration is strongly encouraged. Registration will end when all 8 spots per category are claimed or 15 minutes before the start for that age range, when all competitors must be present for check-in. Contestants under 18 years need a parent or guardian’s consent. This event is free to spectate.

5:00pm: Pie Baking Contest and Tasting - EsoTerra Ciderworks
EsoTerra Ciderworks is all about applies. Bakers in the Junior (under 18) and Senior (18 or over) categories will submit a fresh-baked apple pie to be judged by area chefs.  Once the winners have been selected, EsoTerra will serve $3 “taste” plates.  All proceeds go to preserving heritage apple trees. Come early to see the beautiful designs before the pies are cut.  Stay to taste the wonderful results.

6:00pm: First Friday Art Walk- Downtown Durango
Celebrate Durango’s creative side. Hosted by Local First, Durango Creative District, and The ArtRoom Collective, this evening of music, original performances, featured artist showcases and artisan pop-up markets all across town.

6:30pm: Apple Slushy Slam Contest- EsoTerra Ciderworks
What do you need when it is HOT, HOT, HOT outside? A cold apple slushie.  Watch or participate as teams of 3 each slam a frozen apple slushy (non-alcoholic) and compete for the fastest team time. This event is free to spectate.  Entry fee is $15 per team.

7:00pm: Live Music: "Yes ,No, Maybe" - 11th Street Station
Yes ,No, Maybe is an acoustic musical duo based in Durango, Colorado. Strings and powerful female vocals define the sound of this band. Enjoy guitar, mandolin, and bass with classic covers ranging from Sam Cooke to Elton John to the Talking Heads. This band engages and entertains their audiences with professional live sound and musical presence. Vocals, strings, and smiles?  This event is free.  While listening to YES, NO, MAYBE, purchase and enjoy a dinner and drink from one of the eight unique and delicious food trucks at 11th Street Station – Durango’s Premier Culinary Collective.

7:00pm: Red, White and Bulls: Bull Riding - La Plata County Fairgrounds
Have you ever seen a bull up close and personal? Do you know the sounds and the thump on the ground when an 1100 pound animal tries to buck off the rider? Visit the True Western Roundup as they present pro bull riding on Friday July 5. And then dance in the dirt with the Josh Ray Band after the action. Ticket price: $35-$85. Gates open at 5:00 pm, with a variety of dinner and beverage options

7:00pm: Music, Dancing and Movie: Sandlot - Buckley Park
This Family Friendly Vaudeville Style Magic Show features 5 big stage illusions. See a woman cut into thirds, pierced with swords, vanished into thin air, and the Fastest Trick in the West. By using character skits, and flawless magic technique, Mysto (the Master Magician and his lovely Assistant Alyssa) bring their audiences back to a simpler time of joy, wonder, amazement, and just good ole-fashioned FUN. Ticket price: $20. Door open at 7 pm. Show 7:30 pm.  All ages.  All minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their legal guardian.

7:00pm: The Mysto Really Big Magic Show - Animas City Theatre
Watch the classic movie, Sandlot, on a 20’ movie screen. Bring your blankets, chairs, family and friends to enjoy a night at the movies together at Buckley Park. Prior to the movie, enjoy live music by Stillwater Band. The music begins at 7:00 pm. The movie will begin 15 minutes after sunset. This event is free. Popcorn and sodas are available for purchase.

July 6,2024

8:00 am-12:00pm: Farmer's Market - TBK Bank Parking Lot
Get your farm-fresh-fix strolling through the “streets” of the Durango Farmer’s Market. Fresh flowers? A coffee and pastry for your walk? Take your time deciding which of the amazing vegetables, organic meat, and beautifully made crafts you want. Or sit and visit while listening to local musicians. The Farmer’s Market is the hot spot on Saturday mornings, in a relaxed, friendly way. Vendors take time to tell you about their farms and how their produce is grown. Durango Farmer’s Market- Supporting local farmers: the coolest trend around.

12:00-3:00pm: Live Music: Spencer and Reeder - 11th Street Station
Lu’Ann Reeder and Emily Spencer have been performing together since 2018, providing their audiences with an exquisite acoustic experience.   Reeder plays guitar and is the lead vocal, while  Spencer plays the mandolin and provides harmony. This duo covers tunes from the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s.  Relax and enjoy a wonderful afternoon listening. This event is free.  While listening to Reeder and Spencer, purchase and enjoy a lunch and drink from one of the eight unique and delicious food trucks at 11th Street Station – Durango’s Premier Culinary Collective.

12:00-9:00pm: Animus on the Animas Boxing Competition - Main Mall
The Good Fight Boxing Gym presents a USA Boxing -sanctioned amateur showcase – the first of its kind in Durango.  Approximately 20 bouts will be fought during the day, drawing USA Boxing athletes, coaches, and families from multiple states. New to boxing?  Join us at the beautiful Main Mall where a full-size boxing ring is erected to showcase boxers of all ages and backgrounds.  Stores will be open in the Main Mall for spectators and shoppers.  Proceeds from the event will support The Good Fight Scholarship Fund.

2:00pm: The Ultimate Halving Competition - 11th Street Station
Watch your fingers.  This is a competition of speed and precision as contestants halve (cut things in half) as fast as possible. Speed is good, accuracy is critical.

5:00pm: Hot Dog Eating Competition - 11th Street Station

:00pm: Red, White and Bulls: Bull Fighting- La Plata County Fairgrounds
It’s a dance of danger.   Professional bull fighters in the ring with 1200-1600 pound ornery animals. Freestyle bullfighting is a style developed in American rodeo by rodeo clowns who protect bull riders from the bull.   Watch these professionals as they engage with the bulls. And then dance in the dirt with the Josh Ray Band after the action! Ticket price: $35-$85. Gates open at 5:00 pm, with a variety of dinner and beverage options.

7:00pm: Live Music- I am Hologram- 11th Street Station
I am Hologram is a one-man band from the deserts of the Southwest who uses all his limbs to create unique soundscapes using stream of consciousness. Musician Richard Nihil is an artist, a photographer, a poet, a traveler, and an Army Veteran.  Although he spends most of his time in Arizona, he travels extensively, playing music.  His catalog includes over 1500 songs, featuring music from the 1020’s to the 2020’s. He has an impressive range, with music from Big Band, Country, Classic Rock, Delta Blues, Punk, Irish Traditional, Grunge, Hip Hop, Metal, Folk, and New Wave. This event is free.  While listening to I AM Hologram, purchase and enjoy a dinner and drink from one of the eight unique and delicious food trucks.

7:00pm: The Mysto Really Big Magic Show- Animas City Theatre
An award-winning magician, illusionist, mentalist and sleight-of-hand performer, Mysto the Magi has entertained audiences for over 30 years. Drawing heavily from Vaudeville influences, the Mysto Magic Show travels the country, bringing family-friendly smiles, laughter and amazement to audiences of every age. Mysto delivers big-stage illusions, circus arts, and world-class magic acts, all told through entertaining stories, improvisational comedy, and audience interactions.   Ticket price: $20. Door open at 7 pm. Show 7:30 pm.  All ages.   All minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by their legal guardian.

10:00pm: DJ Dance Party - 11th Street Station