Commerce City 4th Fest

In Commerce City, July 4 means family fun, and 2010 is no exception! Commerce City is partnering with the Colorado Rapids to bring you its FREE annual 4th Fest celebration on Sunday, July 4.
Kicking off the day’s festivities is a free Wild Walk (6k or 1 mile) at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge from 9 a.m. to noon. Pre-register by calling 303-289-0930; para espanol, call 303-289-0864.

Bring your family and celebrate the Fourth of July, 5-9 p.m. at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, just off Quebec Parkway at 60th Avenue. Family activities will be set up outside Rapids’ stadium, and include everything from a climbing wall to crafts, entertainment and much more.

While families try out the inflatable obstacle course, mechanical bull and parachute decorating, roaming characters will entertain crowds. Main stage entertainment features a bicycle jump group, musicians and a mad scientist. The festival also features a balloon artist, face painters, food vendors and a beer garden, all outside the stadium.

Parking lots around the Rapids soccer stadium and Civic Center open at 4 p.m.; family activities and entertainment are available 5-9 p.m. The family activities are free – and so is the parking.

The Colorado Rapids play the New York Red Bulls in a 7 p.m. game at the stadium (you must purchases tickets to attend the game); following the game, there will be a fireworks display at about 9:30 p.m.

4th Fest guidelines
• Picnics are welcome, no glass containers allowed
• Shade structures are allowed; stakes may not be driven into the ground.
• BBQ grills allowed in parking lots only and must use a controlled flame. Open fires using logs, charcoal or wood are prohibited.
• Alcohol is prohibited except in beer garden. It must be purchased and consumed in the beer garden.
• No pets are allowed at the park.
• Individual fireworks are not permitted in city limits.

Parking guidelines
• Parking will not be allowed along Quebec Street or 56th Avenue.
• Parking entrances are at 56th Avenue and Valentia Street, and along Quebec Parkway at 60th and 64th avenues.
• There are more than 100 parking spaces for guests with disabilities that are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• A drop-off and pick-up zone is available on the west side of the stadium at 60th Avenue and Victory Way.
• Shuttle service in the complex is not available.

For more information on 4th Fest activities, contact Commerce City Parks and Recreation at 303-289-3760.

Schedule of events
9 a.m.-noon Wild Walk at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
4 p.m. FREE parking opens at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park
5 p.m. FREE family activities open
Food and drink vendors, beer garden opens
Main stage entertainment begins
5 p.m. Mad Science (“Spin, Pop, Boom!” entertaining experiments)
6:30 p.m. Acoustic guitarist/vocalist Jeff Brinkman
7:30 p.m. Jagtones (classic rock and rhythm and blues)
7 p.m. Soccer game (Rapids vs. Red Bulls – tickets must be purchased for game)
9:30 p.m. Fireworks show