VIDEO: A Somewhat Unusual Fourth of July Schedule

Due to public health and safety concerns and current Governor’s Orders, the following 4th of July activities in Pagosa Springs have been canceled:

  • 4th of July Parade
  • Carnival in the Park
  • Red Ryder Roundup Rodeo

Fireworks are scheduled to continue as planned, shooting off at about 9:30pm on Saturday, July 4 — fire conditions permitting. Click here for a map of fireworks viewing and parking locations.

Pagosa Peak Open School, at 7 Parelli Way, will be hosting “Drive In Movies” in the school parking lot starting tonight, Thursday, July 2, and continuing on Friday and Saturday, July 3 and 4. The family-friendly films will be projected on the school’s new 25-foot inflatable screen, with audio delivered to your car’s FM radio. Entrance and parking is by donation; the school also plans to have “movie snacks” available for purchase.

To find out which films are showing, send an email to movies@ppos.co and you’ll receive an instant schedule delivered to your email account. The “Car Hop Movie Theater” events are a fundraiser for the public charter school, which is open to all Archuleta families on a first-come-first-serve enrollment basis.

Not to be put out by the Town Council decision to cancel the annual downtown parade — normally, the best attended event in all of Pagosa — the Pagosa Springs Area Tourism Board has announced “The Freedom Float”, to take place during no particular time of day on July 4.

From the visitpagosasprings.com website:

That’s right! An unusual year calls for an unsual ‘parade!’

We hope you’ll #JustBeHere with a tube, your best 4th of July, red, white, and blue outfit, some sunscreen, and a smile on your face. Let’s fill the San Juan River through downtown Pagosa Springs with patriotic tubers to celebrate Independence Day! More details coming soon!

According to Tourism Director Jennie Green as quoted in the Pagosa Springs SUN, “We’re still trying not to encourage large gatherings, so hopefully the tubes will keep them separated and people will just kind of do it throughout the day.”

For those who are decorating their tubes or floats, keeping trash out of the San Juan River is a priority, she said. “We want a clean river when this is over, so try to make sure the red, white and blue sticks to you as much as possible.”

Also on the schedule for the holiday weekend is the Chamber’s annual Park 2 Park Artisan and Food Market, July 3-6, 10am-6pm.

From the Chamber website:

Enjoy arts and crafts and food vendors from all over the region. Shop individual booths and find just the right gifts to start your Christmas shopping early. Food vendors, jewelry, art, crafts, collectibles, clothes, unique gifts and more.

The Town of Pagosa Springs has granted use of Town Park, Town Park athletic field (where carnival usually is), and Mary Fisher Park. The Town of Pagosa Springs is supporting us this year with additional signage.

IMPORTANT: ALL VENDORS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR FACE MASKS DURING THE HOURS OF THE MARKET.

  • Please bring some sanitation items to keep your booth clean and safe for guests
  • There will be at least 12 feet between all booths
  • 6 feet social distancing is also being encouraged to our guests, as well as, masks
  • Private security has been hired to patrol each night from 7pm to 7am. But you are responsible for keeping your products safe and secure.

The New Thought Center for Inspirational Living will be holding their “Independence Day Music Breakout Concert” event at the Best Western Lodge on US 160 from 10am to 3pm on July 4, featuring a number of local musicians. Tickets are $10.

Event participants are encouraged to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing. Remember that some people cannot wear masks, for health reasons. Let’s all be patient, and kind to one another.

Bill Hudson

Bill Hudson began sharing his opinions in the Pagosa Daily Post in 2004 and can't seem to break the habit. He claims that, in Pagosa Springs, opinions are like pickup trucks: everybody has one.