Vail officials offer tips for enjoying Fourth of July week

Vail America Days organizers are ready to welcome guests and area residents this week for the Fourth of July holiday which includes Vail's popular parade on Wednesday, plus a full day of activities.

Those who gather in Vail and throughout the county are being asked to be mindful of the fire restrictions that have been enacted for Vail, Eagle County and the surrounding public lands. As such, all professional fireworks displays have been cancelled in recognition of the extremely dry conditions. Personal fireworks are banned statewide. For a safe and enjoyable experience while in Vail, use the following tips:

Public Parking & Event Access
Arrive early on Wednesday, July 4 to enjoy free parking in the Vail Village and Lionshead parking garages. The 2,500 parking spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis and typically reach capacity prior to the 10 a.m. start of the parade. Once the two structures fill, additional free parking will be available on the north side of the South Frontage Road (next to the Interstate) until 11 p.m. Close-in parking at Ford Park and the Soccer Field will be available for $10 on a first-come, first-served basis from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Paid parking is also available at Solaris; rates vary. Vail and ECO Transit will offer increased bus service throughout the holiday week. On July 2-8, Vail express buses will provide free 6- to 8-minute Frontage Road service between Ford Park, Vail Village and Lionshead from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Call 477-3456 for Vail bus information or 328-3520 for ECO schedule details. Visit www.vaileventparking.com for expanded and extended transit routes and parking info.

Vail America Days Parade
The region's largest parade begins at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 4 and winds its way from Golden Peak on Vail Valley Drive, then 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 through the Lionshead Mall to finish at approximately noon. For a good view of the parade, arrive by 9:30 a.m. and pick a location along the parade route. No water fights, please. Also, consider leaving your dog at home where it will be safe from the crowds and loud noises which could startle your pet. To help reduce congestion, spectators are encouraged to ride their bikes or take the bus to the parade.

Fourth of July Activities/Events
For details, visit www.vail.com or call 970-476-4790.

Monday, July 2

Vail Lacrosse Shootout approx. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Men's Elite at Ford Park in Vail and Freedom Park in Edwards; Women's Elite at Freedom Park in Edwards; Men's Masters at Vail Athletic Field in Vail
Dallas Symphony Orchestra String Quartet performs at Arrabelle at Vail Square, 1 to 2 p.m. www.vailmusicfestival.org - FREE
Dallas Symphony Orchestra, “Swingin' with Curtis Stigers” BRAVO! Vail Valley Music Festival, 6 p.m. Gerald Ford Amphitheater www.vailmusicfestival.org

Tuesday, July 3

Vail Lacrosse Shootout approx. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Men's Elite at Ford Park in Vail and Freedom Park in Edwards; Women's Elite at Freedom Park in Edwards and Vail Athletic Field in Vail
Hot Summer Nights Concert Series featuring Martin Sexton, 6:30 p.m. at the Gerald Ford Amphitheater www.vvf.org- FREE

Wednesday, July 4“Vail America Days” www.vail4th.com
Celebrate the nations' birthday “Vail-style” with exciting events and activities for the entire family!

Free community pancake breakfast at 8 a.m., Vail Interfaith Chapel in Vail Village, followed by Interfaith Worship Service at 9 a.m.
Vail Public Library Bake Sale, 8 a.m. to noon in front of the main entrance to the Dobson Arena (across from the library entrance)
Vail Lacrosse Shootout approx. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Men's Elite at Ford Park in Vail and Freedom Park in Edwards; Women's Elite at Freedom Park in Edwards, Vail Athletic Field in Vail and championship game at Ford Park in Vail
Vail's traditional community parade begins at 10 a.m. The route is from Golden Peak/Vail Village to Lionshead. This year's parade theme, “Team America,” celebrates Vail's ties to the athletes who will be competing at the Olympic Games in London this summer.
The crowd's favorite Patriotic Concert, “America the Beautiful” featuring the Dallas Symphony Orchestra takes place at 2 p.m. in the Gerald Ford Amphitheater. Lawn seating is free, but come early as it always fills up!
Family activities in Lionshead from noon to 4 p.m. and a Beer Garden featuring live musical entertainment in Solaris Plaza will be ongoing throughout the day and into the evening.
In response to the existing drought conditions, the professional fireworks display has been cancelled in Vail and elsewhere in Eagle County. Personal fireworks are banned statewide with strict enforcement.

Thursday, July 5

Vail Lacrosse Shootout approx. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Men's Supermasters at Ford Park and Vail Athletic Field in Vail; Men's Grandmasters at Donovan Park in Vail; Under 19 High School Girls at Freedom Park in Edwards; Under 19 High School Boys at Nottingham Park in Avon, Eagle/Vail and Homestake Peak School
Jazz at Vail Square featuring the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, 6 p.m. in Vail Square at Arrabelle www.vailjazz.org
Darius Rucker in concert at the Gerald Ford Amphitheater, 6 p.m. www.sprivail.org

Friday, July 6

Vail Lacrosse Shootout approx. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Men's Supermasters at Ford Park and Vail Athletic Field in Vail; Men's Grandmasters at Donovan Park in Vail; Under 19 High School Girls at Freedom Park in Edwards; Under 19 High School Boys at Nottingham Park in Avon
Behind the Music: Pre-concert talk with Jack Sheinbaum, 5 to 5:30 p.m., Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Ford Park www.vailmusicfestival.org- FREE
The Philadelphia Orchestra playing the music of Brahms, Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, 6 p.m., Gerald Ford Amphitheater. www.vailmusicfestival.org

Saturday, July 7

La Sportiva Vail Hill Climb Trail Running Race: The Vail Hill Climb race begins at 8 a.m. in Vail Village on the paved road located next to Vail's Mountain Haus and ascends on a gravel trail taking runners to the finish line at Eagle's Nest www.vailrec.com
Vail Lacrosse Shootout approx. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Men's Supermasters at Ford Park and Vail Athletic Field in Vail; Men's Grandmasters at Donovan Park in Vail; Under 19 High School Girls at Freedom Park in Edwards; Under 19 High School Boys at Nottingham Park in Avon
The Philadelphia Orchestra featuring music by Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, 6 p.m., Gerald Ford Amphitheater www.vailmusicfestival.org

Sunday, July 8

Vail Lacrosse Shootout approx. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Men's Supermasters at Ford Park and Vail Athletic Field in Vail; Under 19 High School Girls at Freedom Park in Edwards; Under 19 High School Boys at Nottingham Park in Avon and Ford Field in Vail
Farmers Market and Art Show, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Meadow Drive in Vail Village www.vailfarmersmarket.com– FREE
CANTUS Vocal Ensemble, 10 to 11 a.m. at the Farmers' Market www.vailmusicfestival.org- FREE
Instrument Petting Zoo at the Farmers' Market, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. www.vailmusicfestival.org- FREE
Jazz @ the Market featuring Kathy Morrow, noon to 3 p.m. at the Jazz Tent in Solaris www.vailjazz.org- FREE
The Philadelphia Orchestra: “Cirque de la Symphonie” Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, 6 p.m., Gerald Ford Amphitheater www.vailmusicfestival.org

Fireworks/Open Burning Restrictions
It is illegal to use personal fireworks of any kind within the state of Colorado. Fire officials in Vail will be aggressively enforcing the ban on open burning to eliminate the potential for human-caused fires. Fire restrictions in Vail and Eagle County prohibit campfires and use of charcoal grills, among other activities. Outdoor smoking is also prohibited in most areas, including Vail Mountain. Please be vigilant and call 9-1-1 if you see smoke or something out of the ordinary. For additional details on fire restrictions, visit vailgov.com.

Bus Service
Increased bus service in Vail will be provided throughout the day and into the evening on July 4 with six-to-eight-minute frequency on the in-town shuttle serving Lionshead, Vail Village and Golden Peak, with 40-minute to one-hour service on most outlying routes during peak times and one-to-two hour outlying service during non-peak times. No in-town shuttles will run during the parade, 9:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ECO regional transit will provide service as follows: For the Vail America Days parade, catch the ECO bus at Riverwalk in Edwards at 9:07 a.m., Avon Station at 9:17 a.m., or the Forest Service parking lot at Dowd Junction at 9:32 a.m. Fares are $4 for adults; $1 for children and seniors with proof of age. Call 970-477-3456 for Vail bus schedule information. For more information on ECO routes, go online at www.eaglecounty.us, or call 970-328-3520.

Celebrate Safely
For the second consecutive year, the July 4 curfew and Vail Village checkpoints are being eliminated for the upcoming holiday. The public safety measures are no longer needed, at least for now, due to Vail's previous success in establishing an enduring family-friendly atmosphere. Thank you for your cooperation.

Alcohol
Public consumption of alcoholic beverages on the streets of Vail is prohibited. No open containers are allowed in Vail. If you plan to drink, don't drink and drive, make arrangements to ride the bus or arrange for a designated driver.

Dogs
Vail has a leash law for dogs in the Vail Village and Lionshead areas. Your cooperation in keeping your animal in control and on a leash is greatly appreciated. Please also use the town-provided doggy waste bags.

Lost and Found
If you've lost an item on the bus, in the parking structure or on the streets, stop by the Vail Police Department in the Vail Municipal Building at 75 S. Frontage Road to ask if the item has been recovered. Or, call 970-479-2208. If you've lost an item on Vail Mountain, call 970-754-3059.

Emergency Assistance
Dial 911 for emergencies. Throughout the day, the Vail Police Department will increase its presence to provide a safe environment for your celebration. For emergency notifications, subscribe to Eagle County Alert at www.ecalert.org.