Vail America Days offers full schedule of music, parades, fireworks and more July 1-4

Vail's event-filled Fourth of July celebration, Vail America Days, continues to be a top destination for those looking to celebrate the summer holiday in a fun and safe mountain environment.

A full weekend of activities leads up to Monday's July Fourth celebration, including the 39th annual Vail Lacrosse Shootout, Friday Afternoon Club activities, Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, gondola rides, nature hikes, live street entertainment and more. Lodging is available by visiting www.vail.com or by calling 1-888-632-9985.

Vail's traditional Fourth of July parade, beloved by locals and guests alike, takes place on Monday, Independence Day. This year's theme is “Made in America” and will set the tone for the rest of the day's celebrations featuring street entertainment, a patriotic concert and a fireworks display.

The Fourth of July morning commences with a free community breakfast at the Vail Interfaith Chapel at 8 a.m. followed by an Interfaith worship service. The traditional Town of Vail Public Library Bake and Book Sale begin at 8 and 9 a.m., respectively on West Meadow Drive, followed by the Vail America Days Parade, which begins at 10 a.m. The parade kicks off at Golden Peak and then continues 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 weaves through the LionsHead Mall to the finish at approximately noon.

Fourth of July celebrations continue throughout the remainder of the day with free street entertainment in LionsHead and Vail Village beginning at noon. At 2 p.m., the annual patriotic concert performed by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and presented by Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival and the Vail Valley Foundation will take place at the Ford Amphitheater. Lawn seats are free on a first-come, first-served basis with gates opening at 12:30 p.m. Pavilion seating is $15. Tickets will be available to walk-up customers only at the Ford Amphitheater box office beginning at 8 a.m. on July 1. Ticket buyers must be 16 years or older; limit four tickets per person. A fireworks display is planned for dusk at approximately 9:45 p.m. at Golden Peak, conditions permitting. Call 970-376-3756 for updates.

For the first time in 10 years, Vail is rescinding an overnight curfew and eliminating late-night checkpoints in Vail Village due to the long-term success of the public safety campaign in creating a family-friendly environment.

New this summer, Vail's parking plan includes full utilization of the Vail Village and LionsHead parking structures before allowing overflow parking on the Frontage Road. For added convenience, look for expanded bus service throughout the holiday weekend and close-in paid parking at Ford Park, the soccer field, Manor Vail and Solaris; rates vary. Real-time parking status information is available on m.vail.com or visit www.vaileventparking.com for expanded and extended transit routes and parking information.

In addition, residents with curbside trash service are reminded to check with their trash removal company to determine if collection schedules will be affected by the Fourth of July holiday. Vail wildlife protection regulations prohibit placing trash outside for pick up other than from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the scheduled trash collection day.

The town will be distributing information pamphlets prior to the holiday weekend which will detail the event schedule. To request copies of the pamphlet, contact the town's Community Information Office at 479-2115.

Fourth of July Weekend Activities/Events

Friday, July 1
• Patriotic Concert Tickets available for July 4th concert from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Amphitheater Box Office only – limit of 4 (ticket buyers must be 16 years or older). Lawn seating will be first-come, first-served on July 4 with gates opening at 12:30 p.m. for the 2 p.m. concert.
• Yoga in the Gardens, 9 a.m., Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Ford Park
• Eagle Bahn Gondola, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., LionsHead Guided Nature Hike, 11 a.m. & 2 p.m., Nature Discovery Center, top of Gondola
• Alpine Wind Ensemble, 4:30 p.m., Slifer Square/Vail Village
• West Vail Fire Station No. 3 Community Open House, 5 p.m.
• Bravo! Dallas Symphony Orchestra, 6 p.m., Ford Amphitheater
• Friday Afternoon Club, Eagle's Nest on Vail Mountain S'mores & More, Family Campground Program, 7 p.m., Vail Nature Center
• Vail Lacrosse Shootout presented by Harrow, approx. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Men's Elite at Ford Park and Freedom Park in Edwards; Women's Elite at Freedom Park and Vail Athletic Field

Saturday, July 2
• Summertime Community Yoga, 8:15 a.m., Solaris Plaza, Vail Village
• Eagle Bahn Gondola, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., LionsHead
• Guided Garden Tour, 10:30 a.m., Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Ford Park
• Guided Nature Hike, 11 a.m. & 2 p.m., Nature Discovery Center, top of Gondola
• Vail Public Library Book Sale, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Bravo! Dallas Symphony Orchestra, 6 p.m., Ford Amphitheater Fireside Program, 7 p.m., Gore Creek Campground Amphitheater
• Vail Lacrosse Shootout presented by Harrow, approx. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Men's Elite at Ford Park and Freedom Park in Edwards; Women's Elite at Freedom Park and Vail Athletic Field

Sunday, July 3
• La Sportiva Vail HillClimb Trail Running Race, 8 a.m. start in Slifer Square
• Eagle Bahn Gondola, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., LionsHead Vail
• Farmers' Market & Art Show, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Vail Village
• Creekside Tour, 11 a.m. & 1:30 p.m., Meet at the Nature Center Booth at the Farmers' Market
• Vail Public Library Book Sale, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Vail Jazz presents Ginga Band in the tent at Solaris, Noon to 3 p.m.
• Guided Nature Hike, 11 a.m. & 2 p.m., Nature Discovery Center, top of Gondola
• Bravo! Dallas Symphony Orchestra, 6 p.m., Ford Amphitheater
• Vail Lacrosse Shootout presented by Harrow, approx. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Men's Elite at Ford Park & Vail Athletic Field and Freedom Park in Edwards; Women's Elite at Freedom Park & championship game at Ford Park.

Monday, July 4 - Vail America Days
• Community Breakfast Vail Interfaith Chapel, Free, 8 a.m.
• Community Interfaith Worship Service, Vail Chapel, 9 to 10 a.m.
• Yoga in the Gardens, 9 a.m., Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Ford Park
• Eagle Bahn Gondola, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., LionsHead
• Guided Garden Tour, 10:30 a.m., Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, Ford Park
• Guided Nature Hike, 11 a.m. & 2 p.m., Nature Discovery Center, top of Gondola
• Wildflower Walk, 11:30 a.m., Vail Nature Center
• Vail America Days --Parade, “Made in America,” 10 a.m., Golden Peak to LionsHead
• Vail Public Library Bake Sale, 8 a.m. to Noon
• Vail Public Library Book Sale, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Free Bravo! Patriotic Concert w/Dallas Symphony Orchestra, 2 p.m., gates open at 12:30 p.m., Ford Amphitheater. Lawn seating will be first-come, first-served. Call 476-2918 for ticket info.
• Musical entertainment following the parade, Noon to 2 p.m., LionsHead & Vail Village
• Fireworks at Golden Peak in Vail, Dusk (approx. 9:45 p.m. conditions Permitting; call 376-3756 for updates)

Events are subject to change. For more information, call the Vail Visitor Center at 476-4790 or visit www.vail.com. Vail America Days is sponsored by the Town of Vail, Gallegos Corporation and Vail Daily.