By Patte Smith

Get out your lawn chairs and blankets to celebrate the 4th of July close to home in Castle Rock. While there is no official celebration in town, fireworks will be launched from the Santa Fe Quarry Butte that is located above Red Hawk Ridge Golf Course, south of The Meadows. This is called a “high-flying” show, and there will not be a designated park for the public to watch the fireworks. For more information, visit www.crgov.com.

The Parker Stars and Stripes Celebration will be at Salisbury Park, 12010 North Motsenbocker Road, on July 4 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The Six Million Dollar Band will be mixing it up with patriotic music and jamming to ‘80s hits from 6:00 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. General event admission is free and event parking is $10, cash only. Visit www.parkeronline.org/ for more information.

Highland Heritage Regional Park will begin its 4th of July celebration at 4:00 p.m. concluding with the fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. There will be balloon twisters, face painters, games and inflatables, live music and great fireworks. There is shuttle parking available to and from the event from Highlands Ranch High School and Rock Canyon High School. For more information, visit https://hrcaonline.org/.

Hudson Gardens in Littleton features Super Diamond, a Neil Diamond Tribute Band on July 3. The venue opens at 5:30 p.m. with the concert at 7:30 p.m. There is free parking, food trucks, beer and wine, and a stunning outdoor atmosphere. A fireworks display begins after the show. For more information, visit www.hudsongardens.org.

In downtown Denver, the annual Independence Eve Celebration in Civic Center Park on July 3 will feature a free patriotic concert by Chris Daniels and the Kings and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, a stunning light show on the Denver City and County Building and a fireworks finale. Lawn seating will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so bring blankets or low-rise concert/beach chairs. Attendees are welcome to bring picnics, though concessions will also be available on-site. For more information, visit https://www.denver.org/.

After spending the 4th of July day at Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park, take a rest and watch fireworks light up the night sky starting at dusk. For more information, visit www.elitchgardens.com/entertainment/fireworks/.

Take yourself out to the ball game and watch the Colorado Rockies vs. Houston Astros July 2 or July 3 at beautiful Coors Field. Both games are at 6:10 p.m. with fireworks after the game. Get your tickets soon, these games sell out fast! For tickets, visit https://www.mlb.com/rockies.

How about taking the in-laws to see the Denver Outlaws Lacrosse team at Mile High Stadium on the 4th of July? The family can watch the Outlaws vs. the Chesapeake Bayhawks at 7 p.m. and enjoy fireworks after the game. The Denver Outlaw Dancers will be on hand to cheer on the team. For more information, visit www.denveroutlaws.com.

Car racing your thing? At Colorado National Speedway, watch fireworks after the races on July 5 at the Midsummer Meltdown Circle Drags and on July 6 after the Noble Energy Sprint Car Finale. The racetrack is located north of Denver at 4281 Speedway Drive, Dacona. For more information, visit www.coloradospeedway.com/.

While no fireworks at this event in Cherry Creek North, the area is abuzz with the Cherry Creek Arts Festival. This free outdoor event is a cultural celebration of the visual, performing and culinary arts. Visitors meet and talk with international visual artists, enjoy a wide range of family-friendly fun and sample fine cuisine. The Cultural Pavilion is where art lovers will find music, dance and theater from around the globe. For information, visit cherrycreekartsfestival.org/.