There is no more American way to celebrate the Fourth of July than with traditional parades, picnics and fireworks in the beautiful Aspen, CO. Of course Aspen has never been the most conventional of cities, so along with the traditional Fourth of July activities, a few non-traditional celebrations will be taking place throughout the day as well.

Bright and early on Wednesday, July 4^th, the Boogie’s Diner Buddy 5-mile Charity Race will get things cracking. Voted the best-organized race in Aspen last year this event enables over 650 young people within the Aspen/Snowmass community mentoring opportunities and activities. For those with dogs, or not quite ready for a full 5 mile run, the one mile Family/Canine Walk will immediately follow the race.

Kids and their parents can head over after the race to the Kid’s Bicycle Decorating at Paepcke Park in preparation for the Old Fashioned 4^th of July Parade starting at noon. Anyone and everyone can participate in the parade for free. Simply registering is enough to secure a spot in the line-up.

After the finishing touches on the bike have been placed, a quick trip over to the 12^th Annual “America’s Birthday Carnival,” also in Paepcke Park will help pass the time until the parade gets started. For those who didn’t quite make it to the carnival before the parade, the activities will continue until 2:30p.m.

Competing picnics will take place later in the afternoon. The traditional BBQ picnic, with a beer garden and live music put on by the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club will take place at the Koch Park, while just across town the Aspen Art Museum’s Annual Fourth of July Picnic will offer a cultural as a side to its popular picnic fare.

As the sun sets Fourth of July celebrants will have the choice of a number of activities. The Fireworks Extravaganza is always a favorite with families (cancelled this year because of fire danger), preceded by the Free Fourth of July Concert in which the Aspen Music Festival Band will perform patriotic songs and the traditional ‘Dancing in the Streets’ with Whitewater Ramble, where community members kick off their shoes and dance the night away.

However, Avenue Q will play at the Hurst Theatre offering a light-hearted finale to an action packed day. Avenue Q has been sweeping the musical world, winning the Tony ‘Triple Crown’ award. Its debut in Aspen just days before the Fourth is cause for celebration in and of itself. An opportunity to celebrate the Fourth while enjoying this musical is a rare and unconventional treat.

Mayer Hawthorne & The County: How Do You Do World Tour, will rock Fourth of July at Belly Up Aspen for those who would prefer music over fireworks, or for those who want to pop in afterward. The party will continue long after the rest of the Fourth July celebrations wrap up.

Celebrate the Stars and Stripes with your friends and family in Aspen and Snowmass Village this Fourth and every Fourth for years to come! Click here to see homes, condos and resorts in the area today!