🎇 Fort Collins 4th of July: Parades, Picnics & Fireworks Galore

Your full Independence Day itinerary is here—races, trolley rides, backyard vibes, and a bangin’ fireworks finale.

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What's Happenin' Team
July 02, 2025

🇺🇸 Your 4th of July Guide to Fort Collins

Hey there, FoCo,

Fire up the sparklers—FoCo’s Fourth of July celebration is packed with all-American fun from sunrise to fireworks. Whether you’re racing at dawn, picnicking by noon, or chasing fireworks after dark, this lineup has your holiday covered.

🧠 Fort Collins Trivia Time

🧠 Trivia Time: Who (or what) is CAM the Ram named after?

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👉 Tap to vote—we’ll reveal the answer in the outro!

🎇 Fourth of July in Fort Collins: Your Festive Game Plan

FoCo knows how to throw a birthday bash—especially when it’s for America. Here’s how to do the Fourth right in Fort Collins:

🎽 Start Strong

  • FireKracker 5K – Lace up and hit City Park at 7:30 AM. Walk, jog, or race your way into the day.

  • Parade on Mountain Ave – March into patriotic spirit starting at 10:00 AM with floats, music, and community flair.

🎉 All-Day Festivities @ City Park

  • Food Trucks & Family Fun – Chow down, splash around, and let the kids loose in the Fun Zone.

  • Live Music & Trolley Rides – Ride a vintage trolley for free, then groove to tunes through the evening.

  • Fireworks Over Sheldon Lake – The big boom begins at 9:35 PM—bring your blanket and best “oohs.”

🎆 Fort Collins Favorites

  • Avery House Lawn Party – Old-school games and charm from 10 AM to 1 PM.

  • Stars & Stripes Golf Tournament – Hit the links and celebrate with post-round BBQ.

  • Natural Area Picnic – Pack a spread and soak in the scenery. We’ll allow red, white, and blue snacks.

🌄 Make It a Weekend

  • Whitewater rafting on the Poudre

  • Camping at Horsetooth Reservoir

  • Movie night at the Holiday Twin Drive-In

🗓 What’s Happenin’ in Fort Collins: Event Listings

🎭 Wednesday, July 2

🎤 Weekly Open Mic Comedy (recurring Wednesday)📍 Slyce Pizza Co. | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🆓 Free
🎶 Live Music Wednesdays (recurring Wednesday) 📍 CooperSmith’s Brewpub | ⏰ Evening | 🆓 Free

🎨 Beyond Resilience, Shawn Bush- Angle of Draw, Justin Carney- When All Is Said and When All Is Done📍 201 S. College Avenue | ⏰ Time TBD | 🎟️ Ticketed

🎨 41st Annual new Legacies: Contemporary Art Quilts📍 417 W. Magnolia, 417 W. Magnolia | ⏰ 4-6PM | 🎟️ Ticketed

🧠 Music Trivia at The Lyric📍 1209 N College Ave | ⏰ 6-8pm | 🎟️ Ticketed

Thursday, July 3

🧠 Thursday Night Trivia (recurring Thursday) 📍 Jessup Farm Barrel House | ⏰ 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM | 🆓 Free

🎵 Colorado Springsteen (Bruce Springsteen Tribute) coming to Aggie Theatre📍 204 S. College Ave | ⏰ 08:00PM | 🎟️ Ticketed

😂 Comedy Showcase📍 120 S Mason. St | ⏰ 7:00 PM | 🎟️ Ticketed

🎵 The Positive Spin: Vinyl Record Night at Mobb Mountain Distillers📍 400 Linden Street, Fort Collins | ⏰ 6pm-9pm | 🎟️ Ticketed

Want more? See the full calendar → Fort Collins Event Calendar

🎇 Final Spark

From parades to park hangs to postcard-worthy fireworks, Fort Collins turns the 4th into a celebration you’ll actually remember. Got a great photo or tradition? Send it our way—we’ll be raising a sparkler to you.

 ✅ Answer: C) Colorado Agricultural and Mechanical College

CAM the Ram has been repping CSU pride since 1954—named after the university’s original title and still struttin’ strong with his crew of Ram Handlers. Now that’s one legendary hoofprint in school spirit history! 🐏💚💛📬 Reply and share your FoCo Fourth—bonus points for parade outfits and sunset shots!

—Your What’s Happenin’ Fort Collins crew 💛

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