Colorado celebrates Independence Day 2024

The neighborhoods, cities and counties of Colorado celebrated Independence Day Thursday with parades, barbecues and community events before darkness brought the fireworks and drone shows.

That included the 14th annual Park Hill Independence Day Parade, the largest of its kind in Denver.

The parade began at 23rd Avenue and Dexter Street with the 101st Army Band from Buckley Air Force Base, an equestrian group, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile and several superheroes.

Tradition dictates the parade start with the National Anthem, this year sung by Staff Sgt. Ron McKay and accompanied by the 101st Army band.

Sgt. First Class (and clarinetist) Nathaniel Johnston has been a band member for 35 years. His parents, Staff Sgt. Betty Johnson and First Sgt. Carl Schaphoff, were also band members. Between them, they have more than 100 years in the Army band.

Nearly 60 groups and more than individuals 900 participated.

Celebrations were too numerous to mention, but included the Colorado 4th at Firestone, the Greeley Stampede, The 4th of July Spectacular in Aurora, the Stars & Stripes Independence Eve Celebration at Riverdale Regional Park in Brighton, Paonia Cherry Days Festival and Town of Wellington Fourth of July Celebration, to name but a few.

Ada Christensen, 7, won the prize for Most Patriotic Ensemble at Littleton's Aberdeen Village July 4 kids' parade in Ketring Park.

Denver Gazette reporters Carol McKinley and John Moore contributed to this report.