Celebrate the red, white and blast! Here's 6 Fourth of July events in Pueblo

Patriotic music, old-fashioned train rides, free food, a cooling 'spray in the park' and, of course, fireworks are on tap Thursday as Pueblo area residents celebrate the Fourth of July and the United States' 248th birthday.

This year's celebration will look a bit different in Pueblo West after metro district officials opted to cancel the long-running Fourth of July Wet Parade. There will still be a water fight, but it will be a scaled-down, safer event.

Here's what's on tap for Independence Day festivities

Independence Day Train Rides at Pueblo Railway Museum

200 W. B St. | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Train rides start behind the Pueblo Union Depot. Hot dogs, snow cones, snacks and drinks are available for a small donation. Riders are treated to free ice cream and bottled water. Trains depart every 20 minutes, so there will be multiple opportunities during the event to ride the train. Tickets can be purchased at the gift shop, a converted caboose near the passenger boarding area. Tickets are $15 for a ride in the engine, or $10 for a ride in one of three cabooses. Children younger than 3 ride the train free. Call 719-544-1773 for details.

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Sing Out for America at Center for American Values

101 S. Main St. Suite 100 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | This Independence Day celebration is a free event. Donations are welcome.

Independence Day at City Park Pool

221 S. Parkside Lane | noon-5 p.m. | Military, veterans and first responders are admitted free with proof of service. Regular admission applies to all others. Ray Aguilera Park Pool, Mineral Palace Park Pool and Mitchell Park Pool all will be closed.

Jack Fowler Fourth of July Memorial Celebration in Pueblo West

Fire Station 1, 51 E Hahns Peak Ave. for 8-10:30 a.m. pancake breakfast | Civic Center Park, 61 E. Civic Center Plaza, for 2 p.m. "Spray in the Park" event | 5 p.m. free hot dogs | The fire department will bring the ladder truck and spray a refreshing mist to cool off everyone. A water gun fight will ensue. No water balloons allowed. Food trucks and vendors will be on hand until 8 p.m. plus there will be corn hole games. The winner of the adorable baby contest will be announced at 7:45 p.m. A fireworks display will start at dusk.

Rollin' on the Riverwalk in downtown Pueblo

Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo | 4 p.m. | Festivities include an array of local food and retail vendors, boat rides, pedal boats and live music with Grizzly Gopher and Triple Nickel. One of Pueblo's biggest fireworks displays put on by Western Enterprises will wrap up the event at dusk.

Freedom Concert at Pueblo Memorial Hall

1 City Hall Place | 7 p.m. | The Pueblo Symphony Orchestra will perform its Fourth of July Celebrate Freedom Concert under the direction of Conductor Andrzej Grabiec, with Spinphony, the electric string quartet. The event is free and will conclude in time for the audience to see the fireworks show.

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Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via X, formerly Twitter, at twitter.com/tracywumps. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.