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June 30, 2001 The area is gearing up to celebrate the nation’s 225th birthday. A list of events known as of press time follows below. Cortez: The Cortez Fair Association announces that fireworks, paid for by the merchants and business people of Cortez and Montezuma County, will be held on July 4, starting at dusk at Centennial Park. The Cortez Rotary Club performs most of the work raising money and putting on the display. This is the 40th year that the Rotary Club has provided fireworks for the community. It is suggested that attendees arrive before 9 p.m. in order to get a good view, and to avoid missing any of the excitement. The amount of shells has been increased, making this the largest fireworks display ever in Cortez. There will be a number of new displays, including "Geometry in the Sky." A special patriotic music program presented by the Community Band will precede the fireworks, at 7:30 p.m.. Mayor Joe Keck will give an address. Later, members of the ALERT team, a community service group visiting from Texas, will present choral selections. Arrive early for good parking. Other than the lot on the north side of Parque de Vida (access from Empire St.), parking lots within the park will be closed for safety reasons. The lot near the duck pond will be reserved for the elderly and the handicapped. Anyone with elderly or handicapped persons in their car may come to the intersection of Mildred and Montezuma and be passed through the barriers directly to this lot. The public is welcome to sit anywhere in Centennial Park. The only area in Parque de Vida available for seating will be north of the tennis court and parking lot, and south of Empire St. All other areas of Parque de Vida (including the soccer fields) will be closed for safety reasons. Law officers will enforce these restrictions. Alcoholic beverages and personal fireworks will not be allowed. Such contraband will be seized and the persons responsible will be asked to leave. Cold beverages and food will be available from concession stands operated by various youth groups. In the event of rain, the show will take place on July 5. Mancos: A fireworks display will be held in Boyle Park, startig at around 9 p.m. on the Fourth. Earlier in the day, Mancos’ annual barbecue, hosted by the Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce, will take place at the Bauer House. Fun, games and music begin at 4 p.m., with a barbecue dinner offered at 7. Donations are $10 for adults and $5 for children 5 to 12. Proceeds will benefit Mancos resident, Daneen Tompkinson. Senior citizens can also enjoy a free picnic at Boyle Park, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Call 533-7702 for more information about the picnic. Dove Creek: The annual Pick ‘n Hoe celebration begins July 3 with a street dance at 9 p.m. The dance will be held on Main Street in front of Memorial Hall. At 9 a.m., July 4, the Dove Creek Fourth of July Parade will depart from the airport, and progress down the highway, through town. Please show appropriate respect to the flag as it passes. A skydiver will carry the flag into Weber Park at 10 a.m. The queen and her court will be presented afterward. Also on July 4, there will be: a car show, beard contest, kids’ games, lunch of pit-cooked beef and beans ($5/ plate), adult games and local music competition. Fireworks begin at around dusk (gather at the football field). Events, including sports competitions, continue through July 7. Rico: Rico is getting off to an early start, with a car wash at 10 a.m., June 30 at the Community School. At 11 a.m., the Rico Women’s Club is hosting a bake sale in front of the firehouse. Proceeds will benefit the summer swim program for youth. Don’t miss the quilt show that day, to be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the town hall. The Old Timers’ Picnic will take place at the Rico ball park, south of town on Sunday, July 1, starting at 11 a.m. Please bring a dish to share, your own plate, flatware and chair. The drawing for the Rico Women’s Club raffle will be held after the barbecue at 1 p.m. A softball game follows at 2 p.m. The quilt and craft show will be held July 1 as well, from noon to 5 p.m. On July 3, "Tall Trees Grove," a string quartet, will perform traditional Americana music at the Rico Theatre and Cafe. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $5. Don’t miss the Fourth of July Parade, starting at 11 a.m., July 4 (of course!) A kids’ carnival will follow at noon, at the town park, and at 1 p.m., the Rico Blues Project will perform there. Fireworks begin at dusk at the north end of town. Rico is also on the list for a flyover by the Colorado Air National Guard on July 4. Other events nearby:
Fireworks will take place at Joe Stephenson Park, starting at dusk.
Some safety precautions: Keep fireworks away from young children and use extreme caution with home fireworks. Please be advised that the fire ban is now in effect for Montezuma County. Fireworks that are illegal throughout Colorado are: Pop-bottle rocks, firecrackers, cherry bombs, Roman candles, M-80 salutes, large reloadable shells, aerial bombs and the mail order kits designed to make these fireworks. Discuss safety with children and supervise them constantly while they are using fireworks. Under no circumstances should very young children be permitted to even touch the fireworks. Purchase only fireworks that are legal to set off in the area and that are in sound condition. Inspect them for signs of powder leaking, age or moisture exposure. Establish a safe viewing area outdoors where observers are kept well away from the fireworks. The display area should be located in the center of a paved or concrete area that is away from houses, shrubs and dried grasses. Light fireworks one at a time and never try to relight a firework that has not fully functioned. Leave them in place for several hours before touching them. Never ignite fireworks in glass or metal containers. |
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Copyright © 2001 the Cortez
Journal. All rights reserved. |
