If you’re going to be in the Durango area this Independence Day, there’s gonna be a whole lotta red-white-and-blue happening in the city.

• Durango will be hopping during its annual Fourth of July celebration, Salute to America. Events kick off at 7:30 a.m. with a pancake breakfast in Rotary Park, followed by a 5K Freedom Fun Run at 9 a.m. Over in Buckley Park, there will be a public reading of the Declaration of Independence at 11 a.m., followed by a Kids Flea Market and family picnic that both start at noon. The day includes a barbecue fest in downtown with a beer garden and live music and a patriotic parade that starts at 6 p.m., followed by a good, ol’-fashioned street dance at 6:30 p.m.
• After you dance till you drop, the city’s Fourth festivities will wrap up with a fireworks display that starts at 9:15 p.m. in downtown.
• You can get your fix of both fine art and fireworks this Fourth of July during the First Thursdays Art Walk in downtown Durango. Venues (both art galleries and alternative art spaces) open to the public at 5 p.m. and will host activities until 7 p.m.
• If you’re looking for something a bit more mellow, musical theater might be the ticket. Catch the musical “They’re Playing Our Song” during the Durango Art Center’s A Neil Simon Summer. The show runs Saturday and Thursday nights (including Independence Day) through August.

One last thing, before you hop on the Durango & Silverton train, be sure to jump on the Fourth of July specials. The railroad is offering Independence Day weekend specials July 4-7, including discounts for veterans, free rides for kids and a chance to take a bus from Durango to Silverton then ride the train back to Durango for a discounted price. All specials require online booking, so book your trip beforehand.

Speaking of booking, be sure to book your room at the Durango Quality Inn for your Fourth of July weekend!