Breckenridge Fourth of July

I can’t think of anywhere more spectacular to be during the Fourth of July than Breckenridge. I’ve spent the holiday in Chicago, in airplanes watching fireworks sparkle over the suburbs of major cities, in St. Louis on a riverboat, in Wisconsin on a lake and plenty of other places, but I think watching fireworks near your Breckenridge vacation rental beats them all!

For one thing, the temperatures are mild and dry, rather than hot and sticky. For another, Breckenridge — and all of the towns and resorts in Summit County for that matter — doesn’t just orchestrate a fireworks display set to music. It celebrates with festivities all day — and sometimes all weekend — long.

Breckenridge is the first town in Summit County out of the gate to start Fourth of July events. It begins with Breckenridge Recreation Department’s Independence Day 10K trail race at Carter Park (remember, that’s one of Breckenridge’s best parks).

Then, Blue River Plaza, located about halfway down Main Street near the Riverwalk Center, hosts kids’ concessions and amusement.

Anyone staying in Breckenridge lodging can reserve a seat at the quaint Garden Party Brunch on the historic Barney Ford House Museum lawn.

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. was the July Art Festival. This annual show is ranked as one of the top shows in the nation. More than 100 high-quality artists showed their work — including paintings, metal works, woodcarvings, glass, ceramics, sculpture, photography and jewelry — at Main Street Station, at the south end of Breckenridge.

At 11 a.m., the Firecracker 50 Bike Race began on Main Street and climbed 12,000 vertical feet. The energetic riders actually lead the parade on Main Street, which is always a crowd pleaser. This parade is like none other -- rather than bands leading the way with music, the streets flow with everything from locals soaking in hot tubs on a trailer bed to belly dancers!

After the parade the town presents an afternoon of free music. Internationally acclaimed jazz saxophonist Nelson Rangell performed the first of four free concerts that day at the Riverwalk Center. Rangell was a child prodigy, who, by the age of 19, was playing alongside some of the greatest contemporary jazz musicians in the nation. He continues to grow and let his music evolve, always with an eye on creating music that’s easy and pleasing to the ear.

Dotsero followed Rangell. A jazz group known for its energy and spontaneous stage antics — including walking into the Maggie Pond fully dressed and blowing their horns at Breckenridge’s Genuine Jazz Festival — it’s no wonder their name means “something unique.”

Later on, 50 a cappella voices filled the Riverwalk as Jubilate! Sacred Singers took the stage. Their name means “shout for joy,” and though their mission is to glorify God through music, their sound reaches well beyond any religious denomination. They sing a diverse repertoire, including classic hymns, folk songs, patriotic tunes and contemporary music. Their performances have taken them from hospices to Carnegie Hall.

The last performance took place at 8:30 p.m., an hour before fireworks, by the National Repertory Orchestra. The buzz around town is that these young musicians comprise one of the best, and most professional, groups to come to Breckenridge so far. Conductor Carl Topilow hand-selected the 87 graduate and college students after traveling nationwide and listening to hundreds of auditions.

The festivities culminate with fireworks in Breckenridge, and they are absolutely amazing, as they illuminate the remnants of snow remaining on the peaks. KSMT (102.1 FM) plays choreographed music during the show. Guests can watch fireworks from the Blue River Plaza, outside of the Riverwalk Center, or simply stay at or near their Breckenridge vacation rental to watch the fantastic display.