Fourth of July Fireworks and Skiing in Steamboat Springs

Fireworks, cowboys and a good ol' time

I love Steamboat on the Fourth of July. We have it all, pancake breakfast, children’s bicycle parade, a real cattle drive right through downtown and of course ski jumping.

Those of you have been here in winter Steamboat’s other name, Ski Town, USA and maybe you also know that the local Winter Sports Club has produced over 70 Olympians. Well there is a reason for that.

Celebrate your Independence with ski jumping!

In Steamboat, skiing is not just a winter sport. We practice year round and on the Fourth of July, Howelsen Hill Ski Area hosts a Nordic ski jumping competition. No snow needed, 80 degrees and sunny will do just fine!

Now I admit that I moved to Steamboat for the winters. I am a ski bum at heart and proud of it but as you will hear the locals say “I may have come to Steamboat for the winter but I stayed for the summers!” It’s true and one of my favorite things about summer is July 4th and Steamboat Springs is the best place on earth to be for it. I know! It’s my birthday and I consider myself an Independence Day celebration connoisseur. And in Steamboat, it’s not your average small town celebration. It is over the top!

Click photo for video footage!

I may be from Boston but I have always had a secret passion for all things cowboy. My first Fourth of July in Steamboat, I thought I had died and gone to Heaven. Officially it is called the Annual Cowboys Round Up Days and July 4th Celebration. Northwest Colorado is ranching country and Steamboat Springs is no exception. Lincoln Avenue, the street that runs through down town was actually constructed wider than usual so local ranchers could drive cattle down it. And every year on the 4th, Saddleback Ranch drives 100 pair of cattle right down Lincoln to commemorate our ranching history. And it is really something to see!

The cattle drive ends at the rodeo grounds (Did you know Steamboat has a rodeo arena downtown?) where the cattle take part in the Ranch Horse Competition and Rodeo where local cowboys compete against each other for bragging rights.

The calf scamble is highly entertaining

The rodeo fun doesn’t end there. The Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo series takes place every weekend during the summer but on the Fourth of July is a special evening featuring the best cowboys and the baddest bulls and broncos. And for the kids there is the Calf Scramble where kids 12 and under chase a calf around the arena to grab a ribbon off its tail and win a prize. It is just the cutest thing you’ll ever see. I only wish they had this event for adults!

It’s not all skiing and cowboys; the weekend is filled with cool events.

There is the Pioneer Days block party, with free Routt Beer Floats;  the Yampa River on that weekend becomes one big tubing party, and the grand finale of course is the Fireworks Extravaganza. And it really is an unforgettable display, no idle boast!

Steamboat may be a small town but we can boast one of the biggest (and definitely the best) fireworks display in the state. We know our fireworks in this town.

A scene you will not soon forget!

Father and son duo, Tim and Scott Borden, are the local pyrotechnic experts. Their skill, sponsorship, and team of volunteers allow our little resort to put on a huge fireworks show that rivals any other around. When asked by the local newspaper, Why all the money and trouble? Tim Borden simply said, “I like this town.”

I know exactly what he means. I can’t think of any other place I would rather spend my birthday….really. You are just going to have to come see for yourself. We can help you find a Steamboat vacation home where you can rest and recover from all the events and activities! - Donna