Thousands of people are expected to once again gather at
Belleview, Cornerstone and Progress parks and the surrounding area
for the annual July 4 Family Festival and Fireworks activities.
“This has been such a successful event each year that we don’t
plan to make many changes to something that is working so well,”
said Kraig Stovall, Englewood deputy fire chief and one of the
event’s organizers. “Again this year, there will be food vendors,
for-a-fee activities like the climbing wall, as well as free events
like the watermelon-eating contest and, of course the fireworks
finale.”
This is the 15th year communities have joined together to put on
a July 4 celebration. For 2010, contributors and sponsors including
Englewood, Littleton, South Suburban Parks and Recreation District,
Sheridan, Centennial and Arapahoe County.
Belleview, Cornerstone and Progress, the three parks clustered
together that are near the intersection of West Belleview Avenue
and South Windermere Street, are the location for the celebration.
The parks are open all day and people generally begin arriving
early, pick a good spot to watch the fireworks and set up for the
day. But July 4 activities like the games and attractions don't get
under way until about 4 p.m.
One exception is the fishing derby held in the lake at Progress
Park. Sign-up for the event starts at 8 a.m. and the derby runs
from 9 a.m. to noon. Fishing usually is pretty good because the
lake is generally stocked the night before with an abundance of
trout.
Anglers should bring their own gear and those 16 and older are
reminded they must have a valid fishing license to take part in the
event.
However, event-goers are reminded that rules in all three parks
prohibit bringing glass containers of any kind, alcoholic beverages
or setting off any type of fireworks — including sparklers. Police
will be patrolling the park on bikes to enforce the rules.
About 7 p.m. entertainment begins on the stage in Cornerstone
Park featuring the Windjammer Jazz Orchestra.
The day’s activities wrap up about 9:30 p.m. with a countdown
that launches the annual fireworks display. Usually, the display
lasts about 20 minutes
Just like every year, parking is on a first-come, first-parked
basis and close-in spots always are at a premium at Belleview and
Cornerstone parks. Free parking also is available at the Littleton
Service Center, 1800 W. Belleview Ave.
Event-goers are reminded no parting is permitted on the south
side of West Prentice Avenue from Windermere to Hickory Street.
The tentative schedule of events for the parks includes:
Belleview Park, 5001 S. Inca St.
3 to 9 p.m. — Climbing wall pony rides and bounce house (fee
required)
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. — Lions Train and Children’s farm open.
5 to 6 p.m. — Duck races.
6 to 7 p.m. — Watermelon-eating contest.
Cornerstone Park, 5150 S. Windermere St.
10 a.m to 8 p.m. — Colorado Journey Miniature Golf Course (fee
required)
1 to 5 p.m. — Field games for the whole family.
4 to 8 p.m. — sprayground, face painting
4 to 8:30 p.m. — Bounce house , a 66-foot Chinese dragon slide
and obstacle course (fee required)
6 p.m. — Landing by AirLife helicopter.
7 to 9 p.m. — Live music by Windjammers
9:30 p.m. — Fireworks display fired from the baseball field
Progress Park
8 a.m. to noon — Fishing derby (sign-up begins at 7 a.m.)
