Here are the 5 reasons Steamboat is the best destination for the 4th of July:

See? We knew we could prove our point. We always have a blast here in the ‘boat. We all know how to celebrate our freedom. (Oh, and by the way, we didn’t even mention the incredible fireworks show that happens after the rodeo on the 4th).

There’s so much to do in Steamboat, we decided to make life a little bit easier for you: Here is a calendar of events:

9am – 2pm: Farmer’s Market put on by MainStreet is held on 6th street next to the courthouse. Our farmer’s market boasts more than 75 local vendors, and live music from 11am to 1pm.
10am – 4pm: 12th Annual Art on the Mountain. This event takes place in Gondola Square. Local artists display their artwork out in the open air!

7:30pm: Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series. The rodeo grounds are at the Romick Arena (at the base of the small mountain – Howelsen Hill). If you’ve never seen a rodeo, you are in for a real treat. There’s no better way to get acquainted with the west than at a pro rodeo that has roping, bull and bronc riding, barrel racing and clowns!

10am – 4pm: 12th Annual Art on the Mountain – Gondola Square. if you missed the art display, make sure you stop by!

6pm: Open Water Swim Series at Bald Eagle Lake. If you like open water swimming, then this race is for you. Held every Monday evening in July at Bald Eagle Lake (just south of Steamboat), you can choose to swim a half mile or one mile.

7-10am: Pancake Breakfast: Steamboat Springs Lions Club – Little Toots Park. If you’re going to have a good time partying, then you’ll need to start the day off with a square meal. Stop by the park for some pancakes and good company! All the proceeds from this buffet stay local!
8am – 1pm: Petting Zoo sponsored by KBCR – 9th Street between Lincoln and Oak Street. A petting zoo is perfect for children of all ages (even the ones who don’t want to admit they love petting zoos).

9:30am: 6th Annual Cross Country/Nordic Combined Roller Ski Race – Lincoln Avenue. Competitors will race down Lincoln Avenue on rollers instead of skis (in the summer, nordic combined athletes still need to practice, so they use rollers!)

9:40am: 21st Annual Steamboat Sprint – Lincoln Avenue. Main Street really is the place to be on 4th of July.
10am: Fourth of July Parade – Main Street – Presented by the Yampa Valley Bank. Watch the floats go by and hope you don’t get sprayed by a parade float as they go by. Score a spot by Lightning – it’s a treasured spot!
11am – 1pm: Pioneer Day Block Party, featuring a free concert, Routt Beer Floats, free hot dogs, free admission to the museum, kids activies and more – Tread of Pioneers Museum. Now, this is a real treat. What is more American than a root beer float and hot dogs?

12:30pm: Independence Day Ski Jumping Extravaganza, Nordic Combined competition – Howelsen Hill. Why, yes – there is ski jumping all-year-round in Ski Town USA. It really doesn’t get much better than watching a winter sport in the summer sun!

6:30pm: Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series – Romick Arena
9pm: Fireworks Show at Howelsen Hill. We won’t spoil the show for you, but we’ll give you a hint: Steamboat goes all out for our fireworks.

There – I’m sure we proved that Steamboat is the best destination for the 4th of July. No one can argue with such a great calendar of events!