Durango celebrates the Fourth of July with food, music, races, rodeos, fireworks, dancing and other shenanigans!

Schedule of Events

8:00 am to 12:00 pm: Durango Farmer's Market at TBK Bank Parking Lot

Get your farm-fresh-fix strolling through the “streets” of the Durango Farmer's Market. Fresh flowers? A coffee and pastry for your walk? Take your time deciding which of the amazing vegetables, organic meat, and beautifully made crafts you want. Or sit and visit while listening to local musicians. The Farmer's Market is the hot spot on Saturday mornings, in a relaxed, friendly way. Vendors take time to tell you about their farms and how their produce is grown. Durango Farmer's Market- Supporting local farmers: the coolest trend around. This event is free to attend. Purchase your own goodies at all the booths!

12:00 – 9:00 pm: Animus on the Animas, 2nd Annual Durango Boxing Competition at East 10th Street

The Good Fight Boxing Gym presents a USA Boxing -sanctioned amateur showcase – bringing the sport of boxing to Durango! Approximately 20 bouts will be fought during the day, drawing USA Boxing athletes, coaches, and families from multiple states. New to boxing? Join us at East 10th Street under the Jack Dempsey Mural where a full-size boxing ring is erected to showcase boxers of all ages and backgrounds. Proceeds from the event will support The Good Fight Scholarship Fund. Ticket price: $25 for ages 8 and up. Children under 7 are free.

1:30 pm: Oscar's Pie Eating Contest - Durango Beer & Ice

If you've eaten at Oscar's Café here in Durango, then you've seen the HUGE pies behind the counter. (And if you haven't eaten there, you should.) Oscar's Café is supplying the pies, and Durango Beer & Ice Company is supplying the venue for a pie-eating contest at 1:30 pm on Saturday, July 5. For spectators we suggest a nice lunch and a beer at Durango Beer & Ice Company (3000 Main Avenue) before watching the shenanigans. Contestants – we suggest you save room for the pie! Twelve pies, twelve contestants. 1st, 2nd & 3rd place prizes. Competitors must be 15 years or older. Competitors under 18 need a parent or guardian's consent. All competitors must sign a waiver and should arrive by 1:10 pm. This event is free to spectate and free to enter.

4:00 - 6:00 pm: Watermelon Eating Contest at 11th Street Station

It's not summer until you have had watermelon! Join us at 4:00 pm to watch – or compete – in the watermelon eating contest sponsored by 11th Street Station and the Durango Business Improvement District. Eight contestants will be accepted for each of the three age categories – at 4:00 pm Ages 6 & under, at 4:30 pm Ages 7 to 15, and at 5:00 pm ages 16 & older. Prizes for 1st & 2nd Places. Early registration is strongly encouraged! Registration will end when all 8 spots per category are claimed or 15 minutes before the start for that age range, when all competitors must be present for check-in. Contestants under 18 years need a parent or guardian's consent. This event is free to spectate. To register in advance, send the following information to [email protected] – first and last name, age, phone and email.

5:00 – 7:00 pm: Ice Cream Social at VFW Post 4031

Stroll down the Animas River Trail and stop at Rotary Park for an evening dinner and concert. The VFH Hall is hosting an Ice Cream Social in conjunction with the Southwest Civic Winds Jazz Concert.

Prices: $3 Hot dog, $1 Chips, $1 Soda, and $2 Per scoop of ice cream.

6:30 – 8:00 pm: Southwest Civic Winds Concert and Dancing at Rotary Park

Wear your dancing shoes! Buy your dinner and dessert at the VFW Hall and walk across the lane to Rotary Park to enjoy the Civic Winds Jazz Orchestra. Dance the evening away to classic jazz hits, "superhero" swing music, and more! Be sure to bring a chair or a blanket to the park and enjoy an evening concert by the river. This event is free. Click here to learn more about Southwest Civic Winds.

7:00 pm: Red, White & Bulls: Pro Bull Fighting at La Plata County Fairgrounds

It's a dance of danger. Professional bull fighters in the ring with 1200-1600 pound ornery animals. Freestyle bullfighting is a style developed in American rodeo by rodeo clowns who protect bull riders from the bull. Watch these professionals as they engage with the bulls. And then dance in the dirt with the Shari Rowe Band after the action! Ticket price: $35 and up – see the website. Gates open at 5:00 pm, with a variety of dinner and beverage options. Event starts at 7:00 pm.