By SCOTT HARRISON
s.harrison@krdo.com
FORT CARSON - Because budget concerns canceled this year's annual 4th of July fireworks show in Memorial Park, the city and Fort Carson have teamed up to offer a celebration on the Mountain Post Friday evening, starting at 4 p.m.
The celebration--titled "Rocking the Rockies--will be held in Iron Horse Park. The celebration features family activities, food vendors, and entertainment from Ricky and the Radios and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. The fireworks show is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. Officials say if weather threatens, they will notify the public and hope any rain blows over. Officials expect the crowd to be twice as large as usual.
Visitors will park in designated lots and ride shuttle buses to the park. You must bring a valid state- or government-issued ID, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. Be prepared for a vehicle search. If you don't have a military registration decal, you must enter only through gates 1 (main gate), 4 (South Academy Boulevard) and 20 (Fountain). No glass bottles or firearms are allowed, and only service pets may enter.
Other holiday events for the public this weekend include a celebration at the Air Force Academy at 5 p.m. Saturday. Visitors must enter through the North Gate, and park at the Cadet Field House. Paid activities are available for entertainment, and food and drink will be sold. The fireworks show is scheduled to start at 9:30 p.m., but may be canceled if there's bad weather. Coolers, barbecue grills and non-service pets are not allowed. Academy officials expect a large crowd, and ask visitors to carpool.
Click on the 4th of July banner of our website for more details on area events.
