# data[].attributes.body
Use the Elements of Design to create something fun and visually eye-catching.

Think about how to use line, shape, and value to create fun and interesting patterns on your costumes or floats.

# data[].attributes.body
Details of the events

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Four Days of the Fourth!

Thursday, July 3 through Sunday July 6, 2025

Durango celebrates the Fourth of July with food, music, races, rodeos, fireworks, dancing and other shenanigans! Over 30 events are scheduled for four days, from July 3 to July 6 for locals and visitors to enjoy. Put on your red, white, and blue and join us!

Wet & Wild! 4th of July Parade on Main Avenue 4:30 pm - 5:15 pm

Line up early on Main Avenue for the annual 4 th of July Parade. The theme this year is Wet & Wild. Certain blocks on Main Avenue will be designated a "Wet Zone!" Expect some imaginative floats as well as bands, singers, cyclists, fire engines and more. The Parade starts at College (6 th Street) and Main Avenue at 4:30 pm and ends at 12th Street and Buckley Park. Bring a small American flag to waive and stand at attention when the VFW Color Guard passes by. Judges and announcers will be on the 800 block of Main by the Main Mall. This event is free to spectate. $5 entry fee for parade floats. Prizes include $300 for first place, $200 for second place, and $100 for third place. Select for the July 4, 2025 Parade Entry Application along with other information and inspiration for your floats.

Float builders!

Join us for a float building and costume workshop at La Plata County Fairgrounds on Sunday, June 22nd from 12:00 - 6:00 pm. For more information, contact Ellen Babers for more information at 970-375-7325.

Parade Art Challenge Funding - Application

Visit Durango and City of Durango challenge residents to up their game on parade entries! Apply for $300 to use towards costumes and/or float construction/decorations. Seven applicants will be chosen and awarded $300 each. Applications open to any organization, business, or family located in La Plata County. Deadline to apply is Friday, June 6, 2025 by 11:59 pm. For more information please download this PDF

Friday, July 4, 2025

DEVO Kids Bicycle Obstacle Course

Buckley Park 1:00 - 2:00 pm

Friday, July 4, 2025

Children's Parade

Buckley Park 3:00 pm

A parade just for kids! All kids ages 10 and under and their parents may participate in this Red, White, and Blue extravaganza! Decorated bikes and wagons welcome to join kids in costumes. The parade lines up on the corner of 12th Street and Main Avenue. The parade proceeds north on Main Avenue to 13th Street and returns to 12th Street. Awards presented for Most Creative and Best in Show! Join us to watch these kids strut their stuff! This event is free and registration is from 2:30 - 2:45 pm, prior to the parade line-up.

Friday, July 4, 2025

Main Avenue Mile

Buckley Park 4:00 pm

Are you the fastest of the Fast?! Claim your title in the inaugural Main Avenue Mile Race.

Distance: "Yes, it is 1 mile!"

Course: 12th Street south to College Drive and return to 12th Street.

4th of July Parade - Wet & Wild!

Main Avenue 4:30 pm - 5:15 pm

Line up early on Main Avenue for the annual 4 th of July Parade. The theme this year is Wet & Wild! Want to get wet? The 10th block on Main Avenue will be the wet zone! Expect some imaginative floats as well as bands, singers, cyclists, horses, fire engines and more. The Parade starts at College (6 th Street) and Main Avenue at 4:30 pm and ends at 12th Street and Buckley Park. Bring a small American flag to waive and stand at attention when the VFW Color Guard passes by. Judges and announcers will be on the 800 block of Main by the Main Mall. This event is free to spectate. $5 entry fee for parade floats. Click here for information on entering the parade and inspiration for your floats.

Saturday, July 5, 2025

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

Do you LOVE watermelon? Show us how much at the 11 th Street Station Watermelon Eating Contest on Saturday July 5 from 4 to 6 pm at 1101 Main Ave. This is a tournament-style contest with three age groups - 6 and under, 7 to 15, and 16 and older. A max of 8 entrants will be accepted for the 6 and under category, and a max of 16 for the 7 to 15 and 16+ groups. The winners of each match will be determined by weighing how much watermelon remains. Prizes for 1 st and 2 nd place. One winner in the 16+ category ate 9.5 lbs!!!

Saturday, July 5, 2025

Ice Cream Social

VFW Post 4031 5:00 - 7:00 pm

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 Ice cream.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Gourmet Breakfast, Freedom 5K walk/run, concerts, parade, dance, live entertainment,and fireworks, beer gardens, bands, and kid activities

# data[].attributes.body
From concept to production

1. Start with an IDEA that fits the Wet & Wild Theme

2. Scale your idea, to fit your resources

Are you making a costume?

Are you building a float, if so, on what type of structure or vehicle will you build upon?

3. Find your resources/materials

Before you buy anything, look around your residence or office spaces. Think about recycled materials, old sheets, or fabrics, repurposed garments or seasonal decorations.

Many hands make quick work

1. Recruit friends and family to help the vision come to life!

2. The more people the more ideas (and hands) you have to achieve the vision.

3. Everyone who contributes will bring their pride and enthusiasm to the parade, creating an exciting atmosphere for attendees and participants alike.

# data[].attributes.body
Waterfowl

# data[].attributes.body
In the water, the Wild Things Are

# data[].attributes.body
Pop Culture Characters

# data[].attributes.body
There are many videos and online resources for mastering the Elements of Design, here is one quick one.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Greyson Enterprises | Business Consulting + Design

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Crash Course: Elements and Principles of Design (Part 1)

# data[].attributes.body
Water Droplets

Water Sports

Water Slides

Water is Life

Waves

Bubbles

Bubble Machines

Large Bubbles, using Hula-hoops

Waves

School of Fish

Water fowl

Boats

Row boats

Paddles Boat

Jaws

Poseidon

Rafts

"Slippery When Wet" Sign

Inner-tubes

Mermaids and Mermen

Go Fish!

Wild Flowers

Where the Wild Things Are

Gilligan's Island

Life Aquatic

Water World

Pirates

Popeye

Vikings

Water Bottles

Surfing

Rain Cloud

Jelly Fish

Seahorses

H2O (Molecule structure)

Water is Life

# data[].attributes.body
Reward your creativity!