2018 Fourth of July in Durango

Durango knows how to do holidays. Most of the time there’s costumes, and there’s almost always a parade — sometimes on Main Avenue, sometimes on the Animas River, sometimes both. But the Fourth of July in Durango involves the best of the best of all holidays: pancakes, parades, costumes, concerts, fireworks and a big, ol’ street dance (except no Santa and no trick-or-treating). So here’s your guide to having the best July 4 in Durango:

Breakfast and Fun Run

Eating and jogging? Don’t worry; there’s plenty of time to digest those pancakes (carb-loading, anyone?) before you set out on the 5k Fun Run/Walk. The All-American Gourmet Breakfast will be served from 7:30-10:30 a.m., and the free all-ages fun run starts at 9 a.m., both at Rotary Park. Arrive by 8:45 a.m. to register for the run. There will also be live music and a reading of historical documents at the park.

July 4 River Parade

Cool off on the Animas River during Mild to Wild Rafting’s 4th of July River Parade! This annual tradition is a parade of rafts filled with crazy-costumed rafters that flows through downtown Durango. The best part is there are five times to either get on the river or watch from the banks: 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Kids get a Fourth of July souvenir, and there’s even a prize for best costume, so be sure to wear your most patriotic getup!

Family Fun Picnic

Next up on the list of things to do for Fourth of FUN? The Family Fun Picnic! Activities kick off at noon at Buckley Park. There, you can listen to readings from our nation’s founding documents, enjoy live entertainment by Cannondolls and Pete Giuliani, and get your fill of killer food and drinks (all proceeds benefit Build Homes for Heroes). There will also be two free concerts at Rotary Park: Southwest Civic Winds’ Concert Band will play at 10:15 a.m. followed by a performance by the Southwest Civic Winds Jaxx Band at 11:30 a.m.

Stars and Stripes Parade

For July 4 in Durango, there’s one event that’s second only to the actual fireworks display to mark the occasion: the annual Stars and Stripes Parade along Main Avenue. The parade starts at 6 p.m. at College Drive and will end at 12th Street.

Street Dance

Immediately after the parade, head over to Main Avenue and 11th for the annual Durango Street Dance. Get you groove on or scoot your boot or whatever kind of dancing (within reason) you want to do during the street dance, which ends just after 9 p.m. Then it’s time for…

Fireworks!

It’s not the Fourth of July in Durango (or anywhere for that matter) without something exploding — preferably fireworks. The show starts at about 9:15 p.m., and you’ll find great views on any downtown cross street facing west.

IndependenTS Week

Not that you’re lacking for things to do in Durango for the Fourth of July, but there’s another type of celebration going on this week: a celebration of our independent businesses. Durango has an amazing community of locally owned businesses that make and sell it all: Breweries tapping their craft beer, artists selling paintings, sculptures and jewelry, chocolatiers selling artisanal chocolates, local wineries pouring their special blends — we could go on and on.

Durango Independents Week will run July 1-7 to celebrate Durango’s spirit of entrepreneurship and community. Local First, a nonprofit that serves local, independent businesses in La Plata County, is the organization behind the local Independents Week as part of the larger, nationwide movement to “recognize the importance of economic democracy and community self-determination.”

So how to you participate? Pick up a Local First Passport on Saturday, June 30, at Local First’s booth at the Durango Farmer’s Market, located in the parking lot of the First National Bank of Durango, or anytime between July 1-7 at Local First, Maria’s Bookshop, Smiley Cafe, ACE Kroegers Hardware, Sante, Wagon Wheel Liquor, Animas Trading Co., Urban Market, The Durango Welcome Center, Habitat for Humanity Re-Store, Salt 360 Float Studio, The Soup Palette, the Spaaah Shop or the La Plata County Humane Society.

For every purchase you make, you get a stamp, and for every five stamps you collect, you’ll be entered to win one of the awesome prizes! Passports must be submitted by Monday, July 9, and winners will be chosen on Wednesday, July 11.

The week of July 4 is the perfect time to visit Durango. Clearly, we have a lot of fun stuff happening, plus all the usual great summer activities: tubing on the Animas, mountain biking, hiking, you name it.

Speaking of supporting local businesses, the Durango Econo Lodge Inn and Suites is under new, local ownership! If you’re looking at Durango hotels for your trip, stay with us! We’re consistently rated one of the best hotels in Durango, so book your room at the Econo Lodge Durango today!

2018 Durango Snowdown

The theme for the 2018 Durango Snowdown is “A Black Tie Affair” — as it should be, considering this year mark’s the 40th anniversary of Colorado’s favorite winter celebration.

Durango Snowdown will be Jan. 31-Feb. 4 and, per usual, will be jam-packed with Snowdown-a-licious activities, nearly all of which are silly, quirky, wacky, crazy and freaky. Just like we like it.

The Snowdown schedule of events is long and varied with activities such as keg cap frisbee golf, cricket darts, snowflake paper art, bicycle roller races, pantyhose bowling, a scavenger hunt, beard competition and more. The list is so long and so cuckoo bananas, we can’t possibly go through it all here, but we can give you some highlights:

Snowdown Fashion Do’s and Don’ts

Wednesday, Jan. 31, Noon-1:45 p.m.

New this year, Snowdown Fashion Do’s and Don’ts is an adults-only (but not X-rated) costume fashion show that  showcase why USA Today named Durango the “Worst Dressed Community!” Doors open at 11:15 a.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres to start, and the meal will be served at noon. The fashion show begins at 12:30 and ends at 1:40 at which point everyone returns (mostly sober) to their day jobs. Models won’t be the only one in costume; guests should wear their wackiest finest for a chance to win a prize.

Snowdown Parade, Dinner and Firework

Friday, Feb. 2

4 -10 p.m. The Snowdown Parade Dinner will be dished up at the Durango Elks Lodge at 901 E. Second Ave. (entrance is on Ninth Street). Stop by before, during or after the Snowdown parade to fill up on vittles, er, “fine dining” for this black-tie affair. Dinner includes spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, salad, drinks and a cash bar as well as prizes for the best costume.

6 p.m. — It’s time for the famous Snowdown firework — noteht lack of an “s” because it’s singualar. The solo Snowdown firework will explode around dusk and mark the start of the Snowdown light parade.

6 p.m. — The Snowdown Light Parade marches along Main Avenue from College Drive to 12th Street. Black Tie Affair-themed lighted floats dazzle as they drive down the Main drag, competing for trophies in 10 divisions with special emphasis on the theme and use of lights.

7:30 p.m. — Snowdown Follies is a classic Snowdown staple that will return for the 35th year. This Vaudevillian variety show is always irreverent and eternally funny with local characters performing and providing commentary. The Follies will take the stage simulatenously at two theaters: the Henry Strater Theatre , 699 Main in the Strater Hotel, and at the Durango Arts Center Theatre , 802 E. Second Ave. There will be a cash bar to help ensure the audience likes the show!

Snowdown is a great time to visit Durango. The entire town is buzzing with fun and funny stuff; every which way you turn is another wack-a-doo thing to do. Stay with us at the Durango Econo Lodge Inn and Suites while you’re taking in all that Durango Snowdown has to offer! We’re fun and wacky, too, but in only in all the good ways.

New Year’s in Durango

There are two types of people in this world: Those who go out on New Year’s Eve, and those who don’t. Oversimplification? Sure, but sums it up pretty nicely, no? Extroverts vs. introverts, homebodies vs. party animals — you get the gist.

For those who don’t want to miss all the action, there are plenty of things to do in Durango on New Year’s Eve. And for those who want to stay home, warm and cozy to watch the ball drop, there’s plenty to in Durango on New Year’s Day.

Purgatory Resort

Purgatory Resort knows how to party on New Year’s Eve. The resort is offering several New Year’s Eve dining options, including a New Year’s Eve dinner at Hoody’s; pizza at Paradise Pizzeria along with all the New York City New Year’s festivities on the big screen; and extended dining and bar hours at Purgy’s, where the party will continue with Durango bluegrass band The Outskirts playing until 1 a.m.

For something super duper special, you can also reserve a spot for the Snowcat dinner. Ride in a Snowcat from the base area to Powderhouse Restaurant to enjoy a five-course dinner with wine pairings.

Purgatory’s signature NYE event, though, is the torchlight parade and fireworks show. The resort’s entire ski school lights up the slopes as they ski down the mountain carrying torchlights. When the parade arrives at the base area, it’s time to light up the sky with a fireworks show!

After the fireworks, catch another show: the New Year’s Eve Night Rail Jam. The area’s best talent will showcase their skills under the lights at DC terrain park.

On both New Year’s Eve afternoon and again on New Year’s Day, guests can also take a Snowcat tour — sans dinner but plus hot cocoa and sweeping views.

The best part? Purgatory is offering a free shuttle to and from Durango daily during select times from 9:30 a.m. to 5:10 p.m. through Jan. 7. The resort shuttle will run from Purgatory Plaza to the heart of downtown Durango and from downtown Durango to Purgatory.

Strater Hotel Dinner and Music

Mahogany Grill located in the Strater Hotel is something of an institution when it comes to holiday dinners, and New Year’s Eve is no exception, except for the exceptional holiday spread the restaurant will be serving from 5-9 p.m.

After you’ve had your fill, simply walks a few steps to Diamond Belle Saloon or the The Office Spiritorium, both located in the hotel, for a drink (or two or more) and some live music.

New Year’s Day Brunch Train

Hop aboard the Durango train to enjoy the New Year’s Day Brunch Train. The Durango & Silverton steam-powered train will huff and puff along the rails as passengers enjoy a hot brunch buffet, live music and winter-white scenery sliding past the windows. Premium Class tickets include a catered hot brunch that features a yogurt bar, Belgian waffles, skillet scrambles and plenty more as well as free non-alcoholic drinks and live music. Standard class tickets don’t include brunch, but passengers will have access to the concession car.

During a 45-minute stop at Cascade Canyon wye, passengers can disembark to take a stroll to the footbridge and then warm up by the stone fireplace — or they can choose to stay warm and comfy in their cars.

Durango Hotels

If you’re looking for Durango hotels for your long New Year’s weekend in Durango, stay with us at the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Durango near downtown Durango. We’re located on Main Avenue, just a few blocks from the hub of downtown, and Purgatory is a straight shot north of us. Warm up by the fireplace in our newly renovated lobby! Book your holiday stay with the Econo Lodge Durango today.