The Porches Concierge divulges all her secrets for how and where to get in on all the star-spangled fun.
Steamboat does not mess around when it comes to showing its true colors of red, white, and blue. The Fourth of July is a banner weekend on the summer social calendar with an action-packed long weekend full of can’t-miss events. It also means big crowds, and there is a little strategy involved with how to navigate some of the more popular events. The good news is The Porches shuttle will take you wherever you want to go and you don’t have to worry about parking, which is half the battle. We caught up with Sara, our Porches Concierge, for the inside scoop.
Best place to watch the parade:
Arrive early for the Lion’s Club Pancake Breakfast at Little Toots Park and so you can walk up and down Lincoln Avenue and decide where you want to set up. One of the best places is near the KFMU booth because that’s where they announce the parade. It’s so much fun to hear what all the floats are about, and to learn the stories behind them; bringing the whole experience to life. They usually set up somewhere between 6th and 9th Streets, but it changes every year. If our guests take the shuttle down early they can walk around to get the lay of the land. Biking down to the parade is also a fun option. Just remember to bring plenty of water and a bike lock.
Best local’s event:
The Pioneer Block Party and community concert is immediately following the parade in front of the Tread of Pioneers Museum on 8th and Oak St. Bid as an “old fashioned block party,” there’s a free concert that includes lots of kid’s activities. Free hot dogs, “Routt Beer Floats” (Get it?) and free admission to the museum are all perks of this local happening. It’s a great family event and the perfect place to hang out and let the traffic from the parade die down.
Best place to watch the fireworks:
Steamboat takes its fireworks display extremely seriously. It’s a big production! If you throw a blanket down at the base of Howelsen Hill so you can get right beneath it, it’s the most epic display of fireworks you’ll see anywhere in Colorado. The show is put on by a local, Tim Borden, who makes his own fireworks, and always tries to outdo himself. Just like the parade, if you’re close you can hear narrators talking about the whole event. If you don’t want to be in the middle of all the chaos, you can watch it right from one of our cozy porches or at the Barn which affords a great view. But if you really want the true experience, you want to be at Howelsen. Our shuttles do a nice job of coordinating a pick up that’s out of fray.
Can’t miss event:
Everyone is really pumped about the free concert at the base of Howelsen Hill on Saturday, July 1st from 5:00-9:00 p.m. as part of the Fourth of July celebration and Cowboy Roundup Days. It’s a pretty big deal because Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers is a major act and to be able to see them for free is a pretty big deal! There will be food and drinks served at the show, including beer and alcoholic beverages with Happy Hour (2-for-1) from 5 – 6:30 p.m. Outdoor concerts in summertime is what Steamboat is all about. Don’t miss this one!
Best in-your-backyard-event:
A Porches tradition, we will have an ice cream social and BBQ at The Barn from 12:00-2:00 p.m. on the 4th when everyone gets back from the parade. We’ll serve different flavors of ice cream with all kinds of toppings so the parents can socialize while the kids make a big gooey mess! Wear your best red, white and blue and come enjoy this big ol’ pool party. Best part? It’s right here at your Porches home.
To arrange shuttle transportation or any of your other needs, contact our concierge Sara. She’s happy to help!