Celebrating Independence in Leadville Today

An Old-Fashioned 4th of July

Have you got your Fourth of July plans figured out?  For some, there are holiday traditions that happen every year on Independence Day: the family BBQ and fireworks, the yearly campout at Halfmoon, or the annual Firecracker 5k Run. And more likely, all of it!

However, if you’re spending America’s birthday in America’s highest city, then you’re in for a treat because Leadville is known for its small-town 4th of July Celebration. Beat the huge crowds and celebrate in an old-fashioned manner at two-miles-high! Here is some Independence Day #newsyoucanuse from Leadville Today

Thursday, July 4

• 8:30 a.m. – Firecracker 5K. This fun community event usually has folks dressed in their most patriotic attire as racers walk or run the 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) course which does a small loop through town, ending where it begins at the Lake County courthouse on historic Harrison Avenue. Cost is $15. Participants can pre-register online, at Melanzana, 716 Harrison Ave. or on race day registration on courthouse lawn from 7 – 8 a.m. Race start is 8:30 a.m. Proceeds support nonprofit Leadville/Lake County Sports Hall of Fame and Skyline Baseball.
• 10 a.m. – July 4th Parade. Sponsored by the Leadville/Lake County Chamber of Commerce, this old-fashioned parade will sparkle with hometown pride!  Participants can line up beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the top of Capitol Hill and the parade will proceed down Harrison Ave. at 10 a.m. with Leadville’s finest all decked out in their red, white & blue!

• Afternoon BBQs – Since the airport runway is under rehabilitation/construction there will not be a July 4th BBQ again this year. However, there are plenty of local restaurants to choose from and with the late start to summer, any of these tax-paying establishments would appreciate any coin you can spend with them. Celebrate Independence Day by supporting the spirit of the American small business owner!
• Dusk -The Tony Hren Memorial Fireworks display sponsored by the Leadville Lions Club will begin at dusk. The recommended place to watch the fireworks is the Lake County High School football field, or make a night of it with green chili and margaritas on The Grill’s patio, the Pastime Bar & Café’s deck has lots of seating and great view of fireworks with mountains in background, or the rooftop from the Treeline Kitchen located on historic Harrison Avenue. Happy Independence Day!
  

  There’s something extra special about fireworks at 10,200 feet! Thanks to The Leadville Lions Club for putting on the show and Leadville Today reader Kelsey Conine for this spectacular photo!

Friday, July 5

4:30 p.m. – Devils Tail BBQ Train. This Friday, July 5, a special Leadville, Colorado and Southern Railroad trip will depart for one of three of its special BBQ rides offered this season. The Devils Tail BBQ Special takes riders up, up, up the Arkansas River Valley as the sun begins to set over the two highest peaks in Colorado. All along the ride while soaking in the views, guests will be treated to some award-winning barbeque and brews (or wine) from its expanded spirits offering this year. This ride usually sells out, so to make your reservation, log on to the Leadville railroad website.

Race Series 50-Milers This Weekend

Up next on the local race circuit are the 50-mile races for the Leadville Race Series. As a result, there will be increased traffic in and around Dutch Henri Hill (below CMC) and up throughout the east side’s California Gulch Mining District’s.

This Saturday and Sunday, July 6 & 7 Lifetime hosts the Silver Rush 50-mile race events, part of the Leadville Race Series (LRS).   According to the LRS website, it looks like the run is SOLD OUT but there’s still room if you want to take on the 50-mile MTB on Sunday – or check out this year’s addition to the 50-weekend series, the 15.5-mile components!

Join the fun at the Firecracker 5K on Thursday, July 4th which starts at the courthouse at 8:30 a.m. and heads west on 5th Street!

First up is the Silver Rush 50 Run on Saturday, July 6 takes on 50 miles of extreme territory that starts at 10,200 feet and reaches 12,000 feet on four separate occasions. It leaves runners’ lungs burning, hearts pounding and eyes mesmerized at the amazing Rocky Mountain scenery. The Silver Rush 50 not only prepares racers for the pinnacle Leadville Trail 100 Run on Aug. 17 & 18, 2019 but also provides bragging rights for conquering one of the toughest 50-milers in the country. New this year is a 15.5-mile run

Then the wheels will get spinning on Sunday, July 7 with the Silver Rush 50 Mountain Bike Race. It’s a 50-mile out-and-back course taking racers through the historic mining district on the east side of Leadville. The Silver Rush 50 also serves as a qualifying event for the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race on Aug. 10, 2019. Silver Rush 50 participants can have their starting corral position boosted for the Leadville 100 MTB event if they finish in a certain timeframe as well.

New to 2019, the Silver Rush 50 weekend will be adding a 15.5-mile MTB race on Sunday, July 7 at 8:30 a.m. This race will start and finish on the same course as the Stages Cycling Silver Rush 50 MTB, but will feature mostly single track for the 15.5 miles. This race provides an excellent entry option into mountain bike racing and will, of course, be accompanied by the tremendous Leadville views along the way.

Find additional information at www.leadvilleraceseries.com