Hey there. We missed you last week. Life happened, and the issue we built never quite made it to your inbox. But we're back in the saddle! And the timing is perfect. Exactly a year ago today, the first NOCO Word went out on the Fourth of July. It was called Red, White & Woohoo, and we honestly had no idea whether anyone would read past the first line! But you did, and this little project has grown into something we look forward to every single week, entirely because of you.
To the folks who read every line, the ones who send in hidden gems, the local businesses keeping us going, and every single member of this stellar NOCO Crew: thank you. Thank you for choosing to connect, to notice, and to build this community with us. It has been a truly incredible first year.
So, for this anniversary issue, we are keeping things simple, grounded, and useful. We've mapped out the fireworks, the family festivals, and the main street parades town by town, from the canyon roots to the eastern plains.
Grab a coffee, lock in a good seat for the booms, and let’s dig into year two together.
– Megan
1776 in the Valley of the Wild Horse
While church bells were ringing out in Philadelphia and ink was drying on the parchment of this brand-new nation, our particular slice of the world had a much more natural and wild rhythm.
In July 1776, the grounds of Fort Collins, Loveland, and Greeley didn't have fences, town lines, or state boundaries. It was a vast, open landscape dominated by tough high-plains buffalo grass, the jagged wall of the Front Range, and two vital river corridors: the Cache la Poudre, known to the Arapaho as Xouu Niicee (the ‘Tallow River’ or ‘Game Bag’), and the Big Thompson, called the ‘Pipe River,’ prized for the red stones used to carve ceremonial pipes.
If you stood on the wind-scoured bluffs of north Greeley or walked across the sun-baked prairie where Old Town Fort Collins sits today, exactly 250 years ago, here is what you would have seen:
The Crossroads of Nations
Long before the fur trappers or the railroad crews arrived, Northern Colorado was a vibrant, deeply utilized homeland. It was the shared territory of the Arapaho and Cheyenne nations, who tracked the seasonal movements of massive bison herds astride thundering bands of feral horses — descended from 16th-century Spanish explorers — fully integrated into the daily rhythms of these tribes. In the summer heat of July, families followed the mountain breezes up these river channels westward to escape into the cooler canyon floors and foothills. To the west, across the Continental Divide, the Ute people maintained their ancient mountain camps, turning the hogbacks and canyons into a crossroads for different tribal nations.
The True Kings of the Footprint
The wildlife numbers of 1776 read like a myth today. The plains of Weld County were thick with thousands of free-ranging bison, their heavy hooves maintaining the health of the high-desert arid steppe. Elk — which we think of purely as mountain animals today — proudly roamed the open valley floors alongside wolves, grizzly bears, and massive herds of pronghorn antelope. Down in the river bottomlands, cottonwood groves grew wild and unmanaged, filled with beaver dams that naturally pooled the mountain runoff and kept the valley lush, long before anyone ever dug an irrigation ditch.
The Spanish Claim on Paper Only
In 1776, Northern Colorado didn’t belong to anyone who actually lived here. Geopolitically, the Spanish Empire claimed this land. But, because our rivers drain into the Platte Basin, not the Rio Grande, distant administrators mapped this footprint as Spanish Louisiana — a sprawling territory Spain had only just acquired from France in 1762 — rather than the New Mexico territory governed out of Santa Fe. On the ground, of course, none of that mattered. French fur trappers had only just begun whispering about these valleys, the first frontier trading posts were still decades off, and Northern Colorado remained a sovereign, self-sustaining wild ecosystem, answering to no one.
So this weekend, when you hear the professional fireworks echo off the foothills or watch a parade roll down a modern main street, take a second to listen to the wind. It’s the same native wind that blew through the valley turf a quarter-millennium ago, carrying the memory of a wild, unpaved paradise that still defines the soul of the NOCO we love.
The Fourth Across NOCO
This is your master guide to the holiday weekend. Here is where to find the parades, the food trucks, and the big sky booms across our footprint, town by town:
Greeley
The Event: The Greeley Stampede Finale
What’s going on: The Stampede closes out its massive summer run on the Fourth of July. Start the morning with what’s billed as Colorado's largest Independence Day parade, then settle in for a massive fireworks display over Island Grove after dark. Pro Tip: You can catch a great view from almost anywhere in north Greeley without a ticket. The grounds stay loud right to the finish line, featuring Dierks Bentley on Friday night (July 3rd) and the legendary demolition derby wrapping it all up on Sunday, July 5th.
The Deets: Times and details at greeleystampede.org
Fort Collins
The Event: City Park Fourth of July Celebration
What’s going on: The classic city celebration returns to City Park. Lace up early for the FireKracker 5k, catch the morning parade rolling down Mountain Avenue, and spend the day by Sheldon Lake with family activities spread across the park. The main event launches over the water with a massive professional fireworks finale at dusk.
The Deets: Festivities run all day; fireworks kick off around 9:30 PM. Details at fortcollins.gov/july4th
Loveland
The Event: July 4th Festival at Lake Loveland
What’s going on: The big news this year is that the fireworks are officially back over the water after a year off! Settle in at North Lake Park for an all-day festival featuring the Lions Club barbecue, food trucks, and a kids' zone. The Loveland Concert Band plays a live set at the Hammond Amphitheater just before the big show launches over the north shore.
The Deets: Lions Club BBQ from 11 AM to 5 PM; band at 8 PM; fireworks launch at approximately 9:17 PM. Full info at cityofloveland.org/july4th
Estes Park
The Event: Go 4th Festival & Mountain Fireworks
What’s going on: For one of the most stunning backdrops in the entire state, head up the canyon and claim a patch of grass along Lake Estes. Their massive mountain display will send nearly 2,000 shells reflecting off the water for an unhurried, breathtaking high-country holiday tradition.
The Deets: Find a spot early; the grand show lights up the peaks starting around 9:30 PM. Guides at visitestespark.com
Update! Fireworks show looks to be postponed due to wildfire conditions. Check before you plan!
Windsor
The Event: Four on the 4th Lake Festival
What’s going on: Boardwalk Park at Windsor Lake is hosting a full day of family-focused activities, lakeside food trucks, and live music. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and watch the colors burst right over the water.
The Deets: All-day park events finish with fireworks at dusk. Check timings via Windsor Parks and Rec at windsorgov.com/parksrec
Timnath
The Event: 4th of July Celebration at the Reservoir
What’s going on: If you're looking for an easygoing, community-centered evening, head out to the Timnath Reservoir. Local food trucks line up early, live music fills the grass, and a beautiful fireworks display over the water closes out the night.
The Deets: Gates, food trucks, and music kick off around 6 PM, with fireworks at dark. Savelys at timnath.org
Firestone
The Event: 4th at Firestone
What’s going on: A massive, all-day regional favorite. The day starts with a patriotic morning parade complete with a thunderous military veteran flyover. Spend the afternoon checking out an extreme trampoline stunt show at Miners Park, browsing a curated local Makers Market, hitting the food trucks, or testing your balance on family-friendly mechanical bulls. Live music carries you into a grand evening fireworks show.
The Deets: Main street parade kicks off in the morning; live music begins at 4 PM; professional fireworks launch at 9:30 PM. Details at firestoneco.gov
Keenesburg
The Event: 3rd of July Independence Day Celebration
What’s going on: For those of you in the Crew who want to double-dip on celebrations and beat the holiday traffic, Keenesburg throws a full-day party a day early at the Southeast Weld County Fairgrounds. Settle in for classic small-town food vendors, a dedicated kids' entertainment zone, and wide-open prairie skies illuminated by an early fireworks show.
The Deets: Happening Friday, July 3rd. Gates open early with fireworks lighting up the country sky at dusk. Schedules at keenesburg.org
Berthoud
The Event: Berthoud 3rd of July Festival & TPC Independence Day
What’s going on: Berthoud also kicks off the holiday weekend early with its annual 3rd of July Festival at Waggener Farm Park on Friday, featuring a beer garden, lawn games, and over thirty food trucks before the fireworks launch. On the Fourth itself, TPC Colorado is hosting an elegant standalone Independence Day Celebration with live music, food, and its own fireworks overlooking Lonetree Reservoir.
The Deets: 3rd of July Festival runs Friday from 5 PM to 9 PM (fireworks at dusk) at Waggener Farm Park; details at berthoud.org. TPC Colorado celebration takes place Saturday, July 4th, starting at 7:30 PM.
Wellington
The Event: Wellington Fourth of July Festival & Market
What’s going on: Downtown is under construction this summer, so the traditional parade is pivoting to a new route surrounding the Wellington Middle/High School campus along Eagle Street. Afterward, head to Centennial Park for the Main Street Market, a live set by Rusty 44, and the Rockabilly Vixens Car Show. The evening concludes near Eyestone Elementary with a Wellington Community Band concert and synchronized fireworks.
The Deets: Parade starts at 10 AM; Centennial Park market from 11 AM to 2 PM; community band at 7:30 PM; fireworks launch at 9:39 PM. Tune your car radio to 97.1 FM for the music soundtrack! Town updates at wellingtoncolorado.gov
Mead
The Event: Independence Day Community Bike Parade
What’s going on: A beloved neighborhood tradition on the morning of July 4th. Kids, parents, and neighbors decorate their bicycles, tricycles, strollers, and wagons in full patriotic regalia for a classic, high-energy community cruise down 3rd Street.
The Deets: Parade rolls out in the morning. Route map and registration instructions can be found at townofmead.org
Red Feather Lakes
The Event: Independence Day Mountain Festival & Fun Run
What’s going on: Up in the pines, the mountain community throws a breathtaking holiday escape on Saturday, July 4th. Kick off the morning with an untimed 3.6-Mile Fun Run winding through the scenic Fox Acres Golf Course, starting and ending at The Tavern. Follow it up with a village craft fair, an afternoon fishing contest, and a high-country parade. Cap off the night with live music at The Tavern right before the fireworks light up the mountain canopy.
The Deets: Fun run at 10 AM; village market through the afternoon; mountain parade at 2 PM; live music from 7 PM to 9 PM; fireworks launch at dark. Details at redfeatherlakes.us
Grover
The Event: The Earl Anderson Memorial Rodeo
What’s going on: If y’all want to skip the urban crowds entirely, and experience raw, old-school high-plains heritage, this classic weekend rodeo out on the northeastern Weld County grass plains is an unforgettable alternative. Watch champion riders dust up the arena and experience an unpaved Front Range tradition.
The Deets: Rodeo events run across the holiday weekend. Full event schedule and ticket information at groverrodeo.com
Johnstown
The Event: Johnstown Holiday Launchpad
What’s going on: While Johnstown keeps things quiet, intimate, and community-focused with local park gatherings and neighborhood barbecues on the actual Fourth, it serves as the perfect launchpad for the weekend. Grab a peaceful morning stroll through town before packing up the lawn chairs to catch the massive regional displays in neighboring Loveland, Firestone, or Greeley.
A Quick Note on Safety: Our dry Northern Colorado summers mean a single rogue spark can change a landscape in minutes. Anything that leaves the ground or explodes is strictly illegal for personal use statewide at the moment. The public shows are bigger, brighter, and entirely handled by the pros anyway — go find a blanket, sit back, and let them do the heavy lifting. Let’s do our part to keep our neighbors safe and our neighborhoods fire-free. Learn more.
This space is usually reserved for the local outfits that make our community tick. We keep things simple: No cookie-cutter ads here. Just local businesses doing good work. If you’re a local owner who wants to get in front of the most engaged, curious readers in Northern Colorado, we’d love to feature you. Drop a reply and say hello — let's see if we’re a fit.
Every contribution keeps us out in the field, digging into local history, and showing up for the towns we cover. We're grateful for every bit of support. Thanks for being part of this.
— Megan & David
From Berthoud to the Wyoming state line, Fort Morgan to Estes, each week we pull together a list of the top events happening all over Northern Colorado.
July 1 - July 6, 2026
All Weekend Long
3 Nights of STS9 @ Mishawaka Amphitheatre (Bellvue) — Fri–Sun, 8pm — Three nights of the jam-band veterans up the Poudre Canyon. Not technically Fort Collins, but it's the region's summer concert institution. 👉 Head up the canyon
Corb Lund: Night One & Two @ Moxi Theater (Greeley) — Fri–Sat, 8pm (doors 7pm) — The Canadian outlaw-country songwriter plays two nights back to back. 👉 Saddle up for two
Greeley Stampede's closing weekend @ Greeley Stampede grounds (Greeley) — through Sun, times vary by day — The 250th-year Stampede winds down with Dierks Bentley closing out Friday night, Joe Nichols headlining Saturday's grandstand show, and the Pepsi Challenge rodeo running Sat–Sun. 👉 Ride into the finale
Centennial Village Museum: "Celebrating Milestones: 250 Years of the United States" (Greeley) — Sat–Sun, noon–6pm — Special Stampede-weekend hours for a exhibit timed to America's 250th, an unusually on-the-nose local hook this year. 👉 Walk through 250 years
7 Year Anniversary Party @ Avant Garde Aleworks (Estes Park) — Fri–Sun, various times — Three days of anniversary programming at the Estes Park brewery. Flag: no confirmed daily schedule on source page. 👉 Toast seven years
THURSDAY, July 2
Bonsai Bar! @ Gilded Goat Brewing – Midtown (Fort Collins) — 6:30 to 8:30pm — Style your own miniature tree with a beer in hand. 👉 Grow something small
The Jazz Section @ Avogadro's Number (Fort Collins) — 7 to 9pm — $15 cover. 👉 Take the cover charge
Underground Comedy Showcase: David Testroet @ Stella's Pinball Arcade & Lounge (Greeley) — 8pm, doors 7pm — 18+. 👉 Laugh in the basement
Snowy Peaks Winery Patio Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (Estes Park) — 4 to 7pm — A new patio opening at the mountain winery. 👉 Be there for the first pour
Summerfest Concert Series: Jon Pickett @ Kathie Mennel Amphitheater (Estes Park) — 7 to 8:30pm — Free outdoor concert in Estes Park's summer series. 👉 Bring a blanket
Thursday Night Live @ Downtown Fort Morgan (Fort Morgan) — 5 to 8:30pm — The only occurrence of this weekly summer series that falls in our window this issue. 👉 Go east for the night
Blake Whiten @ Island Grove Regional Park, Stampede grounds (Greeley) — 10:45pm — Free admission, part of the Stampede's late-night lineup. 👉 Close out the night free
Volunteer: Nursery Order Pulling @ High Plains Environmental Center (Loveland) — 9am to noon 👉 Grow something good
Flow and Let Go: Mindful Acrylic Paint Pour @ Orion's Apothecary (Loveland) — 5 to 7pm 👉 Pour it out
Free Concert Series: Jees! Funk Band @ Greeley Family FunPlex (Greeley) — 7pm — Free, family-friendly, funk. 👉 Funk for free
FRIDAY, July 3
First Friday Art Walk @ Downtown Fort Collins — 6 to 9pm 👉 Wander Old Town
First Friday Art Walk @ Downtown Greeley (multiple businesses) — 5 to 8pm — Greeley's version, same night. 👉 Wander downtown Greeley
FIRST FRIDAY! Art Groove @ Various Locations (Estes Park) — 5 to 8pm — Three towns, three First Friday art walks, one night. 👉 Make it three for three
Poudre River Irregulars: Traditional Jazz on Avo's Patio @ Avogadro's Number (Fort Collins) — 4 to 7pm — Monthly trad jazz on the patio. 👉 Catch the first Friday set
Fort Collins Ghost Tour @ Fort Collins Tours, LLC (Fort Collins) — 7:30 to 9pm 👉 Walk with the ghosts
Mosaic Lamp Workshop @ Our Town Market (Loveland) — 6:30 to 8:30pm — Build your own stained-glass-style lamp. 👉 Build your own glow
Flashback Friday Movie Series @ Rialto Theater Center (Loveland) — 7 to 9pm 👉 Rewind for a night
The Merry Wives of Windsor (OpenStage Theatre & Company) @ Center for Creativity, Historic Carnegie Library (Fort Collins) — 7pm — Opens Friday, closes Sunday. 👉 Catch opening night
Josh Blackburn Live @ Mighty River Brewing (Windsor) — 6 to 9pm 👉 Pull up a stool
Karaoke Night: 80s Theme! @ Love Shack Mocktails (Loveland) — 6 to 10pm — Free entry, 18+ unless with an adult. 👉 Sing like it's 1985
Deliver Meals to Neighbors in Need @ Kaiser Permanente offices (Greeley 9:30am–noon / Loveland 11:30am–2pm) — A volunteer meal-delivery shift, free to join. 👉 Show up for a neighbor
Downtown Greeley Friday Fest @ Downtown Greeley plazas (Greeley) — 6 to 10pm — Weekly street festival, extra lively with First Friday Art Walk the same night. 👉 Hit the plazas
Euchre Night @ Breckenridge Brewery (Fort Collins) — 7 to 9pm 👉 Deal me in
First Friday at the Publick House @ Wolverine Farm (Fort Collins) — 6 to 9pm 👉 Publick House hours
Friday Live Music: Marty Astry @ Snowy Peaks Winery (Estes Park) — 5 to 7pm 👉 Wine and a set
Live DJ @ Ace Gillett's (Fort Collins) — 7 to 11pm 👉 Dance the night
Live Jazz by Max Wagner & Stu MacAskie @ Earthwood Collections (Estes Park) — 5 to 7pm — Monthly first-Friday jazz set at the gallery. 👉 Jazz among the art
Live Music with The Coldies @ Bogey's Sport Bar (Estes Park) — 7 to 9pm 👉 Evening live music
Live Music: Kitchen Pass Band @ Loveland Aleworks (Loveland) — 6 to 8pm 👉 Friday night sounds
Open Nursery Day @ High Plains Environmental Center (Centerra) (Loveland) — 9am to noon — Browse native plants at the center's nursery. 👉 Shop for natives
Outstanding in Our Field: CSU's Impact on Colorado Horticulture @ Morgan Library, CSU Libraries (Fort Collins) — 9am to 5pm — Standing exhibit on CSU's horticulture history. 👉 Browse the exhibit
PAWS for Reading – Windsor Library @ Windsor Library (Windsor) — 10 to 11am — Kids read aloud to therapy dogs. 👉 Read to a dog
SATURDAY
Fourth of July
Check out the full Fourth of July Field Guide above, but here are a few other things happening on this Independence Day:
Fort Co
FireKracker 5k @ City Park Pool (Fort Collins) — 7:30 to 9:30am — Kicks off the day before the rest of City Park's celebration takes over. 👉 Start the day running
Red White & Brews: 14th Anniversary Celebration @ Loveland Aleworks (Loveland) — Noon to 8pm — A full day of live music (RLY ORY, Kade Robertson, Parish Heights) plus the brewery's anniversary. 👉 Make a day of it
Pool Party: 80th Anniversary Special @ Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch (Loveland) — 11:30am to 12:30pm — The ranch turns 80. 👉 Splash into 80 years
Good Old-Fashioned 4th of July Cookout @ Big Thompson Brewery (Loveland) — 4 to 8pm 👉 Eat like it's the 4th
4th of July @ Stodgy Brewing (Fort Collins) — Noon to 10pm — The taproom stays open late for the holiday, no special programming beyond the extended hours. 👉 Toast the day
Find Waldo This July in Estes Park Colorado @ Macdonald Book Shop (Estes Park) — various times — A month-long scavenger hunt hiding Waldo cutouts around Estes Park storefronts. 👉 Go find him
Fitness on the Plaza @ The Foundry Plaza, Downtown Loveland (Loveland) — 8 to 10am — Free outdoor fitness class downtown. 👉 Sweat before the fireworks
Karaoke Night @ Lonigans (Estes Park) — 9pm to midnight 👉 Grab the mic
Live Music with Jared Janzen @ Gilded Goat Brewing (Old Town) (Fort Collins) — 6 to 8pm 👉 Unwind with live music
Live Music with John Hodges @ Bogey's Sport Bar (Estes Park) — Noon to 3pm 👉 Afternoon tunes
Live Music with Joseph Lingenfelter @ Inn on Fall River (Estes Park) — 5 to 9pm 👉 Sunset dinner set
Live Music: Kade Robertson @ Loveland Aleworks (Loveland) — 3 to 5pm — Part of the Aleworks' Red White & Brews anniversary lineup. 👉 Keep the music going
Live Music: Parish Heights @ Loveland Aleworks (Loveland) — 5 to 8pm — Closes out the Aleworks' day-long anniversary lineup. 👉 Close out the day
Live Music: RLY ORY @ Loveland Aleworks (Loveland) — Noon to 3pm — Opens the Aleworks' day-long anniversary lineup. 👉 Kick off the day
SnowBelt BlueGrass Duo @ The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern (Estes Park) — 5 to 8pm 👉 Pick and grin
The Big Bang, Concert on July 4th! @ Estes Park Events Complex (Estes Park) — 5 to 10pm — Estes Park's own Independence Day concert and fireworks finale. Flag: exact fireworks time unconfirmed — likely the closer. 👉 Watch the sky light up
Weekend 'Toons @ The Lyric Cinema & Cafe (Fort Collins) — 10am — Saturday morning cartoon block, rated G. 👉 Cartoons and coffee
SUNDAY, July 5
Gin Blossoms (w/ Pernikoff Brothers) @ Washington's (Laporte) — 7:30pm 👉 90s alt-rock, live
The Merry Wives of Windsor (OpenStage Theatre & Company) @ Center for Creativity, Historic Carnegie Library (Fort Collins) — 7pm — Closing performance. 👉 Catch the last show
CO150 Film Fest: A League of Their Own @ Kress Cinema and Lounge (Greeley) — 1:30 to 4pm — Part of a Colorado-themed film series. 👉 Watch the classic
Sunday Dinner Live Music @ Lonigans (Estes Park) — 6 to 8pm 👉 Dinner and a set
Jessi Codding @ Avogadro's Number (Fort Collins) — 5 to 7pm — Local singer-songwriter, early evening set. 👉 Wind down with live music
Kelly Aspen and Branden Sipes @ City Star Brewing (Berthoud) — 5 to 7:30pm 👉 Berthoud's Sunday soundtrack
Line Dancing @ Estes Valley Community Center (Estes Park) — 4 to 5pm 👉 Learn the steps
Cowboys Dead @ Avogadro's Number (Fort Collins) — 1 to 4pm 👉 Afternoon set
Gregg Green @ The Slab Outdoor Pub (Estes Park) — 1 to 5pm 👉 Patio hang
Sarah Minto-Sparks @ The Rock Inn Mountain Tavern (Estes Park) — 5 to 8pm 👉 Sunday evening set
MONDAY, July 6
2026 Rooftop Rodeo kicks off @ Estes Park Events Complex (Estes Park) — 7 to 9pm, runs through July 11 — Estes Park's week-long rodeo tradition starts tonight. 👉 Ride into rodeo week
Little Fairy Tales Storytime @ Grimm Brothers Brewhouse (Loveland) — 10am — Storytime at a brewery named for the Grimms. Makes sense once you think about it. 👉 Once upon a pint
Traps & Trenchcoats Book Club @ Old Firehouse Books (Fort Collins) — 6 to 7pm — A noir and mystery-themed book club, off-site at 102 Remington St. 👉 Crack the case
Dead Pen Drawing Club @ Wolverine Farm (Fort Collins) — 6 to 9pm 👉 Draw something dead
Storytime @ Cherry on Top Bookshop (Fort Collins) — 10 to 11am 👉 Story hour
