Though there’s plenty of fun to be had in Steamboat during the month of June, the unofficial kick-off to summer is the 112th annual Cowboy Round-Up Days Fourth of July celebration. And if the previous 111 years are any indication, this year’s celebration will follow suit as a fantastically fun family event!
We’ve got all the ingredients for a fabulous Fourth of July weekend, plus a few signature spins on the usual that really set Steamboat apart. Where else in the country will the Fourth of July weekend start the celebration with a ski jumping event?
Ski Jumping
Even though the temperature will be in the 80s and the snow will have long since melted, that doesn’t force over 70 die hard Olympians and mini Olympic hopefuls into putting the ski gear away. They’ll be in full racing regalia, competing on downtown’s Howelsen Hill’s HS45 and HS75 plastic covered jumps, while shorts and t-shirt clad spectators hoot and holler for those who make it to the competitive Jumpin’ & Jammin’ event later in the weekend.
Free Summer Concert
The enormous downhill jumps become the backdrop for a Steamboat FREE Summer Concert featuring the funky, bluesy sounds of the New Orleans Suspects. This free summer concert is outdoors, great for all ages and encourages everyone to get their groove on! The show ends early enough (around 9 p.m.) to ensure good night’s rest for Saturday morning parade goers.
Parade
The parade begins at 10 a.m., but grab an early breakfast at one of our many delicious downtown eateries or fuel up at the all-you-can-eat Lion’s Club pancake breakfast at Little Toots Park, then stroll down to save a parade viewing spot on the main street sidewalk.
Block Party
After the parade, follow the floats to the Pioneer Day Block Party at the Tread of Pioneers Museum. Cool off with a different kind of float, the infamous “Routt” Beer Float and Yankee Doodle dandy your way to the museum’s annual noon-time community concert. You can even brush up on your Steamboat history with a free tour of the museum.
Rodeo and Fireworks!
When evening rolls in switch gears from ski jumping to boot stomping at the Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo series. This special Fourth of July Rodeo Show is one not to be missed and even with your cowboy hat on, it provides prime viewing of the Fourth of July fireworks show.
After the colorful skies have gone dark, downtown bars will be kicking up their heels for those who want to exercise their independence into the wee hours. For the rest of us, an immediate post fireworks bedtime is the only option as there’s plenty of hiking, biking, tubing, and strolling to do on Sunday!
