Star-spangled Salida celebrates Independence Day – by Floyd Rovano

July 9, 2024

A large group of people on bicycles, scooters, etc. roll down the street. Many of them are covered in lights and glow sticks.

Cyclists light up the night at the Lighted Bike Parade on F Street as dusk fell on the Fourth of July. Photo: Floyd Rovano

Pictures of an unforgettable 4th of July celebration

Salida saw an impressive turnout for its Independence Day celebration last Thursday at Riverside Park. Families from all over the world gathered in the park to picnic, eat gyros, funnel cakes and meaty hot dogs while watching performances at the Rotary Amphitheater.

F Street was lined with flags, business doors stood open, and music seemed to be blaring from every corner of downtown Salida.

A man with comically large glasses and a T-shirt with the American flag stands next to a group of children and their parents.

Rodeo clown “Uncle Eddie” makes balloon animals for the children. Photo: Floyd Rovano

The weather was as beautiful as Elaine Allemang, executive director of the Salida Community Center and the person responsible for planning the parade, had hoped. In fact, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.

The crowd huddled on the grass in the shade of the tall cottonwood trees; some dipped their toes in the Arkansas River or sat on its banks to feel the breeze on their faces.

After young Hayley Althoff of Salida performed her stunning rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner, audience members were encouraged to join DJ Deano Maes to show off their skills at his open mic talent show.

Salida Police Chief Russ Johnson rides in a red, white and blue suit as Grand Marshall of the 2024 Fourth of July Parade. Photo by Merrell Bergin

Many participants sang, local band Santa Rios provided background music; some played instruments, including a girl who, according to an ad for a guitar rental, could “shred like Hendrix.” After the talent show, RokSkool bands Fender Bender and Running With Scissors performed.

Salida’s Independence Day parade was modest, but the crowd was just as large as usual. With cloudless skies and a hot sun, spectators crowded under awnings on the shady side of the street, where they would be visible to parade marchers or motorists, as Salida police closely monitor the closed streets.

The parade began at the intersection of F and Fifth Streets and proceeded to Sackett Avenue. Salida Police Chief Russ Johnson was the Grand Marshall, dressed in a patriotic, star-spangled blazer.

A woman wearing a black cowboy hat rides a light brown horse decorated with red, white and blue tinsel.

A member of the Chaffee County Fair and Rodeo team rides her horse (who wore his own little hat). Photo: Floyd Rovano

The crowd was encouraged to return to the park for performances by Blue Recluse and Santa Rios. Music was in the air in downtown Salida all evening. Santa Rios played the backtrack to the Lighted Bike Parade, a ride (or flow) of light-up bikes, scooters and hoverboards down F Street.

The weather remained perfect all day and the fireworks display went off without a hitch.

Residents throughout the city marveled at the spectacle on Tenderfoot Mountain; even the private spectacles (illegal under state law) seemed to stop to make way for it.

The celebrations did not end there

The U.S. Air Force Academy Concert Band made a stop on its Independence Day tour to perform at the Rotary Amphitheater the next evening, July 5.

Originally founded in Denver and currently based in Colorado Springs, the USAFA Concert Band “uses the power of music to honor our country’s flag, leaders and veterans.” They played our national anthem, old army songs and works by Star Wars composer John Williams.

A crowd stands with their hands on their hearts. A man in an American Legion jacket salutes.

A local veteran salutes his country during the USAFA’s performance of the national anthem. Photo: Floyd Rovano

If the day’s good cheer and celebratory mood are any indication, the American spirit is alive and well in Salida, Colorado.

A man in formal air force dress, dark blue trousers and a light blue short-sleeved button-down shirt, conducts a band.

Captain Michael Flynn conducts the USAFA band. Photo: Floyd Rovano

A large group of people are standing on an illuminated terrace. Fireworks are exploding in the blue sky.

The sky above the Boathouse Cantina is lit up by a private fireworks display. Photo: Floyd Rovano

A man dressed as Abraham Lincoln waves an American flag.

Even Abraham Lincoln made it to the celebrations this year. Photo: Floyd Rovano

Salida’s 1911 Kissel is a crowd favorite at every parade. Note that the right-hand drive allows Chief Jonke to operate the siren. Photo by Merrell Bergin

Two women in Revolutionary War clothing carry flags.

Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution march in the parade carrying older versions of the American flag and a flag with their badge. Photo: Floyd Rovano