Reflections from a Perfect Night Under the Stars
Well folks, if you weren’t in Estes Park this Fourth of July, you missed a show that rattled the ribs, lit up the soul, and reminded us all why we love calling this place home.
Let me set the scene for you.
The Calm Before the Boom
The day started like most Colorado summer days — bluebird skies, a whisper of breeze, and the smell of sunscreen and barbecues wafting through town. Downtown was buzzing with red, white, and blue. Flags waved from porches, dogs sported bandanas, and kids had more stars and stripes painted on their cheeks than I could count.
As the sun began to dip behind Lumpy Ridge, you could feel it — that electric stillness that always comes before the first firework. Families were camped out at the fairgrounds, Bond Park was packed with lawn chairs and coolers, and the laughter echoed off the mountains.
The Show That Never Gets Old
And then — boom.
The first firework cracked through the sky like the town’s heartbeat. What followed was a full symphony of sparkle and sound, echoing through the valley like thunder from the heavens. We had reds that glowed like ember coals, blues that shimmered like Glacier Creek, and golds that fell like shooting stars.
You could hear the oohs and ahhs, the kids gasping, and maybe even a tear or two from folks who’ve been coming here for decades. There's just something about watching fireworks over the Rockies that makes the hair on your arms stand up.
More Than Just Fireworks
But here's the thing — it wasn’t just the show in the sky that got me. It was the people. It was neighbors handing out sparklers. It was the way total strangers scooted their blankets over to make room. It was the chorus of “God Bless America” that floated through the crowd just before the finale.
And yes, the elk made their appearance — right on cue. They never miss a holiday gathering.
A Town That Shines Brighter Than the Fireworks
Estes Park knows how to put on a show. But more than that, we know how to come together. In a time when the world feels a little louder, a little more chaotic, this mountain town reminded me — as it always does — that community, celebration, and a little bit of sparkle still matter.
Until next year, my friends.
Hope your heart is as full as the sky was on the Fourth.
