The Tri-Lakes area is preparing to celebrate Independence Day with its largest and longest-running small-town Fourth of July traditions, as Monument and Palmer Lake welcome thousands of residents and visitors for a full day of patriotic festivities on July 4.

Celebrating the United States of America’s 250th birthday this year, from an early morning fun run and pancake breakfast to a parade, street fair and live music performances in Limbach Park in Monument, organizers said this year’s celebration offers activities from sunrise through late afternoon while continuing a community tradition which has become a hallmark of summer in northern El

Paso County.

The annual celebrations are a collaborative effort involving the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Monument Hill Kiwanis Club, the towns of Monument and Palmer Lake, and numerous community volunteers and sponsors. Events are spread across both communities and are designed to provide entertainment and activities for all ages.

“One of the things I love most about Festival on the Fourth is that it brings people together. Whether you’re a lifelong resident, new to our town, or visiting for the day, everyone is welcome to celebrate our country and enjoy time with family, friends and neighbors,” Palmer Lake Mayor Dennis Stern said. “That’s what small-town America is all about, and we’re proud to carry on that tradition in Palmer Lake.

“This year’s Festival on the Fourth is especially meaningful as our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary. It’s an opportunity to reflect on our shared history, celebrate the freedoms we enjoy and come together as a community. There is no better place to mark that milestone!”

The day begins at 7 a.m. on July 4 with the annual Palmer Lake Fun Run, a four-mile race which starts at the Santa Fe Trailhead in Palmer Lake and concludes in Monument. The race has become a staple of the holiday celebration, attracting runners and walkers of a variety of ages and abilities who enjoy beginning the Fourth of July with a scenic route through the Tri-Lakes area.

Also beginning at 7 a.m. is the annual pancake breakfast at St. Peter Catholic Church in Monument. The breakfast has long served as a gathering place for residents and visitors alike, providing a hearty meal kick-off before the day’s activities get rolling.

Children can take center stage beginning at 9:30 a.m. with the Monument Hill Kiwanis Club’s Children’s Parade, which gives young participants an opportunity to dress in patriotic attire, decorate bicycles and wagons and take part in one of the holiday’s most highlighted modern traditions in Monument.

“Monument’s Fourth of July celebration is one of our longest-standing traditions and a defining community event,” Town Manager Madeline VanDenHoek said. “Featuring one of the largest parades in the state, along with a fun run, pancake breakfast, street fair, beer garden and live music, it draws both residents and visitors and reinforces the strong sense of community and small-town feel that defines Monument.”

The main Fourth of July Parade fol

lows the Children’s parade at 10 a.m. through downtown Monument. The annual procession is widely regarded as one of the region’s signature events and has often been promoted by organizers as the “biggest small-town parade in America.” The parade traditionally draws tens of thousands of spectators and features a wide variety of entries, including community organizations, businesses, local officials, emergency responders, marching groups and patriotic displays.

This year’s parade carries the theme, “250 Years of Freedom; 150 Years of Colorado Statehood,” recognizing two significant milestones. The theme commemorates the nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial celebration in 2026 and Colorado’s sesquicentennial anniversary as the state marks 150 years since joining the United States.

This year’s parade will take the same extended route it adopted for last year’s festivities.

“We will be having the same parade route that we used last year,” Frank Delalla of the Monument Hill Kiwanis said. “The longer route we initiated last year, starting at the corner of Santa Fe and Old Denver Highway, worked well and provided space for more spectators.”

While parade organizers move closer to the holiday, Monument Hill Kiwanis has announced it is in need of adultage volunteers to help marshal the parade route to keep it safe for children. Any person interested in volunteering should contact the organization by email, monumenthillkiwanis@gmail.

com.

Attendees of a Fourth of July Celebration in downtown Monument make their way through the street fair organized by the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce. (Tribune file)

Following the parade, much of the activity shifts to downtown Monument and nearby Limbach Park.

The Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce’s Fourth of July Street Fair takes place from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. along Second and Washington streets. The annual fair is expected to feature more than 100 vendors, including food concessions, artisans, local businesses and nonprofit organizations.

In Limbach Park, the chamber’s family-friendly beer garden once again provides a gathering space for adults and families looking to relax and enjoy the live entertainment. This year, the beer garden operates from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., a slight change from previous years when it opened at 10 a.m.

Live music will play throughout the afternoon in the park.

The El Paso County Outlaw Band is scheduled to perform 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. The local group has become known for its blend of country favorites and classic hits, making it a popular attraction during community events across the region.

The day’s entertainment concludes with a performance from Collective Groove from 2:30-5 p.m. The Colorado-based band performs an energetic mix of funk, soul, R&B and dance music and is expected to keep the holiday celebration going into the late after

noon.

“Events like this provide valuable exposure for our local businesses, amenities, and the unique character of our town,” VanDenHoek said. “While the celebration brings energy over the holiday weekend, it often leads to continued visitation throughout the summer, supporting our local economy and reinforcing Monument as a welcoming destination.

“We’re proud of this tradition and the positive impact it continues to have on our community.”

Town officials are also reminding attendees that parade viewing locations and public spaces are subject to established spot reservation guidelines intended to ensure fairness and public safety. Residents planning to reserve spaces along the parade route are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the rules prior to the holiday.

Neighboring Palmer Lake once again hosts its Festival on the Fourth celebration, offering additional activities for residents and visitors to celebrate Independence Day in the Tri-Lakes area. The community’s festivities have become a staple complementing Monument’s events and further reinforce the region’s reputation for Fourth of July celebration.

With races, parades, live music, vendors and family activities planned throughout the day, organizers are preparing for another memorable Independence Day celebration and are encouraging residents to come early, plan ahead and enjoy one of the Tri-Lakes area’s most popular traditions.