Food, fireworks and fun on the 4th
There’s so much stuff going on this weekend, the problem will be trying to take it all in and still find time for a few hikes/bike rides and backyard barbecues.Here’s a rundown:TodaySnowmass Village – Michael Martin Murphey’s WestFest continues on the Snowmass Mall and Fanny Hill. Country singer Craig Morgan takes the main stage at 7 p.m. Murphey (remember “Wildfire”?) performs at 2:15 p.m. Shane Owens is on stage at noon. Western arts and crafts, trail rides, cowboy poetry, Western swing dancing, food and more. Tickets are $39 per day; free for kids under 12.Aspen – Free live music from Soul Feel on the Cooper Avenue mall stage from 6 to 9 p.m.SundaySnowmass Village – Final day of WestFest (see above). Waddy Mitchell is on the main stage at noon, with Don Edwards at 1:15 p.m., Murphey at 3:45 and singer/songwriter Ian Tyson at 6:45. Fireworks begin at dusk. Aspen – Free live music by the Ben Diamond Band on the Cooper Avenue mall stage, 6 to 9 p.m.MondayAspen – 8 a.m.: Boogie’s Diner Buddy 5-Mile Race ($45 registration fee on race day).9:15 a.m.: One-mile family/canine walk race ($45 race day, plus $5 per dog).10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.: America’s Birthday Carnival. Fun for kids, courtesy of the Early Learning Center, at Paepcke Park. Games, barbecue, silent auction, bake sale and July 4 souvenirs.11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Hotel Jerome’s annual cookout on the terrace. Dan Sheridan performs from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Monkey Train takes the stage from 1 to 3 p.m. Cash bar and food sold á la carte.Noon: The parade begins in downtown Aspen.1 p.m.: Annual community picnic at Koch Park, sponsored by the Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club.2 p.m.: Free skating exhibition at Aspen Ice Garden.2 to 6 p.m.: Freedom Celebration at Aspen Highlands. Barbecue is free for Highlands residents and $8 for everyone else. Live music by Newcomers Home, African drumming, clowns, face painting, etc. Free parking.6:30 p.m.: Smokey Joe’s Cafe playing at Theatre Aspen tent. Tickets available at the Wheeler Box Office.7:30 p.m.: Free Fourth of July concert at the Benedict Music Tent. The Aspen Music Festival Band offers patriotic favorites. Grab a seat in the tent or on the lawn.8 to 10:30 p.m.: Street dance featuring “classic rock” by Take the Wheel on the Cooper Avenue mall stage (the band takes a break for the fireworks).9:15 p.m.: Pyrotechnics over Aspen Mountain (unless the weather goes awry).
Aspen City Council considers additional increases to food tax refund
Just as everyone was getting used to the $15 increase in the food tax refund, Aspen City Council unanimously agreed that they’d like to see it increase even more.