July 4 a full day of celebration

ASPEN Aspen’s annual Fourth of July celebration begins with the Boogie’s Diner Buddy 5 Mile Race and concludes with pyrotechnics in a new setting – the city golf course.In between, the day brings the traditional downtown parade, music, barbecues and more. Any and all of the events could produce a winning image in The Aspen Times online July 4 photo contest. Entries may be posted at aspentimes.com. (The link to the photo contest is right below the News headlines.) A couple of dinners for two at Jimmy’s An American Restaurant and Bar will go to the winners.As for the day’s events, here’s a rundown:Aspen July 4 schedule of events• 8 a.m. – Boogie’s Diner Buddy 5 Mile Race. Registration is $50 on race day; $5 for those 16 and younger. Registration and start line in front of Boogie’s. One-mile family/canine walk follows at 9:15 p.m.• 10 a.m. – Kids bicycle decorating at Paepcke Park for youngsters riding in the parade (helmets mandatory).• 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Kids carnival organized by the Early Learning Center, at Paepcke Park. Games, barbecue, silent auction, bake sale and July 4 souvenirs. • Noon – Old-fashioned Fourth of July parade through downtown Aspen.• 1 p.m. – Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club’s 12th annual Community Picnic, Koch Park, with barbecue, kids games, live entertainment and beer garden. Barbecue is $10 for members, $12 for nonmembers and $5 for children 10 and younger.• 1:30 p.m. – Aspen Art Museum’s annual, complimentary picnic featuring innovative parade float by Nicolau Verguerio, exhibitions by artist Nicole Wermers and the museum’s distinguished artist-in-residence, Koo Jeong-A.• 2 p.m. – Free skating exhibition at the Aspen Ice Garden.• 1:30-5 p.m. – Family barbecue at Aspen Highlands Village, with live music by the Double Diamond Band, clowns, face-painters and more. Food free to Highlands residents, $12 for nonresidents.• 4 p.m. – Free Fourth of July concert by the Aspen Music Festival Band at the Benedict Music Tent.• 8-10:30 p.m. – Dancing In the Streets – a community street dance/concert featuring music by the Bo Hale Band on the Cooper Avenue Mall (20-minute intermission during firework display).• 9:15 p.m. – Fireworks over the Aspen Golf Club (weather permitting). Recommended viewing locales include the 13th fairway at the golf course (open for seating at 7:30 p.m.), the Aspen Recreation Center grounds, Upper Moore Field, the Marolt Open Space and Bugsy Barnard Park. Walk, bicycle or grab a bus to view the fireworks; no parking will be available at the golf course. Free bus service will be available from the Brush Creek intercept lot to the Maroon Creek roundabout stop. For those who choose to sit on the fairway: No seating is allowed on the greens, pack out whatever you pack in, bring a blanket and a flashlight, and be aware of natural hazards and unmarked obstacles.A reminder: A burn ban is in effect in Pitkin County. That means the private use of fireworks is prohibited.