Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak region events draw July Fourth revelers
Big-city Fourth of July celebrations can be fun, but they have nothing on Woodland Park.
The self-described "City Above the Clouds," 20 miles west of Colorado Springs and with a population of about 8,000, saluted the holiday Thursday with its annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration at Memorial Park in the center of town, which featured a fishing derby, pie- and watermelon-eating contests, sack races, dancing exhibitions, karaoke and a U.S. flag presentation, among other activities.
Several hundred people attended the celebration, sitting at picnic tables, spreading out blankets on lush green grass, playing cornhole and eating hot dogs, tacos, shaved ice and other summer treats sold by on-site vendors.
The celebration took place during the morning and afternoon, so there were no fireworks. But picture-postcard blue skies and cooler-than-normal temperatures for a July Fourth added to a day that organizers and residents say was all about family, fun and freedom.
"Tradition, memories, good family fun," said Jessica Naples, who with her husband, Ben, brought sons Jonah, who turns 10 next week, Wyatt, who turns 5 also next week, and Calvin, 1, and 7-year-old daughter Mia, to the event and watched as they took turns casting lines into the park's pond during the early morning fishing derby.
The Naples live in the Banning Lewis Ranch development on Colorado Springs' east side, but Jessica grew up in Woodland Park and the family comes back regularly to see her parents, who also were on hand Thursday.
"I just so enjoy that," Sharon Gwinn, Jessica's mom, said of watching her grandkids try their hand at fishing and the day's other events. "We see people we've known since we've moved here 23 years ago. It's the Fourth of July. It's a memory. We've done it every year."
Teller County Coroner Steve Tomsky, who, with his wife, Cora, own Mountain Memorial Funeral Home in Divide, launched the annual fishing derby nearly 20 years ago in honor of their son, Jake, who was killed in an auto accident and who loved fishing. They purchase bikes, tackle and other items and award them as prizes for fishing derby participants.
"The kids look forward to it; we like to give back to our community," Steve Tomsky said. "We do this because it's about all of us. I think that's one of the things we're losing in our country, but we do it because it's for our community. Most people are good and you can see we're having a wonderful time."
Nearby, under the park's large covered pavilion, brave contestants tried their hands, er, faces, at a no-crust pie-eating contest.
A few spoonfuls of blueberry or cherry fruit filling were scooped onto a paper plate and ringed by whipped topping; the first person to clean their plate was the winner.
In the 5- to 9-year-old bracket, 8-year-old Zelie Wiseman of Woodland Park finished first — managing to keep her braided blond hair free of the pie filling (she liked the blueberry) and whipped topping. She received a handmade trophy for her efforts.
"It tastes good," she said. "I didn't get too messy. It felt weird."
And what was her strategy as a fledgling Joey Chestnut?
"Just eat as fast you can," Zelie said. "That's basically what I did. I ate as fast I can and tried to not get myself all messed up."
Her father, Todd, said Zelie is the seventh of nine children.
"So," he said, "she knows how to eat fast."
Peggy Strobel, president of the Woodland Park Lions Club, which was one of the day's sponsors, said the pie-eating contest and other low-key, but fun activities help provide a celebratory atmosphere for the community.
"Look at all these people," Strobel said of the throngs of attendees. "It's a safe way for your family and friends to celebrate."
Kelly Stewart was born and raised in Teller County and has been coming to the annual event for decades. On Thursday, she and her son, Sayre, 2, daughter, Freya, 31⁄2, and Kelly's mother-in-law, Eileen Holmes, relaxed on a blanket and enjoyed hot dogs, chips, soda and water.
"I've been coming here for the last 36 years," Kelly said, describing herself as a third generation native of the area. "It's just a family thing to bring my kids to, and watch it kind of grow and develop as a community."
Asked what she liked best, Freya, who was finishing a cup of shaved ice, was ready with her answer.
"The park," she said.
Other Events
Elsewhere throughout the Pikes Peak region, the venerable Rock Ledge Ranch "Family Fourth" remains as popular as ever.
The historic ranch stands next to Garden of the Gods Park and includes original structures, items and period-garbed volunteers to recreate life and culture in the Pikes Peak region from 1775 to 1910.
Hundreds of attendees looking for a quaint way to celebrate America's independence were treated to a series of activities that included pony and wagon rides, traditional carnival games, period-themed music and a performance by the Seven Falls Indian Dancers, a family troupe representing multiple Indigenous backgrounds that span four generations.
Despite its popularity over the years, it still attracts new visitors near and far.
Colorado Springs resident Kathy Clark grew up nearby on Valley Road and admitted said this marked her first year attending the event to show her fiancé.
"It's so cool," she said. "I'm a huge history buff, and I just can't imagine what it must have been like to live out here. And the serenity, to be able to have lived here back then, what it must have looked like.
Groups of families adorned in American flag apparel and Lady Liberty tiaras took the afternoon festivities as an opportunity to educate themselves through immersion.
Brittany Beard from Orlando, Fla., explored the ranch wearing a red, white and blue horn and a T-shirt reading "Proud to be an Americorn." It was also her first time visiting the ranch, where she appreciated the American roots approach to honoring America.
"There's just something about celebrating in older times. Like Abraham Lincoln times," she said.
Exploring all the sights and games with her two daughters, Beard found themselves getting lost in the festivities as they would have hundreds of years ago, with chicken bingo being the highlight.
"We literally waited for like 10 minutes for a chicken to come poop on our number," she said. "And it was great."
