The Old Fashioned 4th of July Festival in Park City
World famous for its incredible vistas and legendary skiing, Park City is more than just a winter wonderland. When it comes time to bid a sad farewell to the snows of winter, a beautiful tapestry of mountain trails and forest paths is unfurled, offering up hiking, mountain biking, and alpine adventure to the intrepid explorers. The highlight of the glorious summer season is the epic Old Fashioned 4th of July Festival held in historic downtown Park City. Featuring live music, family fun, rodeos, pancake breakfasts, and a festive parade, the day-long celebration culminates with a brilliant firework display over the Wasatch Mountains. The perfect highlight to a summer getaway with family and friends, be sure to check our wide offering of listings at Park City Vacation Rentals and be sure to join us in on Main Street as we celebrate our nation’s heritage!
A Day for the Ages
Park City got its start as a 19th century mining town, and the tradition of starting your day right with a hearty breakfast lives on. The 4th is no different, as the town kicks off 12+ hours of festivities with a delicious pancake breakfast in City Park. While you fuel up, you can watch the Cole Sport 5k Mountain Fun Run, an annual tradition in its 36th year.
Main Street, USA
We like to spend the morning exploring the idyllic streets, boutiques, breweries, and cafes of Park City, but we are always sure to grab a good spot for the 11am parade. This string of more than 70 vintage and custom designed floats waltzes past enthusiastic onlookers that come from miles around to line Main Street. The floats commemorate the town’s storied history and celebrate our nation’s independence, and are popular with all ages.
There are kids’ activities, community rugby games, a volleyball tournament, delicious food vendors, a beer garden, and artisans and craftsman selling their patriotic and local wares. Live music and barbecues keep the party going all day. Soak up the tunes from local jam bands, popular regional artists, and then cap your night with a majestic fireworks show at the Park City Mountain Resort. Witness the spectacle in the cool of the evening underneath clear mountain skies – it is truly not to be missed.
Hot Enough For Ya?
If parades are not for you, or if you just need to beat the heat, why not spend the 4th relaxing in the cool waters of Jordanelle State Park, tubing down the Provo River, or taking a guided rafting tour down the Weber River. In years past the Utah Olympic Park has also offered a popular “Slip ‘n Soar” waterslide event under the stars on the 4th of July at the giant Olympic training pool outside Park City. Check their website for this year’s announcement.
Alpine Adventure
Thrill seekers can get a jump on securing a good spot for the evening’s fireworks while catching their adrenaline quota for the day with a visit to the exciting attractions at Park City Mountain Resort. Featuring the state’s only Alpine Rollercoaster, you can also tackle the ZipRider or master the Alpine Slide, one of the longest in the country.
All of the area ski resorts are open during the summer offering scenic chair lift rides and hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails. Deer Valley even offers horseback rides, standup paddleboard lessons, and fantastic fly fishing if you want some solitude away from the day’s crowds.
Is This Your First Rodeo?
Another popular attraction during the 4th of July week is the famous Oakley Rodeo. Over 6,000 rodeo fans descend on the small town of Oakley to watch cowboys and clowns showdown with bucking broncos and burly bulls. The night concludes with fantastic 4th of July fireworks, as you would expect. This popular event sells out fast so get your tickets early.
No matter how you choose to enjoy your summer visit to the beautiful Park City Area, the 4th of July festivities promise fun for families of all shapes and sizes. Browse our wonderful selection of rental properties to find the perfect home base for your visit, and then kick back and enjoy all that Park City has to offer, even without the snow! We have a vast selection of properties, including long-term rentals and isolated rentals to give you the peace and quietness you desire.
