Several thousand people showed up to enjoy the Fourth of July holiday Monday at City Park, Centennial Park and Parque de Vida in Cortez.
The smell of barbecue filled the air as families from all over the region enjoyed picnics, played volleyball, and held pick-up football and basketball games.
“That’s why we came — the huge park!” said Ana Jones of Yellow Rock Point, Utah, as she flipped burgers on the grill. “We’re celebrating our freedom, and a big thank you to our veterans who went out and fought for us.”
Under sunny skies, hundreds of kids swarmed the playground nonstop, squealing a crescendo of summertime fun. Nearby, the 57-member Southwest Civic Winds symphony set the soundtrack, playing a concert of the classics, including Shenandoah, Festival Prelude, Hail to the Fleet, Stars and Stripes, and America the Beautiful.
“This is a perfect day for an outdoor summer concert, happy Fourth of July!” said conductor Mark Walters.
But it was the traditional firework show that caught the collective attention of the crowd as they cheered together, looking skyward at explosions of color, united in their community and country.
“Enjoying this day with family and celebrating our freedom is what it’s all about,” said Virgil Espinoza, of Cortez. “That, and the great fireworks show! It’s my daughter’s first Fourth of July, so this year is extra special.”
