Sunday’s Community Church Service Begins Busy July 4 Week Festivities

Whether you are patriotic or just looking for some fun, there is never a shortage of activities leading up to the Fourth of July in Lake City. Lake City Chamber of Commerce has worked overtime preparing good times for locals and tourists, and there is a big calendar to prove it.
If you aren’t on the Alpine Loop, shopping or fishing out at the lake, you can pick up a calendar at the Visitors Center or check online at www.lakecity.com for additional activities.
A wonderful tradition in Lake City continues at the interdenominational, Community Church Service in the Lake City Community School playground. The service is the opening salvo of an action-packed holiday week of activities.
The annual community church gathering commences Sunday at 10 a.m. in the schoolyard, and folks are encouraged to bring their own chair or blanket. Sunscreen and bug spray may also be a good idea.
Lyn Lampert, pastor of Grace Fellowship Church, will deliver this summer’s message entitled, “Do You Know Real Life?” Lake City Community Choir provides the special music, singing an inspirational rendition of “In God We Trust, In God Alone.”
This year’s al fresco service, according to Lampert, returns to multi-denomination participation. Dan File of First Baptist Church presents the opening prayer, as well as the benediction. St. James Episcopal minister, Rev. Ed Nettleton, is slated for the welcoming statements.
Designated readers from each of the various churches will read scriptures. An offering will be taken benefitting the Christian Community Services. Mary Nettleton will give a brief presentation regarding the philanthropic needs of the Christian Community Service.
Also on July 1 at the Armory is the 6th Annual Bear Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a free event with great activities and information for kids and adults, as well as an opportunity to learn how to coexist with the black bears that abound in and around our town.
July 3 festivities begin early with the traditional High Country Craft Fair, once again held in Veterans’ Park in front of Hinsdale County Courthouse. Sponsored by Wee Care, the fair features a wide variety of vendors starting at 8 a.m. and continuing until 5 p.m.
There is no better way to prepare for the hectic 4th of July doings in Lake City than to attend Lake City Community Choir’s annual Patriotic Concert. Under the fine leadership of choir director Claire Jessee, the 25-member community choir will perform their annual patriotic concert on Tuesday, July 3, in the Armory commencing at 7 p.m.
According to Jessee, there are no special soloists scheduled this year, and the choir will be accompanied by accomplished pianist Janet Potter. Highlights performed at the patriotic event include new arrangements of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “God Bless America.” Other patriotic tunes include a medley of George M. Cohan’s “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” “Give My Regards to Broadway” and “You’re a Grand Ol’ Flag.”
Jessee notes that there will also be a musical salute to each branch of the armed forces.
Another world-class musical opportunity over the July 4 weekend is Chris Collins and Boulder Canyon’s “Rocky Mountain High” on July 3, a John Denver tribute at the Sportsman’s Backyard venue in Wade’s Addition. For tickets and more information, go to their website at SportsmansBBQBackyard.com
Wednesday, July 4, is the crown jewel of Lake City entertainment. The old fashioned parade is a perennial crowd pleaser as fans line the streets early all along the Gunnison Avenue parade route. The parade starts at 10 a.m. and includes home-made floats, a contingent of veterans, the Lake City Stinger Band, firetrucks and lots of candy throwing. This year’s parade, a salute to Lake City history, starts on the South end of Gunnison Avenue in Wade’s Addition, turns at 6th street in the historic district and wends its way back to Lake City Park via Silver Street.
Standing in for Schuyler Denham as the Colonial Town Crier this year for the 2018 will be Henry Rothschild. He will be bringing the joyous news, hot off the Colonial press, that the American Colonies have informed King George they are severing ties with the English. Rothschild will don the Town Crier costume, ring that bell, and enthusiastically recite the Declaration of Independence in front of the Hinsdale County Museum. It is a wonderful educational opportunity for American kids of all ages.
Assurances came quickly from Denham’s wife, Carol Robinson, “Schuyler will never tire of his Town Crier role.” Schuyler agreed stating, “We are just going to be out of town on a prolonged camping trip across the country, visiting family and friends this year.”
Longtime Lake City Stinger Band member Bill Stewart affirms, “Yes, the band will be on their July 4 float once again this year.” The red-vested, home-town band is a traditional parade favorite, led by band director Mike Pearce. Among their selections, the Lake City band will deliver anthems for each branch of the U.S military with characteristic flair and gusto..
Stewart refers to the fact the band now consists of only 10 local members. “We are always looking for new membership,” he says with an encouragement to younger musicians to join the fun.
However, for those who crave yet more melodious strains, Stewart says Lake City Jazz Band will perform in front of ‘Tis the Season, located at Gunnison Avenue and 2nd Street.
There may be only six months until Christmas, but there is always time for Dixie Land Jazz. Pianist for the Jazz group, Celeste Scott, had no definite time other than “close to noon.” She adds that their group will begin performing Dixie Land selections once the parade is over and the participants can make their way back. She also states that ‘Tis the Season, a gift shop with much more to offer than holiday décor, will be open.
Scott notes that owner Barry Thompson and his helpers will be participating in the parade with a salute to Lake City “Christmas in Lake City” lady, the late Edie Swanson.
Activities and races for all categories in Lake City Town Park are favorite July 4th fun. Lake City Chamber of Commerce is selling jambalaya again this year, and other delicious food and drink will abound in the Town Park all afternoon. Live music and a street dance featuring the band “Vehicle” are scheduled for evening fun.
Sadly, due to fire restrictions and continued drought conditions the Lake City, fireworks have been cancelled.
Offering belly laughs for folks of all ages, the opening night of the Lake City Cabin Fever Players begins Thursday evening, July 5, with their hilarious presentation of “Mid-Life Dracula’s Birthday Bash.” Advance tickets are available at the Moseley Arts Center and at the door.
The 4th of July week keeps rolling with a Friday, July 6, lecture at the Hinsdale County Museum. Dave Primus presents “Beneath Blue Mesa” at 6:30 p.m. to explain what lay beneath the well known reservoir’s shimmering depths before it was inundated.
Friday evening, July 6, at 7 p.m., Robert Fasol, organist-choir master for St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City, gives a piano concert at the Moseley Arts Center. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children, proceeds benefiting Pioneer Jubilee Women’s Club of Lake City.
Finishing off the long holiday weekend is the free, not-to-be missed, July 7 photography show and reception featuring the stunning photographic work of up-and-coming artist Michael Underwood in the Lake City Arts’ Anthony Gallery from 5 pm – 7 pm.