Rapids and Commerce City Team Up For "4th Fest Colorado"

Commerce City, Colo. (Wednesday, June 6, 2007)- The Colorado Rapids and Commerce City announced today the details surrounding "4th Fest Colorado", which will be a collaborative effort between the team and city to put on the biggest celebration of America's birthday in Colorado this year at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

The Rapids are moving their annual Fourth of July extravaganza to Dick's Sporting Goods Park from Invesco Field at Mile High, where it has taken place for the last five years (and at Old Mile High Stadium the 6 years before that), and Commerce City will be moving their official celebration to the complex from Fairfax Park to merge the two traditional celebrations into one gigantic festival.

The can't-miss free outdoor festival begins at 2 p.m. on July 4 when the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park field complex opens to the public. Activities will take place throughout the day on the streets and fields just south of the stadium. There will be a beer garden, interactive kids and family zone, programmed sports and activities on the stadium fields, and food vendors up and down Valentia Street.  The Rapids will also be providing live music starting at 2pm that will feature four unique bands on a huge stage outside the south end of the stadium; popular local band Brethren Fast will headline this live music portion of the festival.

The activities surrounding the stadium all day are all leading up to the 12th annual Fourth of July home game for the Rapids, as they face off against the Columbus Crew in MLS action with kickoff starting at 7:30pm. Colorado will look to avenge their only loss in history on America's birthday, which occurred vs. this same Columbus side on July 4, 1999. The Rapids hold a 10-1-0 all time record on July 4th games.

Following the game, the Rapids and Commerce City will treat fans to the biggest, longest, and most explosive fireworks show in the state, viewable for both fans inside the stadium and those outside on the fields complex. Due to the lack of noise and air restrictions surrounding the stadium complex, fans can count on witnessing a fireworks show without the restrictions that curtail shows in other locations around the city and state, guaranteeing spectators the best and most explosive display in Colorado. Fans in the stadium that have roof-obstructed views of the pyrotechnics will also have the unique opportunity to watch the show down on the grass of the stadium field!

The festival outside the stadium will be free for fans to attend but there will be a $5 vehicle admission fee charged for entry to the complex for fans not holding Rapids game tickets.  Fans holding tickets to the Rapids match have the admission fee already included in their ticket price. Tickets are available at the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park Box Office, at ticket kiosks located in all metro area Dick’s Sporting Goods retail stores, online at www.tickethorse.com, or by phone at 1-866-466-6556 or by calling the Rapids Ticket Sales Office at 303-825-GOAL (4625).

For more details on the event, including the lineup of live music, details on the festival activities, a list of prohibited items, and other information, please visit www.4thFestColorado.com