The Colorado Rapids and Commerce City announced the details surrounding "4th Fest Colorado", which will again 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 two traditional celebrations put on by the Rapids and Commerce City are joining forces once again for one gigantic festival!

 

 

 

Alcohol consumption at 4thFest will only be permitted inside the stadium and/or in the Tecate Beer Garden (located in the VIP West Parking Lot). No outside alcoholic beverages are allowed to be brought onto the complex and consumption of alcohol will not be permitted in other areas.

 

With the exception of service animals, there will be no animals or pets of any kind allowed on the Dick's Sporting Goods Park complex.

 

The festival outside the stadium will be free for fans to attend. There is no charge for parking on the complex. There is also no charge for fans taking public transportation or walking onto the complex.

 

Fans who want to enter the stadium will need to have a Rapids game ticket to enter the building.

 

The 4th Fest Family Activity Zone will feature all kinds of interactive activities and elements for kids and their families to explore! The Family Activity Zone will take place outside the south end of the stadium, and will include:

 

Climbing Wall

Face Painting

Caricature Artist

Lego Area

Army Flight Simulator

Quad Trampoline

Handheld Stilts

Balloon Artists

Chalk Art Area

Suncatcher Creation Station

Wandering Entertainment like Rosy Rosebud and the 9-Foot tall Uncle Sam!
Giant Inflatables like a Jump Castle, 3v3 Soccer Field, Bungee Run & Obstacle Course!

and other free activities!

 

For a list of answers to frequently asked questions about Dick's Sporting Goods Park, including everything from driving directions to public transportation to prohibited items, click here

 

Two soccer tournaments will be taking place on the fields complex on July 4th 2008. For 4th Fest, portions of the Dick's Sporting Goods Park field complex will be open to fans to sit on for the fireworks show after the tournaments end! Activities will be taking place on the fields complex all day, but the fields will be open for fans to roam around on and sit on after dark for the fireworks!

 

Following the game, the Rapids and Commerce City will treat fans to the biggest and most explosive fireworks show in the state! The fireworks will be shot from the area north of the stadium, so they will be viewable for both fans inside the stadium and those outside on the fields complex. The show will feature 10-inch shells, the biggest by almost double of any other show in the Denver area! Fans in certain sections inside the stadium will also get the exclusive chance to watch the show from down on the grass of the actual stadium field itself! The fireworks show will begin approximately at 10pm.

 

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 biggest, best and most explosive display in Colorado!

 

It's a Rapids tradition: at halftime of every game on the 4th of July, the Rapids host their yearly "Mascot Challenge" game! What is it? Only one of the most eagerly-anticipated halftime shows of the year, as a bunch of mascots from around Colorado and the world take part in the zaniest soccer game you've ever seen! It's a no-holds barred match that fans won't want to miss! And look out for a special theme and surprise guest appearance at this year's halftime event!

 

The Rapids will be providing live bands on the Rapids stage outside the south end of the stadium as part of the festival! Scheduled to perform are:

 

6-7:15pm: The Aquasonics

7:45-9:45pm: That Eighties Band

 

The Aquasonics specialize in a pretty straightforward brand of instrumental surf. The flittering guitar is hanging 10 on the tip of the board, the high-hat-heavy drums are teetering on the back, and the massive reverb is the wax that keeps the feet firmly planted - on the board and in another era. Their sunny music doesn't make too many waves, but it's always good for anachronistic whiplash - and a temporary vacation from Colorado weather.

 

Denver is home to That Eighties Band, one of the hottest and most unique 80's tribute bands in America! Consisting of some of Colorado's most well-known musicians, they will dazzle you with their powerful sound and stage show. That Eighties Band plays all the great music that the decade has to offer. The end result is a show that any eighties fan is sure to love!

 

Postgame Concert:

Also scheduled to appear, on a specially constructed stage inside the stadium following the game are Denver's own local favorite, Opie Gone Bad!  Be there to experience them in concert following the Rapids game and before the fireworks begin on the North side of the field at approximately 9:40pm!

 

One of the Rocky Mountain region's most durable and influential bands, Opie Gone Bad has been showing people a good time for over ten years. Jake Schroeder's husky baritone fronts an eclectic band that blends guitar-driven rock with a powerhouse funk rhythm section. The shows are energetic events aimed at giving fans tired legs and big smiles. The band has toured nationally many times and consistently plays to packed venues. OGB is a proud advocate of the D.I.Y. ethic as an indie band. The band takes great pride in helping the Denver community by playing shows for many local charitable organizations and events. 

 

MATCH PREVIEW: RAPIDS VS. N.Y. RED BULLS
The Rapids will be taking on the New York Red Bulls this 4th of July, and the 2 teams are meeting for the first time this season. The Rapids also have played every single 4th of July match in history at home; they have never played on the road on Independence Day.

 

On this 13th annual Fourth of July home game for the Rapids, they face off against New York in MLS action with kickoff starting at 7:30pm. Colorado will look to continue their dominating record on Independence Day; your Rapids hold a 10-1-1 all time record on games played on the 4th of July. For the full match preview of the game, visit ColoradoRapids.com as the game approaches!

 

Fans holding Rapids game tickets: Fans with Rapids game tickets should access Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on July 4th via the entrances at 60th and Quebec or 64th and Quebec; this will be the best way to avoid traffic. Fans holding game tickets will be able to park in Parking Lots A, AA, B, BB, C, D, F, or the VIP lots.

 

Fans not holding Rapids game tickets: Fans who do not hold a Rapids game ticket should access Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on July 4th via the entrances on 56th and Valentia or 60th and Quebec; this will be the best way to avoid traffic. You will be able to park in the dirt lots located at either 56th and Valentia St. or 64th and Quebec Streets.

 

The festival outside the stadium will be free for fans to attend all day. There is also no charge for fans taking public transportation or walking onto the complex.

 

Items that will be prohibited at 4th Fest include, but are not limited to:

-animals or pets

-sparklers, firecrackers or fireworks of any kind

-open flames

-alcohol

-grills with open flame are prohibited (Propane grills are allowed in designated tailgating areas only)

-stakes driven into the ground

-weapons of any kind

-illegal drugs

-un-approved pamphlets, advertisements, or handouts

-selling or distributing of any goods or services without prior consent from the Rapids

-no overnight camping will be permitted

 

RAPIDS ON THE 4TH: A COLORADO TRADITION
The Rapids' annual July 4 match and fireworks display has become a phenomenon over the years, as the extravaganza has become legendary both in Colorado and around the nation, with more and more fans each year attending what has become one of the premier entertainment events anywhere.

 

Widely recognized as the biggest and best celebration of America's birthday in the state of Colorado, the Rapids' 13th Annual 4th of July Game & Extravaganza promises to be even bigger and better than in years past, and will celebrate the last 13 years of the best independence day event in the Centennial State!

 

Propane grills are allowed for tailgaiting in the paved parking lots. Respect your fellow fans by only occupying one parking space and using the space directly behind your vehicle or in adjacent landscape areas to tailgate.

 

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for the Rapids' match vs. New York are on sale now! Fans will need to hold a Rapids game ticket to enter the stadium at any time during the day. All guests who are 3 years of age or older require a game ticket to enter the stadium.

 

This event is one of the most popular games of the entire season, and will sell out soon, so make sure to get your tickets early! To purchase your tickets now, call the Rapids at (303) 825-GOAL or click here!

 

The Rapids are coordinating food, drink, and merchandise vendors to be on-site outside the stadium at the festival! Stands are available to be selling all kinds of items, and all vendors must be pre-registered. If you are a prospective vendor and have questions about how you can reserve a spot at 4th Fest, call the Rapids at (303) 825-GOAL.

 

WEATHER
As with all MLS games, the Rapids' 4th of July game and fireworks show will go on regardless of weather. Rapids games and fireworks shows will not be cancelled except in the event of severe lightning or tornadoes. So plan on being there, rain or shine!

 

From 9am-noon, the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge will be hosting their annual "Wild Walk". Take part in this 5K and 3 mile walk through the wildlife refuge's trails along lakes, through prairie and woodlands! Walks start every hour and there are prizes for all participants. Participants should enter the refuge at 56th and Havana. Space is limited! For more info., click here or call (303) 289-0930.

 

The Colorado Rapids strongly encourage all fans who have pre-ordered their tickets to pick them up at Will-Call prior to the 4th of July; don't wait until the day of the event to pick up your tickets! Fans can pick up their Will-Call tickets any time at the stadium's West Box Office, which is open 9am-5pm M-F and on Rapids gamedays.

 

Rapids Spotlight