EAGLE COUNTY, Colorado — Curling up on a blanket and watching fireworks on the Fourth of July can make a person feel like part of a Norman Rockwell painting.

The Eagle Valley has plenty of classic American fun to go around — From a kids bike parade in Eagle to a ‘Cowboy Style' celebration in Vail to fireworks all over Eagle County.

Early forecasts call for nice weather on Saturday, July 4. As of Monday, forecasts were calling for a partly sunny day with a high near 82 degrees, said meteorologist Matthew Aleksa with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.

As fireworks explode in Eagle County skies, viewers can expect a mostly cloudy night with lows around 50, early forecasts claimed.

As for Friday, July 3, forecasters predicted a chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms with a high of 81 degrees. At night, the chance of showers continues with lows dipping to 51.

Read on for a list of Independence Day events throughout Eagle County

Eagle

Those cute kids will dress up their wheels on Saturday for the annual 4th of July bike parade. They'll leave Brush Creek Park at 8:30 a.m. and head for Eagle Town Park. Kids should get there by 8:15 a.m. with their bikes ready.

Games, treats and prizes will be waiting at Eagle Town Park.

At 10 p.m. Towns of Eagle and Gypsum and Eagle County will light up the Eagle County Fair Grounds for downvalley spectators.

Contact Mary Boyd at 328-9455 for more information on the downvalley bike parade.

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The Dusty Boot restaurant at 1099 Capitol St. plans a weekend-long barbecue celebration on the patio. On Friday, July 3, live music starts at 5 p.m. timed with a crawfish boil. On Saturday, July 4, Eagle County rock band Hustle performs from 6 to 9 p.m. during the crawfish boil. Live music on Sunday, July 5, is set for 3 to 6 p.m. A bounce castle will entertain children throughout the weekend. There is no cover charge. For more information, call the eatery at 970-328-7002 or visit www.dustyboot.com.

Gypsum

Break out your lawn chairs on Friday, July 3, and head to Gypsum for an outdoor concert. Local funk-rock band In the Pocket plans to perform. The free show starts at 7 p.m. at Lundgren Theater. Nosh on free hot dogs beginning at 7 p.m. and enjoy an apple pie baking contest at 7:30 p.m. An outdoor showing of the animated mouse movie “An American Tail” starts at dusk.

For more information, contact Dawn Ritts at 970-524-1740.

Wolcott

Live music at the Wolcott Yacht Club will usher in July 4th. Denver reggae band Healing Force plays on Friday, July 3, from 5 to 9 p.m. Cover charge is $3. On Saturday, July 4, Denver's the Ricky Earl Band performs from 4 to 8 p.m. A Caribbean beach party also includes a buffet and special menu. No cover charge applies on Saturday. For more information, contact the restaurant at 970-926-3444. The Wolcott Yacht Club stands at 27190 Highway 6 in Wolcott.

Avon

Avon's big ka-BOOM! in Nottingham Park

With more than 10,000 shells bursting over Nottingham Lake, Avon's firework show is the biggest in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, and it's choreographed to music that will play on KZYR 97.7.

Leave your alcohol and pets at home, and bring your family and blankets to Harry A. Nottingham Park on Friday, July 3.

There will be more than 30 vendors, and live music. Local band Blue Zilla will play at 6 p.m. and Foghat will follow at 8.

As usual, they'll have a family fun zone with face painting, balloons, bouncy toys, and carnival games.

For the big kids, there's a beer garden on the main soccer field.

The fireworks will burst come 9:45 p.m.

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Avon's Fourth of July schedule for Friday, July 3 in Nottingham Park

5 p.m. Vendors open

5-9 p.m. Family Fun Zone

6 p.m. Local band Blue Zilla

8 p.m. Foghat

9 p.m. Fireworks

10:30 p.m. Fireworks finish

Call 970-748-4000 or visit www.avon.org

Beaver Creek

Seafood at Beano's and beats on the back lawn

At 11:00 a.m. on the fourth, Beaver Creek will begin their 17th annual Fourth of July “Clambake at Beano's Cabin.”

Lawn games, a barbecue, seafood, and live entertainment make this an original Independence Day celebration.

Plus, there will be mac and cheese and chicken strips for the kiddies.

Reservations are required for the Clambake.

The cost is $55 for adults and $25 for kids. Call 970-754-3463 for ticket info.

After the Clambake, Beaver Creek will open their back lawn, at the base of the Centennial Express Chairlift, for an evening of live music.

Alto Reed's Blues Entourage, featuring Alto Reed from the Bob Seger Band and George Terry, guitarist for Eric Clapton, will play at 6 p.m. on the Beaver Creek lawn, at the base of the Centennial Express Lift (#6).

The legendary Nevill Brothers will follow at 7:45 p.m.

At 9:15 p.m. there will be a firework display over Beaver Creek Mountain.

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Beaver Creek Fourth of July schedule

Saturday

11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Clambake

5 p.m. Concert gates open

6 p.m. Alto Reed's Blues Entourage

7:45 p.m. The Neville Brothers

9:15 p.m. Fireworks

Other Events

Thurs. July 2nd

5 p.m. Beaver Creek Rodeo Series

8 p.m. Blood Sweat & Tears with Chuck Negron, Beaver Creek Village call 800-920-2787.

Minturn

Minturn is keepin' it miniature

Holding off on the fireworks, Minturn celebrates in modest style.

There will be an afternoon concert and picnic from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday at Little Beach Park.

The Tobacco Road Band with Scotty Cash will play, the Gourmet Cowboy will provide the food, and there will also be face painting and balloons.

Call 970- 827-5645 or visit www.minturn.org

Vail

Vail America Days rides ‘Cowboy Style'

Vail will host its 25th Vail America Days Parade from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday. The theme is “Cowboy Style,” so the floats will reflect the wild west.

“The parade is nice because it includes everybody,” said Laurie Asmussen, organizer for Vail America Days.

“Its been going on almost since Vail became Vail,” she said, “when it was started by the locals.”

“The parade keeps its grass root base, and anyone can participate ... We have new entries and people that have been here for years,” she said, “You know Packy Walker will show up wearing something fun that will help us poke some fun at ourselves.”

Since it is such a strong tradition it always ends up being a great time for visitors and locals.

“Plus people come into Vail from other parts of the valley who usually might not,” she said.

The parade will travel from Golden Peak, through Vail Village, and will finish in Lionshead. For more information on the parade route visit www.vailgov.com.

After the parade the day will progress with street entertainment in both Lionshead and Vail Village until 5 p.m.

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra will perform for the annual patriotic concert at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater at 2 p.m.

One hundred percent of the concert's ticket sales will be donated to the Vail Veteren's Program in memory of Jack Kemp.

Tickets for the patriotic concert will be available to walk-up customers only at the Ford Amphitheater box office, beginning July first at 11 a.m.

The fireworks will go off at Golden Peak in Vail at 9:30 at night.

The Vail Police Department enforce a town-wide curfew for unsupervised kids under the age of 18 after 10:30 p.m., and after this time, those under 21 will not be allowed into a special event district covering a four-block area in Vail Village

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Vail America Days Schedule

Saturday

10 a.m. Parade from Golden Peak to Lionshead.

1 p.m. Inner City Educational Foundation & Washington prep jazz & marching band in Lionshead.

12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Street Entertainment in Lionshead and Vail Village.

2 p.m. Patriotic Concert in Ford Amphitheater Call 970-476-5612 for ticket info.

9:30 p.m. Fireworks at Golden Peak in Vail (conditions permitting).

Other Attractions

8 a.m. - Noon. Vail Public Library Bake Sale, West Meadow Drive in Vail.

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Vail Public Library Book Sale, West Meadow Drive.

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Vail Lacrosse Shootout.

10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Eagle Bahn Gondola, Lionshead (free after 4).

10:30 a.m. Betty Ford Alpine Gardens Tour, Ford Park.

Sunday, July 5

12 to 3 p.m. Jazz at the Market with Tony Gulizia Trio at East Meadow Drive in Vail Village.

2 p.m. Love, American Style: Skating Show at Dobson Arena.

Other attractions

8 a.m. La Sportiva Hill Climb, Vail Village.

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Vail Lacrosse Shootout.

10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Vail Farmers' Market, East Meadow Drive.

10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Eagle Bahn Gondola, Lionshead.

11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Vail Public Library Book Sale, West Meadow Drive.

11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Street Entertainment, Lionshead and Vail Village.

Call 970-476-4790 or visit www.vail.com