But no matter if you want to stay close to home in Denver or venture to a new destination in Colorado, here are few alternative ideas for the day and night that would add a spark to anyone’s Fourth of July weekend this year! (And some of them are free!)

Be outdoorsy! Being a Colorado resident does not necessarily mean that you frequent the mountains. So this Fourth of July weekend, experienced camper or not- go camping! Traveling to sites like Clear Creek County, El Dorado Canyon State Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park are all great excuses to get away from novelty parties in the city.

If you are not in the mood for camping, but still want to get a way from the city try heading up to any popular winter ski destination, which have summer activities that are just as fun as their winter ones! Stop by Vail to get your sports fix and watch elite college men and women duke it out in the 2010 annual Vail Lacrosse Shootout. If you have time for a longer trek, you can head over to Aspen for an old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration including a free evening concert, or drive up to Steamboat for their Fourth of July Cowboys’ Round-Up Days and enjoy a taste of the wild west with their pro rodeo and cattle drive. Even Estes Park has great activities for this popular holiday weekend including a Classic Car show and Arabian horse show.

Although Red Rocks is a popular summer hot spot, what would be a better night than the Fourth of July to enjoy this venue? Even though the ticket may cost more than what you would usually pay for some 4th festivities, tailgating and being able to see nearly every fire works show in Denver thanks to Red Rock’s outrageous views will definitely be worth it! This year the Blue’s Traveler’s with Rebelution are set to play.

And even if you want to stay close to home this year for the Fourth, you can still avoid the masses of red, white, and blue and check out events in and around Denver. To kick off the weekend journey to the Denver Zoo, where they will be hosting a “zoo-li-cious” ice cream social for zoo members and their guests. At this event you can walk around the zoo, ice cream in hand, while learning more about global conservation efforts in effect for each animal. But if free ice cream and animals just aren’t your thing than head over to the Creek Arts Festival. This, being one of my favorite events for the summer, showcases visual, culinary and performing arts of local artists in the streets of Cherry Creek North.

But just in case you still want to stick to something inherently American, there are fireworks throughout Denver and surrounding areas that will take place all the way through the Holiday Weekend. Happy Independence Day Colorado!

2.    The Return of White. Since Memorial Day marks the strange, socially constructed day in which it’s no longer considered a fashion faux-pas to don white jeans, purses, shoes, etc., it’s a cruel irony that this day is also marked by one of the biggest barbeque weekends of the year. Translation: me + white jeans + delicious, saucy (and slippery) hot wings = a disaster. Nonetheless, this ill-fated equation never keeps me from mixing the two. Bring it on, 2010.

3.    Wash Park. If you don’t live in Denver this means nothing to you. However, for those who are lucky enough to call the Mile High City home, Wash Park is the definition of summertime in Denver. Every weekend the park is packed with Denverites playing volleyball, walking their dogs, playing corn hole and simply spending time outside enjoying the ideal Denver weather.

And, since Memorial Day is the time to give thanks to all those who gave their lives fighting for our country, we should all take a moment in between all of the barbequing, vacationing and enjoying white clothing for some much-deserved memoralizing of our country’s incredibly brave soldiers.

1. Go to a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater.  The views and acoustics at Red Rocks are unforgettable – this is a must!

2. Visit the Denver Zoo. Who doesn’t love a yearly visit to the Zoo? Denver’s Zoo is pretty impressive and offers shows and demonstrations during the summer.

3. Explore Estes Park. From kayaking and biking to hiking and climbing, Estes Park is an outdoor-lovers paradise!

4. Catch a Rockies game at Coors Field.  Winning or losing, the Colorado Rockies are a hit in the summer.  Beer, hot dogs, and sunshine make for a great afternoon at the ball park!

5. Patio Happy Hours. Need I explain?! My favorite spot: The Rio.

Denver city officials, local media, the building’s developers and a healthy dose of Turner were present at the topping ceremony that saw the Four Seasons’ 75-foot “mast” get lifted slowly from the ground to the top of the building.

The sight itself would have been enough for most people, but the Four Seasons took it a step further by inviting all attendees to sign the mast itself. Permanent markers were passed around and after a few minutes of giddy scrawling, the freshly autographed mast was ready to be borne away.

We retreated across the street for a better look while others sought a view from a higher perch. Passersby saw the assembly of people and watched as well. I’d like to think that everyone in Denver stopped typing/eating/jaywalking to watch the mast get lifted in the air – but I’m a silly romantic.

Check it out:

Big thanks to Turnerite Kristin Rust for the pics above. And thanks to everyone who took time out of your busy mornings to contribute your name to a piece of history that will forever change the Denver skyline! Tell your grandchildren!

(For the record, I included my Twitter username beneath my name. Yes, I was the only one. Yes, I’m a nerd.)