Celebrate Three Historic Anniversaries at Lamar’s First Ever Wet & Dry Fourth of July Parade- Here’s what you need to know if you plan to attend!

The Lamar Chamber of Commerce, Frontier Bank, and many generous sponsors are excited to invite everyone to something brand new this Independence Day – Lamar’s first ever Wet & Dry Fourth of July Parade!

This year’s celebration is extra special as we commemorate America’s 250th Birthday, Colorado’s 150th Anniversary, and Lamar’s 140th Anniversary. We hope families from across southeast Colorado will join us for a fun, safe, and memorable celebration. Whether you want to stay dry and simply enjoy the parade or cool off with a friendly water fight, there is a place for everyone.

The parade begins at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, traveling north on Main Street from Walnut Street to Beech Street. Parade participants will line up beforehand at the Lamar Christian Church parking lot.

 

To allow everyone to enjoy the parade their own way, this year’s route will feature both Wet Zones and Dry Zones.

The Wet Zone will extend from Park Street (Bi Centennial Park) to Elm Street (Prowers County Courthouse) on both sides of Main Street. This area is designated for those who want to cool off and enjoy some friendly water fun.

All remaining sections of the parade route will be Dry Zones, allowing families who prefer to stay dry to enjoy the festivities without getting wet.

To make this event enjoyable for everyone, it is important to understand that the parade route and the parade itself are two different things.

The parade route identifies where spectators may use water guns and Super Soakers. The parade itself will also have a Wet Division and a Dry Division. Each division will be led by a clearly marked banner so spectators know which parade entries have chosen to get wet and which have chosen to remain dry.

Think of it this way. The route tells you where spectators may spray water, while the parade divisions tell you which parade entries have chosen to get wet.

Even while traveling through the Wet Zone, we ask everyone to respect the Dry Division of the parade. This includes marching bands, color guards, antique and classic vehicles, horses, parade dignitaries, and any other parade entries that have chosen to remain dry.

Please also refrain from spraying uniformed law enforcement officers or other public safety personnel who are working to keep everyone safe throughout the event.

Leading this year’s parade will be our parade dignitaries, Doug and Linda Harbour, in recognition of their years of dedicated service to our community through the Tri State 9/11 Memorial Tribute. Doug has worked tirelessly for more than a decade to make this meaningful event possible, with Linda by his side every step of the way. Their commitment to honoring our nation’s heroes has touched countless lives throughout southeast Colorado. Thank you, Doug and Linda, for everything you have done for our community.

Thanks to Frontier Bank, kids can pick up a free water squirter beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Bi Centennial Park while supplies last. Distribution is first come, first served and limited  to children.

Need a refill? Thanks to Big R, stock tanks will be placed throughout the Wet Zone and filled with water by the Prowers County Rural Fire Department, giving everyone a convenient place to refill their water guns and keep the fun going.

The fun does not end when the parade is over. Everyone is invited to the Enchanted Forest immediately following the parade for a free community hamburger barbecue hosted by the Lamar Chamber of Commerce. Be sure to stop by the Zonta Club photo booth and capture a Fourth of July memory with your family and friends.

Events like this are only possible because of the incredible generosity of our community.

A sincere thank you to our primary parade sponsor, Frontier Bank, along with Big R, Atmos Energy, Walmart, DeLoach’s Water Conditioning, Zonta Club, the Lamar Chamber of Commerce, Community State Bank, A&B Liquor, RC’s Garage, Napa Auto Parts, Hometown Connections, The Buzzards Nest and the Prowers County Rural Fire Department for their donations, supplies, organization, and volunteer support.

We also gratefully acknowledge our financial sponsors, Valley Ag and Brian Lauritsen, Ranchers Supply Company, the Aguilera Family, SECOM, Prowers Medical Center, High Plains Community Health Center, Colorado Mills, Fellowship Credit Union, and McClave State Bank. Lastly, a big thanks to the City of Lamar, Mayor Crespin and Administrator Mitch Hammes, for helping make all this happen!

We hope everyone will come out and celebrate Independence Day with us as we launch what we hope becomes a fun new Lamar tradition. Bring your family, invite your friends, and enjoy a great day celebrating our country, our state, and our hometown.

Happy Fourth of July, and we’ll see you on Main Street!

Parade Rules

• Water guns and Super Soakers are welcome only within the designated Wet Zone.

• Only clean water is permitted. No colored water, soap, chemicals, beverages, or any

other liquids or substances may be sprayed or thrown.

• Absolutely no water balloons will be permitted anywhere along the parade route.

• Vehicles carrying water may park along Main Street only within the designated Wet

Zone.

•Event staff will be stationed throughout the parade route to answer questions and help

ensure everyone follows the rules.