SOUTH FORK - With summer underway now, it is time to mark the calendar and make plans for the annual Third of July celebration in South Fork. This event is a wonderful way to stretch out the Independence Day holiday. 

On July 3, the Town of South Fork will have multiple events, including rodeos, vendor markets, a parade, and much more. As the warm summer day fades into the cooler summer night, the town will set off their annual fireworks - weather and conditions pending - and celebrate Independence Day in South Fork style. 

This year, the Town of South Fork is preparing for yet another wonderful day filled with everything that makes a small mountain town in Colorado the perfect place to celebrate everything American. From catfish fries to farmer’s markets packed with local flair, South Fork will be the place to be on July 3. 

To kick off the celebrations, the South Fork Fire Rescue will be hosting their annual Catfish Fry fundraiser. This event has been a staple in South Fork for many years, bringing crowds of hungry people to the forefront with their generosity and love of a home fried catfish meal with all the fixings. South Fork Fire Rescue goes out of their way to prepare for the event, frying up delicious catfish filets for crowds that exceed 200 or more throughout the early afternoon. 

Vendors from all over the southwestern part of the state set up in the parking lot behind the South Fork Fire building located just south of Highway 160 in South Fork. Vendors offer many different types of arts and crafts and there will be other opportunities to support the men and women who are the first line of defense and aid in South Fork. 

Vendors are open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the Catfish Fry is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Be sure to hop online and get tickets today – visit www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-annual-catfish-fry-fundraiser-tickets-920846485627?aff=FacebookTicket. 

Following the Catfish Fry, guests can wander over to the Frontage Road just on the western edge of town and grab a seat for the annual Third of July parade at 3 p.m. What makes this parade fun is that everyone is invited to participate. Grab that OHV, decorate it to the hilt, and then go sign up with the South Fork Visitor Center to join in on the fun.  

After the parade, there is just enough time to refresh and then head over to the Rickel Rodeo Grounds for the Burris and Sons Rodeo. This event features bucking bulls, mutton busting and all of the top events a rodeo can offer.  

As the night sky slides ever closer to dark be sure to find a favorite spot for the annual firework display put on by the Town of South Fork and South Fork Fire Rescue. The fireworks are shot off from the Rio Grande Club and Resort and can be seen from almost anywhere in town.  

For more information or a full schedule of events, visit www.southfork.org.