Fort Carson holds delayed 4th of July celebration

This year’s Independence Day celebration at Fort Carson didn’t happen until Labor Day, but for spectators it was better late than never.

“The 4th on the 3rd” was the new title given to Fort Carson’s annual Fourth of July celebration this year. Thousands of people attended the event held Monday evening at the post’s Iron Horse Park.

The annual event was rescheduled from its July 4 cancellation because of the high fire danger during and after the Waldo Canyon Fire. The four-hour event ended with the fireworks show that many people did not get to see because of the earlier cancellation.

Spectators lined up for food, games and contests. Musical entertainment was provided by “High Altitude”, a band made up of members from the 4th Infantry Division.

The only problem noticed was a lack of food vendors, which meant long waits for customers but steady business for the participating vendors. A Fort Carson spokeswoman said many vendors who would have worked on July 4 made other plans for the Labor Day weekend.

Staff Sergeant Joshua Afaifen said he was happy that the celebration was held and not canceled entirely.

“With the federal holiday, I had a four-day weekend,” he said while holding his infant son, Tristan. “I was able to bring my family here, and to the Balloon Classic. It just allowed me to spend more time with my family.”