Golden preps for a roaring good time

At least 500 hours of volunteer time is dedicated to planning Golden’s Fourth of July celebration.

But it’s worth it because everyone has a good time, said Tim Pasquarelli, first vice president of the Golden Lions Club and chair of the Fourth of July committee.

“People enjoy the tradition and history,” he said.

This year’s celebration begins at 11 a.m., when food vending opens, and ends with the fireworks display, which will begin somewhere near 9:30 p.m. at Lions Park, 1300 10th St.

The event is free with fun activities for the whole family, Pasquarelli said.

Children can enjoy bounce castles and face painting. Adults 21 years and older can order beverages from the beer garden. And everyone enjoys the selection of food provided by the American Legion Post 21.

“You can smell it from all over the park, so people head right for it,” said Diane Neville, club manager for American Legion Post 21.

The post will be grilling hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, bratwursts and barbecue beef sandwiches.

The sandwiches go “almost instantly,” Neville said. “You better get there early for one of those.”

People can purchase the American Legion’s food, Pasquarelli said, but are also allowed to bring their own food to the event. The park has a few barbecue grills for use.

Live music will be performed all day. All bands are local to the Denver area and include: the Delta Sonics, performing blues music from noon-2:30 p.m.; Chuck Hughes, performing rock-a-billy from 3-6 p.m.; and Union Gray, performing country music from 6:30-9:30 p.m.

This year is the 44th year the Golden Lions Club has helped sponsor and organize the Fourth of July celebration. Golden is a community-oriented town, Pasquarelli said, and it’s the community that helps make the event successful.

People contribute to the efforts with every raffle ticket they purchase, Pasquarelli said. In addition, all the raffle prizes are donated by Golden merchants.

Raffle tickets will be available from 9 a.m. to noon Saturdays at the following locations: King Soopers, 17171 South Golden Road; Windy Saddle Caf , 1110 Washington Ave.; Meyer Hardware, 1103 Arapahoe St.; and the Golden Farmers’ Market, 1019 10th St. More can also be purchased at the Fourth of July celebration.

Pasquarelli expects a crowd of a couple thousand people.

“All the town watches this unfold,” he said. “It’s a pretty big deal in Golden –; and it has been for a number of years.”

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