Lois Purtell

NEWS Friday, June 8, 2007 Contact: Mary Huron Hunter, City Media Relations, (303) 441-4959 David Plati, CU Athletics, (303) 303-492-5626 Jen Ibanez, Wright Kingdom Real Estate (303) 541-1928 Community partners present star-studded Independence Day fireworks celebration The annual Fourth of July tradition of watching fireworks sparkle over the skies of Boulder has just gotten brighter for residents and visitors alike. At 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4, Folsom Field will be the site of not only the usual spectacular fireworks display, but an entire family-oriented, sure-to-be-a-blast Independence Day celebration featuring sing-alongs, performances, special guests, balloon artists, and other memorable surprises. The city of Boulder and the University of Colorado (CU), along with sponsors the associates of Wright Kingdom Real Estate, have partnered to produce Ralphie’s Independence Day Blast. Also supported by media sponsors KBCO Radio and the Daily Camera, this year’s fireworks celebration represents a new tradition for a beloved family event. “When KBCO approached me indicating their need to shift out of the business of funding Boulder’s annual fireworks, my staff, along with those from Wright Kingdom, the Boulder Chamber of Commerce, the Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau, CU and other groups enthusiastically stepped up to the plate to brainstorm about how, together, we could continue offering this favorite event to the community,” said City Manager Frank Bruno. “The result was a new partnership that we hope will last well into the future and serve many generations to come.” Vendors will be on hand selling beverages, ice cream and other summer refreshments. GO Boulder, the city’s alternative transportation department, will celebrate the holiday by providing free HOP service from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Event goers can avoid parking hassles by boarding the HOP anywhere along its route for a free ride to and from Folsom Field. In addition, free parking will be available along the HOP route at Boulder’s Twenty Ninth Street retail center, downtown in city parking garages and at all city metered parking spaces. For more information, go to www.dailycamera.com. For HOP routes, go to www.goboulder.net, and for parking information, go to www.bouldercolorado.gov and navigate to “parking services” using the “City A-Z” link. --30-- About Wright Kingdom: http://www.wkre.com