Thousands of residents and visitors gathered at Lake Estes on Friday night to celebrate Independence Day with a dazzling fireworks display that lit up the sky over the Rockies.

The town’s annual Fourth of July celebration capped off a full day of patriotic festivities. The highlight of the evening was a 25-minute, 1,800-shot fireworks show launched from Fisherman’s Nook at Lake Estes, drawing crowds who lined the four-mile shoreline with lawn chairs and blankets.

Earlier in the day, American Legion Post 119 hosted a classic car show featuring vintage and specialty vehicles.

The Estes Park Village Band performed a free patriotic concert at Performance Park, and just across town at the Events Complex, the “Big Bang!” concert energized the evening with a performance by The Long Run, a popular Eagles tribute band. Gates opened at 6 p.m., with food, beer and wine available.

Estes Park’s free shuttles helped to manage large crowds to help manage the surge in visitors. Police and town staff reported smooth operations with no major incidents; text alerts kept attendees informed of parking and traffic conditions.Fireworks