Fireworks display begins on Sunday night after the Rapids take on Houston

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Friday, July 1, 2011) – This Sunday, July 3, the Colorado Rapids and Commerce City will host the 16th annual 4thFest, an Independence Day celebration at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. This year’s 4thFest, presented by Westerra Credit Union, features a community festival before the Rapids take on the Houston Dynamo and one of the largest fireworks shows in the state afterwards.

The festival begins at 5:00 pm, and will be hosted in the Dick’s Sporting Goods Park parking lots, with live music starting at 6:00 p.m. and will running through the end of the game. The match between the Rapids and Dynamo, presented by HealthONE, kicks off at 7:00 p.m., and the fireworks will begin shortly after the game finishes.

For the past 15 seasons, the Rapids have played an Independence Day match and tallied an 11-2-2 record. Eight of those games have ended in dramatic fashion with the game winning goal coming in the 69th minute or later. The Rapids defeated Houston in Texas earlier this season, with late-game heroics from Scott Palguta to secure the win.

Tickets to the Rapids and Houston Dynamo matchup are still available by visiting www.ColoradoRapids.com or by calling 303-825-GOAL.

WHAT: 16th Annual 4thFest Celebration

WHEN: Sunday, July 3

5:00 – Outdoor festival, including adult and family activities, begins outside the south end of Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

6:00 – Live music begins on the stage outside the Cantina

7:00 – Colorado Rapids take on the Houston Dynamo

9:20 – Fireworks show begins, with viewing areas inside the stadium and in parking lots around the stadium

WHERE: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

6000 Victory Way

Commerce City, CO 80022

MATCH TICKETS: www.ColoradoRapids.com, 303-825-GOAL