Presented by United Power and the Coal Creek Canyon Improvement Association, Coal Creek Canyon residents celebrated the Fourth Annual Fourth of July event at the Coal Creek Hall from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event started bright and early for pancakes, followed by a parade

The rest of the day featured live music, games, delicious all-American lunch, beers, and sodas. More than 10 local vendors sold their art, crafts, and wellness products.

The pancake breakfast ran from 7 to 10 a.m. and included pancakes, sausage, and eggs with coffee and orange juice. Members paid $10, non-members $12, and kids $5. By 9 a.m., the hall was packed with people with a line at the breakfast counter.

Bruce Goodwin, chief chef and bottle washer, helped organize the event. He said that all the proceeds from the event go to scholarships. This past month, the Association has given out $6,000 in scholarships to five students.

Other servers at the event included Ann Marie Maryou, Norma Cassin, Steve Shelton cooking the sausages, Tammy, Moe and Chuck Drouillard, Caron Huffman, Jeannie Ney and Cub Scouts from Pack 51. Treasurer Chuck Bergerinc took in the cash with Ashley Roberts.

Vendor Booths opened at 9 a.m. selling artwork, baked goods, and crafts.

The Parade began at 10 a.m. from Tunnel 19 Road, then went along Gross Dam Road to the CCCIA Hall. It started with individual walkers and marchers who came pouring down the road, followed by the Cub Scouts carrying the U.S. Flag. The Parade Marshal followed waving to the crowd from a convertible.

Several antique cars showed their beauty and mini horses trotted by. The fire engines astounded the crowd and threw candy. One sprayed the crowd with its powerful water hose.

Lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. offered an All-American meal with options for vegetarians. Refreshing beer was sold with water and soda.

Following the national anthem and raising of the flag by the Cub Scouts, live music ran from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event featured games and activities for all ages, along with the Cornhole tournament.

Sponsors were United Power, Advantage Self Storage, Denver Water, Worth Clark Realty, Whispering Pines Church, Locavore Delivery, Attorney at Law Tamra K. Waltemath, Canyon Liquors, Mountain Aire Hair Salon, Canyon Tavern, Wondervu Café, Benchmark Land Care, Mountain Messenger, Golden Chamber of Commerce, Columbia Sanitary & Columbia Potties for the Rockies, Hands Hoofs & Paws, Busey Brews, Intuition Massage, Canyon Coffee and Strong Water.

For more information about the Coal Creek Canyon Improvement Association go to www.CCCIA Coal Creek Canyon Improvement Association.