Among the first Coloradans to celebrate the Fourth of July were the 400 early risers who set out at 8 a.m. through Denver's Washington Park.

They were part of the fifth annual Liberty Run, Walk and Festival of Rights to benefit the American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado, but a certain political bent wasn't required to participate.

"Runners of all political stripes are welcome," said Laurie Bennett, of Denver, former chair of the organization.

Runners on a four-mile course, followed by walkers on a one-mile course, joined the pack of people walking dogs, in-line skaters and bicyclists.

Many were accessorized patriotically, with red, white and blue the trendiest colors of the morning.

Like the holiday itself, the event was part good time and part political statement.

"To me, the Fourth of July is a patriotic holiday, and I take that very seriously," said Peter Shultz, 76, of Westminster, a former member of the ACLU board who walked the course with his wife, Mary Shultz, 79.

"Today is a celebration of the vision of our nation's founders," he said. "It was a brave statement. If we'd lost, they would have been hanged or shipped back to Europe."

Raft race sparks trash talk

It wasn't exactly the U.S. regatta, but around here, the Fourth of July Mayors Cup Raft Race in Northglenn has just as much clout.

Blowup rafts powered by people representing eight towns including Northglenn pilot the craft around a buoy about 100 yards from the dock. The team with the fastest time wins.

This may seem like a harmless little activity on a day full of frivolous events, but the race had its share of trash talking.

To the winners, a year of bragging rights and a trophy. To the losers, a year of jokes about their rafting skills and a trophy of a horse's back end.

Northglenn Mayor Kathie Novak was the play-by-play announcer and gave the pre-race instruction.

"We ask that you not hit each other with the paddles, but splashing is certainly acceptable," she told the sweating racers.

No one reported being hit or even splashed, but Thornton City Councilman Erik Hansen fell off a raft.

Thornton Councilwoman Sheila Fashimi thinks Hansen didn't understand his role on the team.

"They had asked him to be the anchor of the team, not the anchor of the boat," she said.

The Northglenn team won the race for the first time, prompting Novak to say she should have dropped off the team years ago.

Family Festival at Bandimere

Long before any fireworks went off, smoke filled the air as cars burned rubber on the racetrack at Bandimere Speedway, where crowds gathered to celebrate Independence Day at the 13th annual Family Festival.

The event, hosted by Bandimere Speedway and the Rocky Mountain Family Council, paired dragsters and family activities such as a magic show and pie-eating contests.

The Aldrich family, most of whom once raced at the track, said coming to the Family Festival is an annual event.

"The fireworks here are great," Chris Aldrich, 59, said before mentioning that she used to race a 1959 Cobra.

Standing in front of the baseball toss, Mike Aldrich, 36, who still races a 1989 Ford Mustang, said the kids enjoy the many game booths.

Kids could also get their pictures taken sitting on the bike of Mike Berry, a pro stock motorcyclist for the National Hot Rod Association.

"It's a neat deal coming here on the Fourth of July because it's my home racetrack," said Berry, who is from Littleton.

Barbecue benefits homeless, parents

The live band is jamming, and 3-year-old Phillip Montgomery bobs his head to the beat.

"I like it, it's a good thing," said his grandmother, Sandra Oliver, 56, of the festive environment at the Salvation Army's Downtown Denver Service Center, where 2,000 people were expected to enjoy a Fourth of July barbecue organized by the Samaritan House, Denver Rescue Mission and Volunteers of America.

Homeless men, families, and single parents lined up beginning at 8:30 a.m..

Surrounded by the sounds of laughter and gospel music, Frank Muller, 35, recalled several years ago when he didn't have money to feed his young son, Auston.

"I had spent my last money buying canned spaghetti for my son. I was desperate and pretty low," Muller said.

Muller said he became homeless after losing his $64,000-a-year job and was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his right eye.

Muller said he went through the Salvation Army's Lambuth Center program that helps homeless families become self-sufficient. Five years later, Muller is helping others.

Muller said he worked his way up from being a janitor to program's coordinator.

"Maybe this is what I needed to be doing," he said. "I tell them, 'Yes, we can do this. We all go through hardships in life.' "

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