Trevor Phabes
As local towns across the Ute Pass region gear up for the nation’s 250th birthday celebration, a hefty competition has emerged.
Every year, local towns, including the likes of Woodland Park, Green Mountain Falls and Cripple Creek, all compete to see who will put on the best Fourth of July Celebration that draws in the most people.
This year, the city of Cripple Creek recently announced a major move that they hope will set their Fourth of July Celebration for 2026 above the rest. The city stated during a special council meeting that they have approved a first-of-its-kind production to take place on the Fourth in downtown Cripple Creek.
The city will officially welcome a performance by the world famous 1960s British rock band, The Beatles. And no, this won’t be a typical tribute band; the four original Beatles members will be performing as giant holograms on Cripple Creek’s downtown streets.
The move came about as city officials noticed the success of recent local concerts that play cover songs from classic rock bands. “After seeing how many people wanted to hear old bands that many think have been forgotten, we decided to put on a one-of-a-kind hologram show,” Cripple Creek Mayor Ann Duram said. “And since most of the original Beatles members are now either really old or dead, we figured the Beatles would be the perfect draw for the older crowd that frequents our city anyways. This year, we will have The Beatles to accompany what we have always thought is the absolute best fireworks show in the region.”
The show will start during the fireworks celebration, which takes place every year once the sun sets. The performers’ set will then last for three hours as holograms of the famous band will play the majority of their most famous hits.
Local Company Plans to Produce Extravagant Hologram Concert
And according to Duram, the concert will be put on by a local company with no money being paid for the production outside of the county. Duram said that the city has teamed up with the local Bear Cave Production Company (BCPC) who will run the show in its entirety.
“Actually, Tupac gave me the idea,” BCPC CEO Denny Zurell said. “When I saw him rapping on stage well after his death, I said heck if they can do it so can we. That’s when I got the idea to bring back another musical icon and develop a way to hologram-ize the stage presence of one of the world’s most popular bands.”
Zurell said that his company will utilize the highest technology they are capable of to make a production filled with an exciting light show and pyrotechnics. “We just hope that if the town burns down again the residents will have fun while doing it,” Zurell said.
The show will be offered for free to the public. Free beer, champagne and ever clear will be passed out to concert goers as the city plans to let people drink everywhere within city limits. For those who like another buzz, the city’s dispensary will also have a special smoking area set up.
“We plan to bring the biggest Independence Day shindig this place has ever seen,” Zurell said. “You literally would be dumb to even think about spending your Fourth of July anywhere else!”
Happy April Fool’s Day!
