A busy parade season in Denver means color fills the streets. Again and again.

Saturday marked Independence Day and the 250th birthday for the United States of America. Denverites filled the streets in the Park Hill neighborhood for the annual Fourth of July parade to celebrate.

With many fireworks shows across Colorado and the Denver area being canceled due to wildfire risk, the parade was one of the few remaining events where locals could show up and celebrate Independence Day.

The Fourth of July parade was the third parade in as many weeks for Denver. Two weekends ago was the Juneteenth parade and festival, and last weekend was the Pride parade and celebration. Saturday’s parade kicked off at 1:30 p.m., with marchers going down East 23rd Avenue, starting at the intersection with Dexter Street and ending at Krameria Street.

Participants of all ages included those on foot, in cars or on bikes. It included young dancers, marching bands, politicians and local leaders and comic book characters. The one thing that united everyone was the wash of red, white and blue, as well as the candy, bubblers and stickers being tossed into the crowd.

Onlookers packed the neighborhood streets, sitting under tents and in folding chairs. Some barbecued burgers in their yards as the parade went past.

The weather was perfect and clear, despite some rain chance in the forecast. It was fairly hot, leading many people both watching the parade and marching in it to arm themselves with water guns.

As they drove past, water sprayed into the crowd, with many welcoming the burst of cool water.

The Park Hill parade is the largest Fourth of July parade in Denver and is held in one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. The parade includes marchers from over 50 groups and organizations.