Star-Spangled Sterling: Fireworks, Fairs & Floaties

If your July plans don’t include dancing downtown, drooling over chrome, and catching fireworks from a lawn chair—are you even summering in Sterling? We’ve got your red-hot rundown of everything sizzling in town this month. Grab your cooler, your crew, and maybe a cowboy hat—it’s go time. This isn’t just summer. This is Sterling summer.

Freedom, Food Trucks & Fireworks—Oh My!

Sterling’s lighting up the Fourth like it means it. Kick things off with the Heritage Festival at the Overland Trail Museum from 10 AM–3 PM, where history meets hands-on fun and old-school charm.

Then slide into your evening flip-flops and head to the Fireworks Jam at the Home Depot parking lot (because nothing says America like fireworks next to power tools). Starting at 5:30 PM, you’ll find live music, food trucks, bounce houses, and enough patriotic energy to make your sparklers jealous. Cap it off with a sky full of fireworks. Boom.

Chrome, Camaraderie & Carburetors: It’s Rod Run Time

From July 11–13, the 33rd Annual Rod Run rolls into Sterling like a dream in candy apple red. Hosted by the Colorado Flatlanders, this three-day classic car lovefest is high-octane fun with a side of small-town heart:

Friday Night: BBQ Meet & Greet at the Elks Lodge—ribs, revs, and reminiscing.
Saturday: The legendary Show & Shine at Pioneer Park. Classic rides, live tunes, food that should probably be illegal, and enough chrome to blind you in the best way.
Sunday: Breakfast, a poker run, and giveaways so epic—think full engines and transmissions—you’ll want to sleep with your raffle ticket under your pillow. (Must be present to win.)

July Jamz: Your Friday Night Groove

Every Friday night through July 25, downtown Sterling turns into the place to be. July Jamz brings free live music, food trucks, local vendors, and a beer garden to the Logan County Courthouse Square from 6–9 PM, thanks to the Logan County Arts League.

Here’s who’s hitting the stage:

July 5 – Ingrid Griffin sets the tone with soulful, Nashville-style singer-songwriter vibes
July 11 – Davey and The Blu Dog crank up high-energy blues and bold guitar grooves
July 18 – Juke Joint Cruisers serve up rockabilly rhythms and retro swagger
July 25 – The McDeviants close it out with Celtic-rock anthems and a pub-worthy party vibe

Bring your lawn chairs, your dance moves, and your Friday night appetite—this is where summer comes alive.

11 Days of Dust, Denim & Daring: The Logan County Fair & Rodeo

From July 24–August 3, Sterling goes full Western. The 2025 Logan County Fair & Rodeo is bigger, louder, and more boot-stompin’ than ever:

Extreme Bull Riding: July 29
PRCA Rodeo: July 31 & August 1
Jo Dee Messina + Clare Dunn concert: August 2
Demolition Derby: August 3 (because why not end the week by smashing cars into each other?)
Plus: Carnival rides, 4-H exhibits, Mutton Bustin’, cotton candy, and county fair chaos in all the best ways.

Grab tickets now before your cousin from Denver beats you to it: lcfair.org

North Sterling State Park: The Splash Scene of the Summer

Are you reel-y living your best summer if you haven’t hit North Sterling State Park? Whether you’re shredding the wake, paddling like a boss, or perfecting the art of lakeside loafing, this is your chill zone.

Boat, paddleboard, fish, or float
Lounge at Cottonwood Cove Beach like it’s your full-time job
Hike, picnic, and vibe along miles of shoreline
Bonus: There’s a marina and rentals, so “I forgot my gear” isn’t an excuse.

Just 15 minutes from downtown—and 15 degrees cooler than your driveway.