Monday is Independence Day, and there is a weekend full of events to celebrate, followed by the big parade and events in Bayfield on Monday.

Arboles will host its Independence Day parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, starting at the Piedra Park General Store, followed by festival events. Warning, watching this parade usually involves getting wet!

Navajo State Park will host a "Flag Tag" event, featuring friendly competition at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Visitors' Center pavilion.

Navajo State Park will host an archery class for youngsters, 6 years old and up from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday at the amphitheater. All equipment and instruction are provided.

On Monday, visitors to Navajo can cool off with a water balloon fight at noon at the pavilion.

All the activities are free with the purchase of a daily park pass which cost $7 per vehicle. An annual pass is $70. For more information, call the park at 883-2208.

Navajo State Park, located along Colorado High 151 southwest of Pagosa Springs, offers more than 100 camp sites, many with full hook-ups, and three cabins are available to rent. To reserve a camp spot or cabin, go to the reservation section of the CPW web site at http://coloradostateparks.reserveamerica.com.

The Vallecito Service League will have its "best art fair by a dam site" from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in the meadow below the dam. A bake sale also will be held.

Vallecito's fireworks will be Saturday night at dusk.

This year's theme for the celebrations on Monday in Bayfield is "Salute to Freedom."

7 to 10 a.m.: Bayfield Lions Club annual pancake breakfast.

8 a.m.: Calvary Presbyterian Church pie and craft sale.

8 a.m.: Firecracker 5K run and family walk sponsored by the La Plata Family Centers Coalition. Registration available before the race at Joe Stephenson Park.

9:45 A.M.: Mill Street Drug pet parade.

10 a.m.: Bayfield 4th of July parade.

11 a.m.: Festivities in Joe Stephenson Park, including kids' carnival, water games, Southwest Ag pedal carts, vendors and more.

11 a.m.: Anthem Coed 4v4 volleyball tournament sponsored by BHS girls volleyball.

Noon: Serranos' annual horseshoe tournament in Eagle Park.

1 p.m.: Corn hole tournament in the Pine River Valley Rotary beer tent.

2 p.m.: Duck race sponsored by BHS FOR Club.

Dusk: First National Bank of Durango firework show in the park.

Local favorite Wild Country will play from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. in the park.

Parking in Bayfield is available at Bayfield Elementary School, Bayfield Church of Christ and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, with shuttles to and from downtown before and after the parade.

For more information, call 884-9544 or visit www.bayfieldgov.org.