Snowmass will be rocking Thursday night, July 2, with some highly energized funk delivered by Karl Denson's Tiny Universe that kicks off the summer of free music series and 4th of July weekend. The free concert will start at 6:15 p.m. on Fanny Hill followed by an Independence Day fireworks show at 9 p.m.

For kids, the day starts even earlier, with a free Kids Krafts program before the concert from 4-5 p.m., in the Treehouse Kids' Adventure Center.

On July 4th proper, kids should head to the Snowmass Mall for a special children's parade beginning at 8:45 a.m. (though line-up starts at 8:30 a.m.). This new Snowmass tradition offers prizes for best decorated bike and best patriotic costume.

Adults and kids alike can take part in a small town, old fashioned pie-eating contest at 9:15 a.m.

Organizer Rhonda Coxon said the early start of both events allows attendees to head to Aspen for its noon parade, if so desired.

But back to Thursday: Bring your low lawn chairs, picnic baskets and blankets and enjoy some great mountain music on July 2 with Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, a band that's always well-received here and one that's led by former Lenny Kravitz sax man Denson. The Tiny Universe includes guitarist Brian Jordan, bassist Ron Johnson, keyboard player David Veith, trumpet player Chris Littlefield and drummer John Staten.

The kick-off to the free Fanny Hill series has being promoted as “Fridays Start on Thursday in Snowmass,” a way for the Village to start their weekend on the right note. The rest of the Thursday night series line-up, which begin each week at 6:15 p.m. include these artists:

• July 9, Cyril Neville

• July 16, Iguanas

• July 23, Band of Heathens

• July 30, Ryan Shaw

• Aug. 6, Trombone Shorty