Pueblo West Water Parade

On a sunny, 90° Independence Day, what does a town of 30,000 do to stay cool? The answer: they throw a giant water party. The Pueblo West Water Parade occurs annually on the 4th of July and is arguably the proudest tradition that the small metropolitan district offers. Attendees prepare by filling any receptacle they have with gallons of water, including storage containers, truck beds, and trash cans. Squirt guns are rounded up, and vehicles are parked days in advance along the roughly 2-mile section of Joe Martinez Boulevard that acts as the parade route. On Independence Day, chaos ensues as parade-goers spray anything that moves with endless streams of water. Rather than sporting traditional floats, the participants of the parade construct elaborate blinds to hide behind and pedestals from which to snipe those in the crowd. Firefighters use the hoses on their trucks to spray droves of giggling attendants. 

The parade itself owes its inception to firefighters. The tradition began in the seventies when Pueblo West's fire chief, Jack Fowler, was participating in the parade while aboard a fire engine called Brush 1, a vehicle that is still used by the department today. No one knows exactly which year he started it, but it was most likely the late seventies. During this particular parade, over forty years ago, the spectators looked awfully hot and sweaty, so Jack had the bright idea to spray them with the firehose as the truck slowly made its way down the boulevard. This action stuck in the mind of the parade-goers, so each year afterwards, more and more attendees brought their own water and the event developed into a significantly large part of both the Pueblo West culture and the Fowler family culture. According to his daughter, Caitie, "I say every year, standing out there, that it blows my mind how big it gets... Knowing I'm a part of that is amazing. Every year [when Brush 1] goes by, we don't splash or spray, we have a moment of silence for him."

The event is an excellent opportunity to have fun, and for some, a way to remember lost family, but it's also financially significant to local businesses and restaurants, especially those near the parade route. Cafes like Marie's, located at the very end of the circuit, offered parade specials to those who worked up an appetite waging a water war, and attendees were also able to satisfy their hunger at several food trucks that served the after-event at Civic Center Park. Resident Rich Ortiz learned to capitalize on the increased demand for squirt guns by designing and selling his own water cannons constructed from PVC and vinyl wrap. It all started four years ago, when he and two of his friends, Lyle Leonard and Tim Snyder, noticed that the water-shooting options available at stores didn't quite hit the mark when it came to parade-goers' needs. He and his partners used the internet to learn how to make water cannons, and "Streamin' Demon Water Blasters" were born. Each year, Ortiz and his team have made custom modifications to their design and now boast a product that will shoot over 45 feet, which is perfect for blasting an unsuspecting stranger across the street with a relentless stream of water. "We [want to] make sure everyone who purchases a Screamin' Demon Water Blaster will have a smile on their face as they are putting out an insane amount of water!" he chuckled. This year, Ortiz and his team crafted and sold a grand total of 152 water blasters for the parade, and his wares were a noticeable staple of Tuesday's celebration.

The Pueblo West Metropolitan District website characterizes the parade as the "largest water fight west of the Mississippi," a claim that's proven true before one even arrives at the parade. Parade-goers have to navigate vast stretches of traffic, whether they're traveling from Pueblo, Canon City, or merely a few blocks from the parade route. As soon as you're finished searching for a spot to park and wandering past thousands of cars to join the sea of people lining the street, you're officially the target of thousands of ruthless water warriors. Good luck! 

Attendees wage water war on each other as they wait for the parade to begin. Some bathing suit-clad participants engage in close combat, while others prefer to shoot from the sidelines.

A sixth-generation Labradoodle was one of the parade participants this year. She especially enjoyed "singing along" with the sirens that were blaring as part of the show. "She always howls with the sirens, and now she knows where that noise comes from!" her owner mused.

The occupants of the A Caring Pregnancy Center float look a little too dry for a wet parade, however, they were part of the "Dry Section," where water is forbidden. Pageant winners and classic car drivers who are being featured in the parade also choose to participate within this section. 

A young parade-goer proves that "small" does not always equate to "weak," at least when you're packing the right heat. The stream of water that left his water cannon managed to travel across the street and splash an unsuspecting woman in the left cheek. 

Anyone within 150 feet of the parade route is fair game to be blasted with water, including those with cameras. 

A firefighter perched atop Engine 4 utilizes the perks of his job by spraying the already-soaked attendants with his high-capacity hose and an almost endless water supply.

Subtly emulating the Beatles' Abbey Road photoshoot, dripping participants actually become part of the parade as they make their way down Joe Martinez Boulevard. Anyone occupying the street is a popular target.