An eager crowd gathered in Boyle Park well before dusk in anticipation of the annual fireworks display.
The display brought together about 200 visitors and locals who were impressed by the Mancos Fire District's display.
"Mancos don't joke around," shouted one man from the crowd, as the fireworks lit up the sky across the field at Boyle Park.
A late-afternoon thunderstorm had threatened to put a damper on the celebrations throughout the area but brought less than an inch of rain to the area.
Ten-year resident Mark Rahner and his wife came to the celebrations for the first time in many years.
"It's pretty awesome for a small town," he said.
Dan Brooks and his family were visiting from Farmington to go camping. He said he has come to the area for more than 40 years, but this was the family's first time to the fireworks display.
"What a turnout! This is great," he said.
Ann Schneider, visiting from Phoenix, found it particularly touching when the crowd began to sing when the speaker system cut out during The Star Spangled Banner.
"This felt like the first Fourth of July in a long time," she said.
The fireworks display was made possible by community donations. The National Honors Society was specifically thanked during the ceremony for its contributions.