Members of the Mesa County Search and Rescue team spent their fourth of July climbing Independence Rock at the Colorado National Monument.

It is part of a local tradition where the crew mounts the American flag at the top for everyone to see.

The tradition was started 101 years ago by the first park ranger John Otto.
Now, every year it is an event that locals go to celebrate our country's birthday in a unique way.

Participants in Wednesday's event hiked to Independence Rock and then climbed to the top to mount the flag.

The event took several hours to complete. But spectators sat around at viewing sites all morning and into the afternoon to witness the tradition, and for some it was their first time attending.

"I have always read about it in the newspaper and enjoyed looking at the flag being mounted and looked with wonder and amazement at the people who climb," first timer Deborah Robinson said.

"It's a hard thing to predict because it changes by what day of the week the fourth of July is on," education ranger Briana Board said.

"Of course we're retired so it doesn't matter when we travel but no it's something that's really interesting," new Colorado resident Nick Mesaros said.

Many of the people who showed up for the flag ceremony say they are disappointed that fireworks are banned this year, but that is just an added perk to what this holiday is all about.

Senator Mark Udall also went on the climb Wednesday. He was the one who displayed the American flag from the top of Independence Rock.