The modern history of Western Days in Monmouth and Independence begins with Monmouth's quirky bid to host the Winter Olympics in the 1970s, a chapter that unfolded against the backdrop of Colorado's withdrawal from the 1976 Winter Games. Colorado Backs Out of Hosting the 1976 Winter Olympics In 1970, Denver, Colorado, was awarded the 1976 Winter Olympics. However, by 1972, concerns over costs, environmental impact, and urban growth led Colorado voters to reject funding. As a result, Colorado became the first place to turn down the Olympics after being selected. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) then chose Innsbruck, Austria, to host the Games. Amid the search for a new host, Monmouth, Oregon, submitted a lighthearted bid to host the Winter Olympics, despite lacking snowy terrain or winter sports facilities. When the IOC ignored their application, the town decided to create its own “Winter Olympics” during the 4th of July celebrations in 1973. The event was organized by the newly formed Monmouth Independence Festival Association, which included representatives from both communities. Recognizing that participants might want a drink— Monmouth was a dry town at the time—this collaboration brought the communities together. The event featured a variety of fun activities, including a shortened version of the modern parade route, a bike race from Falls City, a mini-marathon from Monmouth to Independence, river rafting, frisbee challenges, track and field events, rock skipping on the Willamette, and a dance and concert, culminating in fireworks at Polk Marine (now Riverview) Park in Independence. The summer heat made the playful irony of the Winter Olympics theme even more pronounced. Later hosted by the Monmouth Independence Chamber of Commerce and eventually by the Western Days Commission, the event continued. In 1983, the theme shifted from the playful "Winter Olympics" to a Western theme, as the Winter Olympics joke began to lose its relevance over time. In the mid 2010s, the theme changed from Western Days to Independence Days.