Area Independence Day Celebrations Focus On Fireworks, Food, TraditionJuly 3rd, 2008
By Tammy Gray-Searles
Residents across central Navajo County will have plenty of choices of how to celebrate Independence Day this year, from traditional barbecue and fireworks to kids’ games and a true western rodeo.
Joseph City is holding an old-time festival that includes a children’s parade, horseshoe tournament and a three-legged race. The celebration will begin at daybreak today (July 4) when resident Ivin Lee fires the cannon. At 9 a.m. a red, white and blue children’s parade will start at the Old Bushman home on Main Street, and at 9:15 a.m. there will be a flag ceremony at Tanner Park.
Guardian Air will land at the park at 9:30 a.m., and the public will be able to view and learn all about the medical copter. Also at 9:30 a.m., the children’s 25-cent games will begin. The games will include a fishing pond and coin toss, as well as tug-of-war, a rooster chase and a three-legged race. There will also be a “slippy slide” for children of all ages.
A hot dog and hamburger luncheon will start at 10:30 a.m., and an ice cream churning contest starts at 11:30 a.m. The ice cream will be for sale after the contest is over.
Holbrook will hold its annual fireman’s barbecue from 11 o’clock this morning until the food is gone at Fire Station No. 3 on Airport Road. Tickets for the delicious feast, which features pit-roasted beef with a tangy homemade barbecue sauce, homemade coleslaw, ranch beans, rolls and lemonade, are $8 for adults and $5 for kids. Takeout plates are available. Tickets can be purchased from any volunteer firefighter or at the door.
A traditional fireworks display will also be presented beginning just after dark at the Navajo County Governmental Complex in south Holbrook.
Winslow citizens will participate in a number of events celebrating America’s Independence Day. Highlighting the day of celebration is a Family Fun Day of events at the Winslow Park, known to most as the ramadas east of Vargas Field.
Family Fun Day begins at 10 a.m. and continues through 3 p.m. The prime event is a children’s parade, but it will also be filled with games for children and young adults.
There will also be a Ribs and Chicken Cook-Off at the park, with barbeque available for those wishing to eat some delicious fare prepared by fine Winslow cooks. This will also occur at the park behind Vargas Field and at the end of Polk Street.
Fireworks will be set off at dusk at the Winslow High School football field.
Taylor celebrations are planned for both today and Saturday, July 5. At 7 o’clock tonight, there will be a Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival at Rodeo Park.
On Saturday, the traditional celebration will start with the firing of the anvil and a serenade by the Jennings band at 5 a.m. at Taylor Elementary School.
A 10K and two-mile fun run will start at 6 a.m., and at 10 a.m. there will be a patriotic program at the Taylor Stake Center and country music at Rodeo Park. The annual barbecue will begin at 12 noon, also at Rodeo Park, and a second barbecue will be held at 5 p.m.
The 54th annual night rodeo will begin at 7 p.m. at Rodeo Park. Rodeo events include calf roping, sad-dle bronc, team roping, bareback riding and bull riding. Admission is $7 for adults and $3 for children age 5-12.
Fireworks will follow the rodeo at 9 p.m. From 9:30 p.m. until 12 midnight there will be a dance on the pavilion.
Citizens are urged to enjoy the Fourth of July celebrations and to not participate in any activities that include dangerous risks. Private fireworks displays are often a source of danger. Citizens are especially warned not to include firearms in their celebrations, as these have been the source of accidental fatalities in other New Year’s and Fourth of July celebrations.
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