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One of my favorite “ignorant American” jokes is, “Do they have 4th of July in France?”. Why yes, of course they do.
At any rate, many of my colleagues in the Valley of the Sun have written about the cool places to attend 4th of July celebrations in and around Phoenix. I’ll be up at our mountain home in Pinetop, AZ, and so it seemed fitting to mention a few of the higher altitude celebration locations, for those that might find it more comfortable to watch the fireworks under a blanket, rather than sweating in a tank top and shorts in nearly 110 degree temps. Not that there’s anything wrong with a little sweat now and then. But there’s much to be said for getting out of the heat on a holiday weekend if you can.
You may notice that missing from the list below is the fireworks display over Sunrise Lake at Sunrise Ski Park. The White Mountain Apache Tribe has decided to cancel this year’s show, which is disappointing personally, as that’s where our family has gone the last 3 years.
All of these locations are above 4000 ft (via CIR and Google Earth), so expect temperatures to be 10-20 degrees cooler than Phoenix. Gas is expensive, but aren’t you worth it?
Chino Valley, AZ Event: July 4 Red, White & Boom! 5pm-10pm; Old Home Manor Fields on Perkinsville Rd; 928-636-9780; Food, entertainment, and fireworks; Free; www.cv4th.com
Flagstaff, AZ Event: Annual 4th of July Parade. 10am; Historic downtown Flagstaff; 800-842-7293; Community parade with music, floats and more; Free; www.flagstaffchamber.com
Flagstaff, AZ Event: Independence Day Festival. 8am-5pm; Pioneer Museum; 2340 N Fort Valley Rd; 928-774-6272; Living History re-enactors including artillery demonstrations, traditional crafts, and camp cooking demonstrations; Free; www.arizonahistoricalsociety.org
FYI, the Flagstaff has chosen to end fireworks displays, due to the continued annual risk of fires.
Heber-Overgaard, AZ Event: Independence Day Celebration. July 4-6; Festival at Tall Timbers Navajo County Park; Fireworks at Mogollon High School; 928-535-5777; Parade (July 5 at 11am), arts and crafts, family fun, and fireworks (July 5 in the evening); $5/car for parking at Tall Timbers Park and Mogollon High School; www.heberovergaard.org
Page, AZ Event: Independence Day “Heart of America”. July 4; City Park for daytime events; Lake Powell National Golf Course for fireworks; 928-645-2741; Family activities with fireworks show after dark; Free; www.pagelakepowellchamber.org
Payson, AZ Event: July 4th Fireworks & Family Fun Day. 3pm-5pm family games; 7pm-9pm family entertainment followed by fireworks; Green Valley Park; 1000 W Country Club Dr; 928-474-5242; Family games, fun, and entertainment, followed by a fireworks display over Green Valley Lake at the end of the evening; Free; www.ci.payson.az.us
Prescott, AZ Event: July 4th Celebration. 11am-10pm; Pioneer Park; 1200 Commerce Dr; 928-777-1349; Water slide, bungee jumping, carnival rides, inflatables, vendors, live music, and food; Free admission. Carnival ride wrist bands $5 each; www.cityofprescott.net
Prescott, AZ Event: Movie in the Park: Independence Day. July 5, 6pm; Watson Lake Park; Highway 89; 928-777-1122; Outdoor showing of the movie Independence Day; Free; www.cityofprescott.net
Saint Johns, AZ Event: Fireworks & Rubber Duck Race. July 4; Lyman Lake State Park; 11 miles south of St Johns on US 191; 928-337-4441; Rubber duck races, family fun, and fireworks by the lake; $5/vehicle park entry fee; www.azstateparks.com/Parks/parkhtml/lyman.html
Show Low, AZ Event: Freedom Fest. All day; Show Low High School Parking Lot and Football Field; 928-537-2326; Family activities throughout the day followed by fireworks after dark. Call for details; Free; www.showlowchamberofcommerce.com
Show Low, AZ Event: 4th of July Parade. 9am; Deuce of Clubs Blvd; 928-537-2326; Parade through Show Low; Free; www.showlowchamberofcommerce.com
Springerville-Eager,AZ Event: Annual July 4th Parade & Rodeo. 9am-9pm; Round Valley Rodeo Grounds; 928-333-2123; Parade, rodeo competition, BBQ, and fireworks; $5 for rodeo events; www.springerville-eagarchamber.com
Taylor, AZ Event: July 4th Celebration & Rodeo. July 5; Taylor Rodeo Complex; 928-536-7366; Flag raising ceremony, traditional firing of the anvil, BBQ, rodeos, dancing, patriotic program, and fireworks after dark; Free; www.snowflaketaylorchamber.org
Williams, AZ Event: Small Town 4th of July. July 4; Various locations; Chamber offices at 200 W Railroad Ave; Parade, BBQ, ice cream social, arts and crafts, family activities; Fireworks in the evening; Free; www.williamschamber.com
Winslow, AZ Event: Fourth of July Family Day & Fireworks. 10am parade, fireworks after dark; Festivities at Winslow City Park; Fireworks at Winslow High School; 928-289-2434; Parade followed by an old fashioned carnival with family activities and a youth talent show. Flag retirement ceremony just before dusk; Fireworks display at dusk; Free; www.winslowarizona.org
5 responses so far ↓
If you look at the first page of Google is seems that Realtors have the best insight into Independence Day activities. Don’t we sell real estate? No, we also peddle information about how to drink and see some lights flickering in the air. I have over 1,000 individual ip addresses nicked on my wall, just looking for what to do on July 4th, and we still have 2 days to go.
So at 4K+ altitude the fireworks probably look better too.
Great resource for that taking the high road! Have a great time Steve and enjoy the sparklers in the Arizona sky! Hae a safe and enjoyable weekend.
@Artur- it’s the long tail in action, for sure. And yes, high altitudes make for excellent fireworks displays. Although I can’t stress enough how important it is NOT to drink and drive this holiday weekend…or any weekend for that matter.
@Candace- Thank you.
[...] Steve Belt has a list of northern Arizona displays. [...]
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