Independence Day celebrations slated

It’s parade time for the 4th of July and all are invited! Bikes, trikes, strollers, wheelbarrows, walkers, unicycles, etc. meet and gather beginning at 8 a.m. at Hunt Park, located at Park Road. Red, white, and blue decorations available and helpers willing to assist trimming participants wheels! Show up at 8:30 a.m. and join in with the parade at 9 a.m., led by the Holbrook Volunteer Fire Department fire truck.

There’s more fun after the parade with games and water activities happening throughout the morning. Treats will be provided too. Come support the traditional 4th of July in Happy Holbrook!

The annual Holbrook Volunteer Firemen’s Barbecue is scheduled from 12 p.m. until the food is gone at Fire Station No. 3, located at 100 Airport Road. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for kids. Takeout plates are also available. Tickets may be purchased from any fireman or at the door.

The Holbrook firemen will also present their free fireworks show after dark at the Navajo County Governmental Complex in southern Holbrook.

Joseph City

The community of Joseph City has a full lineup of holiday festivities for the Fourth of July with all events at Tanner Park, located at 4560 Main St., unless otherwise noted. Beginning at 5:15 a.m., there will be a 5K Fun Run. Meet at the northeast corner of the park for registration beginning at 4:15 a.m.

At 8 a.m., a patriotic parade will make its way down Main Street from Hansen Street and ending at Tanner Park. Lineup is at 7:30 a.m.

At 8:30 a.m. the flag raising will take place, then at 9 a.m. the Bucket of Blood Re-enactors will present its “I do, I do” Old West shootout.

At 9:30 a.m. tournament registrations open (call Blaine for info and advance registration at 480-217-5476). Also at that time food and craft vendors open, the Kid Zone opens and tournaments begin on the 1/2 hour including a volleyball tournament at 10:00 a.m., horseshoes tournament at 10:30 a.m., Human foosball and cornhole at 11 a.m.

At 1 p.m. it’s the Color Blast, followed by basketball at 1:30 p.m. at the Joseph City High School Gym.

This event is hosted by the Joseph City Chamber of Commerce.

Snowflake/Taylor

On Friday, the festivities begin at 12 p.m., at Rodeo Park in Taylor with the Snowflake/Taylor Chamber of Commerce hosting an arts & crafts event. The event will go on until 5 p.m. then begin again at 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Also on Friday, head to the rodeo grounds for super fresh calf roping beginning at 6 p.m. Cowboy poetry and country music will be held beginning at 7 p.m. at Rodeo Park.

On Saturday, the day begins at 5 a.m., with the annual firing of the anvil and band serenade beginning at Solomon Hill Ball Park, located at Center and 700 East Street, with stops at Old Center Street Church, the church at 309 W. Willow and concluding at Rodeo Park in Taylor at 6:15 a.m.

At 6 a.m. on Saturday, a free pancake breakfast will be held at the Rodeo Pavilion.

Beginning at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, it’s the Fourth of July Freedom Run to begin at the Snowflake Bike Park, located at 1784 W. 7th S. St. in Snowflake. The cost is $30 for adults and $15 for youth 17 and under. Register in advance at www.rec.us/taylor.

At 10 a.m. a patriotic program will take place at the Town Hall of Fame, located at 309 W. Willow Lane in Taylor, featuring the Jennings Band and keynote speaker Brad Click.

That evening it’s the 72nd annual Fourth of July Taylor Rodeo at the Taylor Rodeo Grounds. The preshow begins at 7 p.m. with the rodeo events to begin at 7:30. Ticket prices are $15, with kids 5 and under free. Following the rodeo there will be team roping.

Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. followed by a dance beginning at 9:30 p.m. at the Rodeo Pavilion.

Winslow

From 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.., (or when food runs out) the Winslow Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a community barbecue on the 4th of July. It will be at the Hayden Walton Memorial Park near the Route 66 Splash Pad. There’ll be a few games and a tattoo station for kids. There is no charge for this event. There will also be lots of activities at McHood Park/Clear Creek Reservoir such as swimming, tubing, paddle boarding, kayaking, picnics, etc.

The fireworks show will start when the sky is dark. Winslow’s fireworks show is funded by donations from the community and is directed by lifelong resident Dan Simmons. The show lasts about an hour and a half with a 15-minute intermission.