America’s birthday is here and, on Thursday, the United States will turn a strapping 243 years young.
As is true nearly every anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the communities of the Verde Valley have plenty of events where you can celebrate July 4.
The Sedona Parks and Recreation Department will provide free, daytime fun at the 4th of July Wet Fest. This water event takes place both inside the Sedona Community Pool and the surrounding area outside of the pool. There will be inflatable water slides at the beautiful Sedona Community Pool and slide. Music will be sure to entertain, and plan to enjoy lunch for sale. Festivities will take place from noon to 4 p.m. at the Sedona Community Pool, 570 Posse Ground Road. Bring a chair and come for a free, family-friendly, patriotic day.
The city of Cottonwood will be holding its 20th annual Fantastic Family 4th of July at the Cottonwood Kid’s Park off of S. 12th Street from 4 to 9:30 p.m. From 4 to 6 p.m., that means free hot dogs and watermelon and a fireworks display begins at 8:45 p.m..
The Cottonwood Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter will hold a patriotic salute to all branches of the armed services in the afternoon.
Throughout the afternoon, visitors will be treated to music and inflatable bouncers, while kids games and food vendors will be available for purchases. The fireworks will be sponsored by the city of Cottonwood, Jennifer Griffin, the Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce, Verde Valley Fair Association and the Verde Valley Wine Consortium.
As usual, Clarkdale’s Independence Day celebrations will take place in the morning, starting with a Raising of the Colors at the Clarkdale Town Park presented by VFW Post 7400 at 7 a.m., followed by a pancake breakfast hosted by the Clarkdale Police Department and Verde Valley Fire District and live music. At 7:30 a.m., VVFD will host free fire truck rides at 10th and Main Streets and the Clarkdale Historical Society and Museum will host an Ice Cream Social. Clarkdale-Jerome School will begin children’s games at 8 a.m., as registration begins for the parade at 8:15. At 9 a.m., the main event, the annual 4th of July parade, will begin at Clarkdale-Jerome School and march down Main Street to Clarkdale Town Hall. The Cottonwood Community Band will give a live performance at Town Park, and parade winners will be announced at the gazebo.
For festivities in Camp Verde, people can go to the Stargazer Pavilion at Cliff Castle Casino, where a Family Fun Picnic will occur from 4 to 9 p.m. on July 4. Each guest will be treated to one free hot dog, chips and a drink, while kids can enjoy an inflatable bounce house obstacle course, carnival games and face painting. Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m.
Throughout the whole 4th of July weekend from July 5 through 7, there will be random prize drawings from 4 to 9 p.m. Closing out the celebrations at 10 p.m. on July 7, one winner of the big drawing.
Jon Hecht can be reached at 634-8551 or email jhecht@larsonnewspapers.com
