By Jon Johnson
PIMA – If you’re looking for that long-lost national nostalgia celebrated on our nation’s Independence Day, then the rural areas of Arizona are a good bet to take.
The small town of Pima showed both its national pride and local civics on July 4 as their events began with the inaugural Freedom Run in memory of Torrie and Landon Baldwin, who lost their lives in a tragic airplane crash off the coast of San Diego on June 8.
“It’s just great to see the community come together,” Pima Town Manager Vernon Batty said. “We have these things for everybody to come out and visit and make sure we stay connected as a community.”
In addition to all the participants, several volunteers contributed to the event’s success by assisting racers on the course and providing refreshments.
After the 5K, the public enjoyed the town’s fourth annual breakfast fundraiser for the Eastern Arizona Museum with eggs, pancakes, fruit, and a beverage at Pioneer Park.
Clint Woods, with the Eastern Arizona Museum & Historical Society, praised the volunteer cooks for donating their time and talents to help serve others.
“We’re grateful for them,” Woods said. “The cooks are here an hour-and-a-half before the party, and they’re setting up, and an army of volunteers makes it all work.”
The Pima Pool was free for the day to help beat the heat, and when dusk came, the night sky was lit up with a fireworks show at the Vard Lines Memorial Roping Arena.
“The fireworks (are) always very well attended as well,” Batty said. “It’s always fun to go out there and see everybody on the field in their chairs and celebrating together.”
To view the Gila Herald’s Photo Album of the event, click here.
