Staff Reports
GRAHAM COUNTY – The Gila Valley is as patriotic as it gets and the red, white, and blue colors especially come out when we celebrate Independence Day. The following is a schedule of events of the various celebrations throughout the area.
Graham County
A Fishing Derby will be held from 6 – 10 a.m. at the Graham County Fairgrounds. Those fishing must have a license. No net fishing is allowed. Awards will be given for the top attendees.
Pima
The town of Pima kicks off the Independence Day celebrations with its annual July 4 Breakfast and Program, beginning with a patriotic program at Heritage Park (next to the Pima Fire Department), starting at 6 a.m.
An all-you-can-eat breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and bacon will then be served from 6:30 – 8 a.m. for $3 per person, with veterans and active military fed for free.
Thatcher
The town of Thatcher will hold its annual July 4 Parade starting at 7 a.m. from Thatcher High School. The parade will make its way west down Church Street and then north down N. Stadium Avenue to the Thatcher Splash Park, where festivities will immediately follow.
The festivities at the park will include a patriotic program and flag raising, pancake breakfast, bounce house, watermelon bust and fireman water fun – all behind the beats from a DJ.
While the parade doesn’t start until 7, the Thatcher Fire Department will give its annual wakeup call at about 6 a.m.
Safford
Starting at 9 a.m., there will also be free admission to swim at the Eastern Arizona College pool.
The annual Gila Valley Fourth of July Parade will commence in Downtown Safford at 10 a.m. and will start at the Graham County Courthouse and head east down Main Street to 3rd Avenue. The parade, which is sponsored by the Safford Lions’ Club, will then disband.
At dusk, the annual fireworks show at the Graham County Fairgrounds. The fireworks show is hosted by the Safford Lion’s Club, with assistance from the Safford Fire Department, the city of Safford, the town of Thatcher and Freeport McMoRan.
Morenci
In Morenci, the fun goes on all day.
9 a.m. – parade down Burro Alley
10 a.m. – water games at the football field
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. – water slide, Arizona bounce around in the gym, bowling at Morenci Lanes, pool games.
10 a.m. – noon JJ’s Band
10:15 a.m. – money dive
10:30 a.m. – movie ticket giveaway to see Spiderman Far From Home at either 11 a.m. or 2 p.m.
12 -1 p.m. – hotdog eating contest sponsored by the Clifton Fire Department
1 – 3 p.m. Mike Reeves Band
1 – 3 p.m. games in the park
8:30 p.m. fireworks show sponsored by the Morenci Fire Department
Saturday
Just when you thought you were done, the town of Pima will host its second annual Independence Celebration at Blue Ribbon Park (next to the Pima Pool) on Saturday. The pool will have free admission from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., and the park will have two jumping castles (one with a water slide), horseshoes, volleyball, and will have a barbecue lunch served, starting at 1 p.m., all for free.
There will also be vendors selling snow cones and other wares for a small fee.
