A nearly empty street isn’t what one would expect shortly before an annual parade on the Fourth of July.
But Mearle Marsh remembers an Independence Day afternoon when Mother Nature reared her head with a strong summer thunderstorm. What should have been a street lined with lawn chairs, blankets and loyal paradegoers wanting to get the best view for the evening parade was instead like a ghost town.
City officials gathered, assessing safety concerns and questioning whether people would even want to return to the festivities after such a weather event.
Then, as if on cue, the crowds came.
“People started coming in waves to set up,” said Marsh, Sandy’s director of community events.
As the crowd filed in, it became evident the show would go on.
“Folks were not going to be denied their parade,” Marsh said. “I think that speaks somehow to the sense of the importance that it has for people. It meant enough to them (to come back).”
It’s all part of the “nostalgia” Marsh said is associated with the long-standing tradition of Fourth of July parades — a practice Wayne Oberg, recreation coordinator for Murray, calls an “all-American tradition.” The Murray and Sandy Fourth of July parades are just two of the many that take place throughout the state to honor freedom, friends, family and fun.
“There’s nothing that brings a community more together than a parade,” Oberg said.
Planning a Fourth of July celebration with the parade as a focal point is no small feat. Oberg said officials from Murray gather each January to discuss how they can improve upon the previous year’s celebration.
According to Oberg, Murray Mayor Ted Eyre expressed a desire to make sure this year’s parade would be engaging and appealing.
“He was interested in kind of spicing up the parade a bit, making it a little more community-friendly and watcher-friendly,” Oberg said.
Paradegoers in Murray this year can expect to see a blend of not just commercial entries but also bands, royalty, dancers, floats and even an F-16 flyover provided by Hill Air Force Base.
“We really like to make it in line with the patriotism of the day and make sure that the entries are adding an element of entertainment,” Oberg said.
Many of the entries in the Murray parade will also make appearances as part of other parades throughout the day, including Sandy’s, as well as in the Days of ’47 parade later in the month.
Drue Kehl is one of more than 50 people who he says have spent “hundreds of thousands of hours of labor” to prepare a float for the Days of ’47 parade. Kehl became involved in the float-making process when his stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was asked to put together an entry. Their float, themed “Forging a future in small and simple things,” is decorated with a group of children discovering caterpillars, butterflies and more of nature’s offerings in their own backyard. The float is slated to appear in Murray’s parade in addition to the Pioneer Day parade later in the month.
“We would like more folks to see the finished product and hope that someone takes over (our) theme and hope they look at the small and simple miracles around them,” Kehl said.
Both Oberg and Marsh emphasized that while Murray and Sandy each have other Independence Day traditions for families to enjoy throughout the day, the parades are considered mainstays.
“There are some things that have come and gone over the years … but a parade has always been an anchoring feature of the celebration,” Marsh said. “It’s an opportunity to come together and have an experience of that joy and that communal ‘hurray.’”
Murray and Sandy’s festivities will find company among many other Fourth of July celebrations throughout the state. Here is a list of other family friendly celebrations scheduled throughout Utah, listed by county. Note: This is not an all-inclusive list.
Beaver County
Milford: July 3, 10 p.m., moon run/walk starting at the Milford High School vocational building. July 4, 10 a.m., Main Street parade; food, games and entertainment after the parade at Pavilion Park; 1-4 p.m., free swimming at Milford City Pool; fireworks at dark; dance after the fireworks (435-387-2711 or milfordut.com)
Box Elder County
Brigham City: July 4, 7:30 a.m., race; 7:30-10:30 a.m., breakfast; 8:45-10 a.m., interfaith patriotic program; 10 a.m., T-ball for teens; 11 a.m.-8 p.m., swimming; 8 p.m., Kap Brothers concert; fireworks at dark; all events at Rees Pioneer Park, 800 W. Forest St. (435-734-2001 or brighamcity.utah.gov/fourth-of-july-celebration.htm)
Cache County
Lewiston: July 3, 7 p.m., rodeo. July 4, 6-9 a.m., cannon salute, flag ceremony and breakfast at the city pavilion; 7 a.m., Patriot Border Run; 9:15 a.m., parade; festival at the park after the parade; 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., quilt and art show; 11:30 a.m., flag ceremony and patriotic program; noon, rodeo; 1 p.m., movie; 4 p.m., softball game; 6:30 p.m., horse pull; 7 p.m., movie; fireworks at dusk; all events take place near Lewiston City Center (july4lewiston.blogspot.com)
Utah State University: July 3, 7 p.m., Maverik Stadium “Freedom Fire” featuring Ryan Shupe & The RubberBand, Tueller's School of Dance, honor guard and military tributes and a fireworks display, $8 per person, $36 for six tickets (435-716-9250 or loganutah.org/pr)
Logan: July 2-4, Cache Valley Cruise-In, events include kids games, July 3-4, 11 a.m.-noon, and a parade down Main Street, July 4, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (cachevalleycruisein.net)
Hyrum: July 4, 7-10 a.m., Chuck Wagon Breakfast at City Square; 7 a.m., Blacksmith Fork Freedom Run, race starts at Hyrum City Hydro Park in Blacksmith Fork Canyon; noon, parade, route runs from 700 E. Main to 200 W. 200 North; 8-10:30 p.m., fireworks and entertainment at the soccer fields, 100 S. 800 East; teen dance at Elite Hall after the fireworks (435-245-6033 or hyrumcity.org/newsevents/4th-of-july-celebration-infomation)
Carbon County
Price: July 4, 5 p.m., celebration and hot dogs; fireworks at dusk, Carbon County Fairgrounds, 393 S. Fairgrounds Road (435-636-3214)
Scofield: Pleasant Valley Days, July 3, noon, vendors and entertainment; 5-7 p.m., dinner; 7 p.m., Little Miss Pleasant Valley Days Royalty Pageant. July 4, 7-10 a.m., breakfast; 11 a.m., parade; noon-5 p.m., entertainment in the park; 3 p.m., rubber duck derby; 7-9 p.m., entertainment in the park; 9:30 p.m.-midnight, dance; 10 p.m., fireworks, all events take place near the park at State Route 96 near Meridian Street (pleasantvalleydays.com)
Daggett County
Flaming Gorge Resort: Dutch John Freedom Festival, July 4, 7-10 a.m., breakfast; noon-5 p.m., car show; 7 p.m., music; fireworks at dark (435-889-3773 or flaminggorgeresort.com)
Davis County
Centerville: July 3, 6:30 p.m., children’s parade, route begins at 160 S. 200 East and ends at Founders Park; 7 p.m., activities in the park; 7 p.m., Kat Tingey concert; 8 p.m., Eclipse 6 concert; 9:45 p.m., fireworks. July 4, 7 a.m., 5K and children’s run, route begins at 250 N. 100 East; 7-9 a.m., breakfast at Founders Park; 9 a.m., parade on Main Street; 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., activities at Founders Park, quilt display at Centerville Elementary School (centervilleut.net)
Clearfield: July 3, 6-11 p.m., Urban Jam Night; 6-8 p.m., talent show; 8 p.m., street dance; 9-11 p.m., The Codi Jordan Band concert, all events at Fisher Park, 920 S. 1000 East. July 4, 7 a.m., 5K run, race starts at City Hall, 55 S. State; 7-10 a.m., breakfast at Kent’s Market, 580 S. State; 9:30 a.m., parade, route begins at City Hall and ends at Fisher Park; 6 p.m., festival at Fisher Park; 8:30 p.m., Charley Jenkins concert; 10 p.m., fireworks; 10:45 p.m., outdoor movie (801-525-2790 or clearfieldcity.org)
Kaysville: July 3, 7 p.m.-midnight, block party at Main and Center streets. July 4, 6:30-10:30 a.m., breakfast, Davis Applied Technology College, 550 E. 300 South; 7:30 a.m., 5K run; 11 a.m., parade on Main Street; 5-9:30 p.m., family festival at DATC Detention Basin, 550 S. Main; 7 p.m., concert; fireworks at dusk (kaysvillecity.com)
Layton: July 4, 6:30-10:30 a.m., breakfast at Layton Commons Park; 7:15 a.m., fun run/walk; 8:30 a.m., flag-raising ceremony; 10:30 a.m., parade; noon, Dutch oven demonstrations; 12:30 p.m., booths and entertainment; 8 p.m., New American Philharmonic Symphony; 10 p.m., fireworks (801-336-3900 or laytoncity.org)
North Salt Lake: July 3, 6 p.m., festivities at Eaglewood Golf Course; 10 p.m., fireworks (801-335-8700 or nslcity.org)
West Bountiful: July 3, 6 p.m., safety fair; 6:30 p.m., concert; 10 p.m., fireworks, events at West Bountiful City Park. July 4, 7:30 a.m., flag-raising ceremony and breakfast at City Hall; 10:30 a.m., parade; 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., events at West Bountiful City Park (801-292-4486 or wbcity.org)
West Point: July 3, Independence Day golf tournament. July 4, 6 a.m., flag-raising ceremony; 6:30-9 a.m., breakfast; 6:30 a.m., 5K run and two-mile walk; 8:30 a.m., parade, route ends at Joy Blake Park; 10 a.m., horseshoe tournament, baby contest, bingo, car show and more; 6 p.m., picnic; fireworks and outdoor movie at dark (801-776-0970 or westpointcity.org)
Duchesne County
Fort Duchesne: Fourth of July Powwow, July 3-5, with booths, contests and performances (utetribe.com)
Duchesne City: July 4, fireworks at dusk, Duchesne County Fairgrounds, 398 S. Center (435-738-2464)
Tabiona: July 3, 7 p.m., rodeo at the rodeo grounds; fireworks after the rodeo; dance at Town Hall after the fireworks. July 4, 7 a.m., 5K beginning at Tabiona School; 10 a.m., parade; 7 p.m., rodeo at the rodeo grounds; dance at Town Hall following the rodeo (435-848-5547)
Emery County
Huntington: July 3, 5 p.m., horseshoe tournament at the rodeo grounds; 5 p.m., children’s games at Huntington City Park; 6 p.m., ice cream social; 9 p.m., children’s bike parade on Center Street; 9:30 p.m., fireworks at Huntington City Park. July 4, 7 a.m., flag raising and breakfast at Huntington City Park; 10 a.m., Main Street parade; 4 p.m., volleyball tournament; 9:45 p.m., fireworks (facebook.com/huntingtonheritagedays)
Garfield County
Boulder: July 3, 6 p.m., ice cream social; 7 p.m., talent show at Boulder Mountain Lodge. July 4, 4:30 p.m., parade beginning at Highway 12 and Burr Trail; 5:15 p.m., patriotic program; 6 p.m., dinner; 7 p.m., dance at the Boulder Community Center (435-335-7300)
Tropic: July 4, 10 a.m., parade; activities at Tropic City Park after the parade; 10 p.m., fireworks at Ruby’s Inn, Bryce Canyon (435-679-8713 or townoftropicut.gov)
Grand County
Moab: July 4, 10 p.m., fireworks (435-259-7814)
Iron County
Brian Head: July 4, 8 a.m., pancake breakfast; 11 a.m., arts and crafts festival; fireworks at dusk, all events at Brian Head Resort (866-940-1010)
Cedar City: July 4, 9:30 a.m., Main Street parade; food, games, entertainment and more at Main Street Park throughout the day (cedarlionsclub.com)
Enoch: July 4, 7 a.m., 5K and 10K run and family walk, Old Enoch Park, 1702 E. 5250 North (435-586-1119 or cityofenoch.org)
Parowan: July 4, 10 a.m., Main Street parade; activities at Town Square Park after the parade; fireworks at dusk at the fairgrounds (435-477-3331 or parowan.org/event/july-4th-celebration)
Juab County
Nephi: July 4, activities at Nephi City Park throughout the day; fireworks at dusk (435-623-0822)
Kane County
Kanab: July 4, 7 a.m., 5K on Main Street; 7 a.m., breakfast, State Bank of Southern Utah; 7:30 a.m., flag raising, Jacob Hamblin Park; 10 a.m., parade; 11 a.m.-3 p.m., activities at Jacob Hamblin Park; 5 p.m., magic show, hot dog eating contest and more; 6 p.m., dinner; 9:30 p.m., fireworks; 10 p.m., movie (visitsouthernutah.com/4th-of-July-2015)
Millard County
Delta: July 3, 7 p.m., tennis and volleyball, Delta High School; 7 p.m., children’s parade, route starts at 400 W. Main and ends at Delta City Park. July 4, 6 a.m., Sunrise Salute and 5K run, Millard County Softball Complex; 7-9 a.m., breakfast, Delta City Park; 9:30 a.m., Main Street parade; 11 a.m.-3 p.m., patriotic program, games and entertainment, Delta City Park; 2 p.m., movie; 2-4 p.m., free swimming at Millard County Swimming Pool; 6 p.m., demolition derby, Millard County Fairgrounds; 10 p.m., fireworks (435-864-2759 or delta.utah.gov)
Fillmore: July 3, 6 p.m., children’s parade beginning at the courthouse; 7 p.m., 5K Color Challenge, East Millard Pool. July 4, 7 a.m., flag ceremony; 7-9 a.m., breakfast, Legion Hall; 10 a.m., parade; 11 a.m., food and games, State House Park; noon, talent show, State House Park; 1-4 p.m., free swimming, East Millard Pool; 2 p.m., free movie, Avalon Theater; fireworks at dusk (435-743-5233 or fillmorecity.org)
Morgan County
Morgan: July 4, 7 a.m., 5K beginning at Morgan High School; 7:45 a.m., fun run at Riverside Park; 7-10 a.m., breakfast; 8 a.m., flag ceremony; 10 a.m., parade beginning at Morgan High School and ending at the fairgrounds; 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., activities at Riverside park; 10 p.m., fireworks (801-829-3461 or morgancityut.org/4th-of-july)
Rich County
Woodruff: July 3, 1 p.m., youth rodeo, Woodruff Arena. July 4, 10 a.m., parade; 11:30 a.m., Saddle Strings concert; 1:30 p.m., mutton bustin’; 2 p.m., youth rodeo, Woodruff Arena (435-793-2415 or bearlake.org/events)
Salt Lake County
East Millcreek: July 4, 7-11 a.m., breakfast at Evergreen Park; 9 a.m., parade beginning at 2700 East and ending at Evergreen Park; 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., games; 10 a.m., flag ceremony (emclions.org)
Hogle Zoo: July 4, all day, military appreciation discount, veterans and immediate family receive free admission, 2600 E. Sunnyside Ave. (801-582-1631 or hoglezoo.org)
Holladay: July 4, 8:30 a.m., children’s parade beginning at Pine Park; 9 a.m., breakfast; 9 p.m., Peter Breinholt concert; 10:10 p.m., fireworks (801-272-9450 or cityofholladay.com)
Magna: July 4, 7:30 a.m., 5K fun run/walk, Magna Copper Park; 7 a.m., flag ceremony; 7-11 a.m., breakfast; noon, Main Street parade; games and music at Magna Copper Park after the parade; 8 p.m., Advent Horizon concert; 10 p.m., fireworks (801-688-8485 or magnautah.org/events/fourth-of-july)
Murray: July 3, 8 p.m., concert, Murray Park. July 4, 6:30-10 a.m., breakfast, Murray Park; 7 a.m., sunrise service; 8 a.m., 5K; 8:30 a.m., parade beginning at Fashion Place Mall and ending at Murray Park; 9 a.m., children’s race; 10 a.m.-4 p.m., food, games, car show and entertainment; 8:30 p.m., musical entertainment; 10 p.m., fireworks (801-264-2614 or murray.utah.gov)
Riverton: July 3, carnival events throughout the day, City Hall; 6:30 p.m., parade. July 4, 7 a.m., 10K, 5K and fun run; activities in Riverton Main Park throughout the day; 10 p.m., fireworks (801-208-3101 or rivertoncity.com)
Sandy: July 4, 6:50 a.m., flag raising, South Towne Promenade; 7 a.m., 5K and mile run; 10 a.m.-10 p.m., games, activities, food and youth art festival; 11 a.m.-4 p.m., police activities; 6 p.m., parade; 8 p.m., Real Salt Lake vs. Orlando City, Rio Tinto Stadium; 8 p.m., dance party; 8:45 p.m., Metro Music Club concert; 10 p.m., fireworks (801-568-7100 or sandy.utah.gov)
Spring Mobile Ball Park: July 4-5, 6:35 p.m., Salt Lake Bees vs. El Paso, 77 W. 1300 South, fireworks after the game (801-325-2273 or slbees.com)
South Salt Lake: July 4, 8 a.m., 5K fun run, Fitts Park; 8:30-11 a.m., breakfast; 9:30 a.m., parade, ends at Fitts Park; 11 a.m.-2 p.m., music, food, entertainment, vendors and games (801-483-6000 or southsaltlakecity.com)
Sugar House: July 4, 9:30 a.m., pet parade, Fairmont Aquatic Center; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., arts festival, vendors and entertainment on Highland Drive between 2100 South and Sugarmont Plaza; 4 p.m., musical entertainment; 9:45 p.m., fireworks (801-739-7548 or sugarhousechamber.org/artsfest)
Temple Square: July 4, 7:30 p.m., Utah National Guard 23rd Army Band, Tabernacle (801-570-0080 or lds.org/events)
This Is the Place Heritage Park: Liberty Days, July 4, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 2601 E. Sunnyside Ave. (801-582-1847 or thisistheplace.org)
West Jordan: July 3, 6 p.m., Western Stampede Rodeo, West Jordan Arena. July 4, 9:30 a.m., flag ceremony, City Hall; 10:30 a.m., Redwood Road parade; 7 p.m., Western Stampede Rodeo; 9 p.m., outdoor movie, Veterans Memorial Park; 10 p.m., fireworks (801-569-5163 or westernstampede.com)
West Valley: Rocky Mountain Raceways Copper Cup Classic, July 4, 4 p.m., 6555 W. 2100 South (801-252-9557 or rmrracing.com)
San Juan County
Blanding: July 3, 9:30 a.m., paintball tournament, south of Blanding on Highway 95; 3-8 p.m., car show and dinner, at the site of the old Blanding pool; softball tournament, old high school baseball fields; 7:30 p.m., melodrama, Blanding Arts and Events Center. July 4, 6:30 a.m., 5K and one-mile fun run, Centennial Park; 8 a.m., breakfast; 10:30 a.m., Main Street parade; 11 a.m., booths, games and food; 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., quilt show at Blanding Wellness Center; 3-5 p.m., free swimming at the Blanding Wellness Center pool; 5 p.m., dinner at Centennial Park; 7-10 p.m., musical entertainment; 10 p.m., fireworks. (435-678-2791 or blanding-ut.gov)
Sanpete County
Gunnison: July 3, 5 p.m., dinner, Gunnison Park; 8:30 p.m., concert; 10 p.m., fireworks. July 4, 6-9 a.m., breakfast; 9 a.m., parade; 10 a.m.-2 p.m., carnival, Gunnison Park; 11:30 a.m., lunch; 2-4 p.m., free swimming, Gunnison Pool (435-528-7969 or gunnisoncity.org)
Manti: July 4, 7 a.m., breakfast; games and activities throughout the day at Manti City Park; 7 p.m., parade; 8 p.m., patriotic program, Manti High School football field; fireworks at dusk (435-835-2401 or manticity.com)
Moroni: July 3, 5:50-8 p.m., barbecue turkey dinner, Moroni City Hall Park. July 4, 7 a.m., fun run; 7-9 a.m., breakfast; 8 a.m., flag ceremony; 10 a.m., parade; 10:45 a.m.-2:30 p.m., carnival, Moroni Activity Center; 7:30 p.m., pre-fireworks entertainment and show; 10 p.m., fireworks (435-436-8359 or sanpete.com/events)
Mt. Pleasant: July 3, 7 p.m., Dutch oven cook-off; 8 p.m., rodeo, Mt. Pleasant Rodeo Arena. July 4, 7 a.m., breakfast, Mt. Pleasant City Park; 8 a.m., tennis tournament; 11 a.m., children’s parade beginning at Mt. Pleasant High School; 11:30 a.m., parade on 700 South; noon, entertainment, crafts and food at Mt. Pleasant City Park; 2 p.m., pie contest; 8 p.m., rodeo, Mt. Pleasant Rodeo Arena; fireworks at dusk. July 5, rodeo, Mt. Pleasant Rodeo Arena; fireworks at dark in Mt. Pleasant City Park (435-462-3034 or sanpete.com/events)
Sevier County
Richfield: July 3, 4 p.m., basketball; 6 p.m., children’s parade beginning at the Richfield Stake Tabernacle; 7 p.m., concert, Richfield City Park. July 4, 6 a.m., cannon salute, Richfield City Park; 7 a.m., children’s run; 7:30 a.m., 5K run; 7:45 a.m., family walk; 9:30 a.m., Main Street parade; 10 a.m.-3 p.m., carnival activities at Richfield City Park; fireworks at dusk (435-896-6439)
Salina: July 3, 7:45 p.m., rodeo; dancing on Main Street after the rodeo. July 4, 7-11 a.m., breakfast, North Sevier Middle School; 7:30 a.m., 5K run; 9 a.m.-noon, games and activities; 1-2 p.m., free swimming at Salina Pool; 5 p.m., Main Street parade; 7:45 p.m., rodeo; fireworks at dusk (435-529-7304)
Summit County
Canyons Resort: July 3, 3-9:30 p.m., activities and musical entertainment (canyonsresort.com)
Deer Valley Resort: July 4, 7:30 p.m., “Patriotic Pops,” Utah Symphony with Gary Mauer and Elizabeth Southard, Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater (435-645-6613 or deervalley.com)
Henefer: July 3, 7 p.m., potato race, Henefer Town Square. July 4, 7 a.m., 5K and 10K run; 7:45 a.m., flag raising; 8 a.m., breakfast; 8:30 a.m., games; 2 p.m., Main Street parade; 5:30 p.m., dinner; 7:30 p.m., musical entertainment; 10 p.m., fireworks (435-336-5365 or heneferutah.org)
Oakley: July 3-4, 8 p.m., PRCA Rodeo with fireworks following. July 3, 8 a.m., breakfast, Oakley Recreation Complex. July 4, 7 a.m., 5K race; 10 a.m., parade; 11:30 a.m., patriotic program, Oakley Recreation Complex; 1 p.m., Jr. Rodeo (435-783-5753 or oakleycity.com)
Park City: July 4, 7 a.m., pancake breakfast at Park City Park; 8 a.m., 5K and fun run; 10 a.m.-5 p.m., food, music, games and entertainment; 11 a.m., Main Street parade (visitparkcity.com)
Park City Mountain Resort: July 4, 5:30-9:30 p.m., concert; fireworks at dusk (parkcitymountain.com)
Tooele County
Grantsville: July 3, 6 p.m., Miss Grantsville Scholarship Pageant, Grantsville High School; 6:30 p.m., basketball tournament; 7 p.m., Dusk to Dawn Tennis Tournament. July 4, 7-9 a.m., breakfast, Grantsville Fire Station; 7:30 a.m., 5K, Grantsville High School; 8 a.m., flag raising; 11 a.m., parade; 1-5 p.m., activities at Cherry Street Park; 10 p.m., fireworks (435-884-3411 or grantsvilleut.gov)
Tooele: July 3, 4 p.m., karaoke, Aquatic Center Park; 5-8 p.m., car show; 8 p.m., rodeo, Deseret Peak Complex. July 4, 7 a.m., 5K run, Skyline Drive; 7:30 a.m., breakfast, Veterans Memorial Park; 9 a.m., Main Street Parade; activities at Aquatic Center Park after the parade; 8 p.m., concert; 8 p.m., rodeo, Deseret Peak Complex. (435-843-2100 or tooelecity.org)
Uintah County
Vernal: July 4, 10 a.m., parade; fireworks at dusk, Vernal City Park (435-789-1352 or vernalchamber.com)
Utah County
Lehi: July 4, 4 p.m., Thanksgiving Point, 3003 N. Thanksgiving Way, concessions, vendors and activities; 10 p.m., fireworks (801-768-2300 or thanksgivingpoint.org)
Orem: July 3-4, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Cries of Freedom and Colonial Fest, SCERA Park (freedomfestival.org)
Provo: July 3-4, 6 a.m.-8 a.m., Balloon Fest, Bulldog Field. July 3-4, Freedom Days, Center Street. July 4, 7 a.m., Freedom Run, Kiwanis Park; 9 a.m., parade, University Avenue and Center Street; 8 p.m., Stadium of Fire featuring Journey, LaVell Edwards Stadium (freedomfestival.org)
Wasatch County
Heber: July 4, 8 a.m., Freedom Train, Heber Valley Railroad, 450 S. 600 West (435-654-5601 or hebervalleyrr.org)
Midway: July 3, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., art exhibits; 10 a.m.-1 p.m., free admission to Tom Whitaker’s Cowboy Museum. July 4, 7 a.m., flag ceremony; 8-10 a.m., breakfast in the town square; 10 a.m.-4 p.m., art exhibits; noon and 2 p.m., children’s melodrama performance; 10 p.m., fireworks (435-654-3223 or midwaycityut.org)
Washington County
Hurricane: July 4, 7 a.m., breakfast, Hurricane Community Center; 8:30 a.m., parade; 9:15 a.m., flag raising, Hurricane Community Center; 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m., games; 11 a.m., patriotic program, Hurricane Fine Arts Center; 1-7 p.m., free swim, Hurricane City Pool; 7 p.m., Home Run Derby, Spilsbury Sports Complex; 10 p.m., fireworks (435-635-2811 or cityofhurricane.com)
St. George: July 3, 6-8 p.m., parade float preview, Ridge Top Complex. July 4, 6:30 a.m., Uncle Sam 5K; 8 a.m., parade beginning at Vernon Worthen Park; 9:40 a.m.-2 p.m., games, music and food, St. George Recreation Center and Vernon Worthen Park; 8-10 p.m., concert, Dixie Sunbowl; 10 p.m., fireworks (435-627-4560 or sgcity.org)
Wayne County
Torrey: Apple Days, July 3, 5 p.m., potluck picnic; 6:30 p.m., Miss Apple Days Talent Show, The Big Apple; dusk, movie, Big Apple. July 4, 7-9 a.m., breakfast, Torrey Town Pavilion; 8 a.m., 5K race and one-mile run, Torrey Town Hall; 8 a.m.-3 p.m., swap meet, Torrey Town Park; 10 a.m., parade; children’s games after the parade; 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m., car show, 875 N. State Road 24; 9 p.m.-midnight, The Big Apple Dance (torreyappledays.com)
Weber County
Huntsville: July 4, 7 a.m., Rob Burton Memorial Run, Huntsville Park; 7-10 a.m., breakfast; 10 a.m., parade; 11:30 a.m., patriotic program; 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., barbecue; 8 p.m., music, Huntsville Park; 10 p.m., fireworks (huntsvilletown.com)
Ogden: July 3, 1-8 p.m., family plaza, Lorin Farr Park; 6 p.m., demolition derby. July 4, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., family plaza; 1-6 p.m., car show; Two Weeks Notice concerts, 1-3 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.; 3 p.m., Marcus the Magician; 6 p.m., demolition derby; 10 p.m., fireworks (hotrockn4th.com)
Email: wbutters@deseretnews.com, Twitter: WhitneyButters