Utahns began their Fourth of July activities in many ways across the state, and one of he West’s most treasured traditions is the Freedom Festival parade that entertained large crowds Friday morning on its route through downtown Provo.
Activities began Friday and early Saturday with the hot air balloon festival, the grand parade, as well as a fun run, military days and other events throughout Utah County. The popular Stadium of Fire is set to cap off the events Friday night with music, fireworks and a drone show.
Deseret News photojournalist Tess Crowley made the rounds Friday, capturing patriotic moments along the parade route.
The Wood and Ruch families look inside a hot air balloon at the Freedom Festival Balloon Fest in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Colby Hjorth holds down a hot air balloon at the Freedom Festival Balloon Fest in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
People look inside the Floating Awaysis balloon at the Freedom Festival Balloon Fest in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Jessica Gray, center, puts her hand on her heart during the national anthem at the Freedom Festival Balloon Fest in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Craig Corbett holds grandson Samuel Corbett, 6, in the air with granddaughter Clara Corbett, 8, on his shoulders at the Freedom Festival Balloon Fest in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Teresa Anderson holds the Floating Awaysis hot air balloon steady at the Freedom Festival Balloon Fest in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Noah Hu, 6, covers his ears during the Freedom Festival Balloon Fest in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Eugene DeMartini helps put away a hot air balloon as people are lifted in the air at the Freedom Festival Balloon Fest in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Janet Weeth looks up at a hot air balloon at the Freedom Festival Balloon Fest in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
McKay Brink, 7, is lifted into the air at the Freedom Festival Balloon Fest in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Danielle Skillings holds daughter Dottie Skillings, 2, at the Freedom Festival Balloon Fest in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Pilot Greg Lindsey controls the Floating Awaysis hot air balloon at the Freedom Festival Balloon Fest in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
People help put away a hot air balloon after the Freedom Festival Balloon Fest in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
People watch the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Brigham Holmstrom, 10, right, places his hand on his heart as the American flag is carried in the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Kalani Sitake, BYU head football coach, rides in a car as the grand marshal of the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
People hold up the Spirit of 76 balloon in the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
People watch the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Participants wave from the FitCity Center Spanish Fork float in the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
State Rep. Mike Kennedy rides in the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Russell Kern holds daughter Emalynn Kern, 4, center, as they watch the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Missionaries participate in the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Aero Chatwin, 10, holds Rome Estrada, 1, as they watch the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
People wave from the Miss Eagle Mountain float in the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Winter Loop, 7, center, holds a pink umbrella during the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
A participant waves from the Scera float in the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
The Holmstroms wave their hands to receive free shirts from a float at the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Children watch as Provo Police Explorers walk by during the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
State Rep. Tyler Clancy, right, waves in the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
The Francis family watches the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Members of the Pleasant Grove Marching Band participate in the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Twins Angela Valladares, 4, left, and Abigail Valladares, 4, right, pose in their matching dresses at the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Veterans participate in the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
People wave from the Miss Freedom Festival float in the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
People ride in military vehicles in the Freedom Festival Parade in Provo on Friday, July 4, 2025. | Tess Crowley, Deseret News
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.