Fourth of July 2023: Arizona's best celebrations in Flagstaff, Prescott and more
Arizona puts its own spin on every holiday and that’s especially true for the Fourth of July. Sure, you can find fireworks and music and parades. But you can also enjoy plenty of other options including art shows, a laser light display, a rodeo of historic proportions and good old-fashioned water park soakings for the kids.
This is the perfect time of year to get out of Phoenix and see how some other towns celebrate Independence Day. Here are some of Arizona’s best July 4 celebrations.
Just please be sure to follow all fire restrictions wherever you go.
Prescott: World's Oldest Rodeo, fireworks and a parade
The World’s Oldest Rodeo in Prescott is a weeklong event, kicking off on June 28 and continuing through July 4 at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds. The World’s Oldest Rodeo Parade runs downtown past Courthouse Plaza beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 1. 928-445-3103, www.worldsoldestrodeo.com.
In fact, Courthouse Plaza will be bustling all weekend before the holiday. The Prescott Rodeo Days Arts & Crafts Show runs July 1-3, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. The juried art show — the biggest of the year in Prescott —spreads out beneath the shady elms on the plaza and features paintings, pottery, jewelry, metal works, home decor and plenty more. Live music will keep the party going and activities include the Whiskey Row Boot Race. 928-443-5220, www.prescottdowntown.com.
There’s a big party at Watson Lake Park on July 1, and that’s where the fireworks will go off. There will be waterslides, live music, food vendors and a beer garden. The festivities go from 3 to 9:30 p.m. with fireworks over the lake at 9. General admission is $7. An unlimited waterslide pass for kids includes general admission for $25 ($30 day of the event). Purchasing your Watson Lake parking in advance ($20) is encouraged; free parking with a shuttle is available at Pioneer Park. To purchase tickets and passes, visit https://prescott.events/watson-lake-1st-of-july.
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Prescott Valley: Red, White and Boom
If you miss out on the fireworks at Watson Lake, or maybe you just want an encore, you’ll have another opportunity. Prescott Valley launches its Red, White and Boom event on Tuesday, July 4, from 3 to 9:30 p.m.
It takes place at Prescott Valley Civic Center, 7501 Skoog Blvd., and features carnival rides, splash inflatables, food trucks, a beer garden and plenty of live music. Line dance instruction will be offered at 3:45 p.m. to get you ready for the country flavor of bands like Trailer Park Millionaires and Tyller Gummersall.
Plus, it’s all free, except for food and drinks, of course. For those who want to start the party early, tailgating and RV parking is available at nearby Findlay Toyota Center on a first come, first served basis. Fireworks are fired off at 9 p.m.
There will also be space for fireworks viewing at Bob Edwards Park, 7201 E. Long Look Drive, for families looking for a more peaceful setting.
Sedona, Cottonwood and Clarkdale: Fireworks and Wet Fest
With a little planning, you can enjoy a full day of old-fashioned fun in the Verde Valley spread across the communities of Cottonwood, Clarkdale and Sedona. It all takes place on July 4.
Things kick off early in the morning in Clarkdale with a 7 a.m. pancake breakfast, followed by fire truck rides and an ice cream social at 7:30 a.m. With the kids all hopped up on sugar, the children’s parade at 9 a.m. should be a peppy one. At 9:30 a.m. the Cottonwood Community Band plays until 11 a.m., when the morning’s festivities end. Everything takes place at Clarkdale Town Park, 101 Main St.
That will give you time to head for Wet Fest in west Sedona at 570 Posse Ground Road. Enjoy a free recreational swim, giant water slides, music and food trucks at Sedona Community Pool from noon until 4 p.m. Everything is free (except for the food); swim wear is required for pool use.
Finish up the day in Cottonwood for the annual fireworks display. The party goes from 4 to 9:30 p.m. Free burgers and hot dogs right off the grill are served up from 4 to 6 p.m., and there are plenty of games for the little ones (with $10 wristband purchase). It all takes place at Cottonwood Kids Park, 350 S. 12th St. Fireworks go off at 9 p.m.
Flagstaff: Laser lights, a parade and Art in the Park
If you’re looking for an excuse for a long weekend in the high country, head for Flagstaff. Art in the Park runs July 1-3. The juried arts and crafts festival features more than 75 artists from across the Southwest.
The event takes place on the big shady lawn of Wheeler Park, 212 W. Aspen Ave., in downtown Flagstaff from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday. Bands perform from the stage through each day, food vendors are on hand and an expansive beer garden serves local and regional brews.
On July 4 a colorful parade will make its way through downtown from 9 to 11 a.m. Also, on July 4, the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra will perform a family-friendly patriotic pops concert at the Pepsi Amphitheater in Forth Tuthill County Park south of the city. The event begins at 3 p.m. and is free. Bring lawn chairs and blankets.
The party continues at Fort Tuthill when Flagstaff 4th Fest starts at 5 p.m. Tuesday and includes face painting, crafts, food trucks and live music by Black Lemon. Instead of fireworks, a state of the art laser light show will fill the night sky starting at 9 p.m. www.flagstaffarizona.org.
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Show Low: FreedomFest concerts and fireworks
Celebrate America’s independence in the cool pines of Show Low on July 4. The celebration starts at 9 a.m. with a parade along the Deuce of Clubs.
As it wraps up, head for Frontier Park, 650 N. Ninth Place, for the SplashZone event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids will love the new interactive splash pad, which opened in May. And the fire department will be on hand, periodically unleashing sprinklers and geysers of water. If all goes as planned, there won’t be a dry kid in Show Low by noon.
At 3 p.m. it’s time to head to FreedomFest at the Show Low Football Stadium complex, 500 W. Linden Road. There will be specialty foods and desserts along the midway. Bands keep the party rocking and a BMX Super Hero Stunt Show performs three shows of high-flying acrobatics. Fireworks are scheduled at 9 p.m. All events are free. 928-537-2326, www.showlowchamber.com.
Payson: Fireworks over Green Valley Lake
Fireworks exploding above Green Valley Lake in Payson will make a gorgeous holiday memory.
On July 4, families start gathering at the park for a full slate of lawn and water games that begin at 1 p.m. There will be an egg carry race, water balloon toss, tug of war, cornhole, giant Jenga, a 75-foot slip and slide and more.
The Payson event will feature food trucks and vendors. They start dishing up free watermelon (while supplies last) at 4 p.m., just as the band takes the stage. But save room to enter the pie-eating contest.
Fireworks go off at 9 p.m., high above the water. Since parking is limited, a shuttle service runs from Payson High School, 301 S. McLane Road, to Green Valley Park starting at 12:30 p.m. 928-472-5110, www.paysonrimcountry.com.
Find the reporter at www.rogernaylor.com. Or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RogerNaylorinAZor Twitter @AZRogerNaylor.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Best Fourth of July 2023 celebrations around Arizona
