Last-minute July 4th getaways in Arizona: Fireworks and lots of free fun
This year the Fourth of July falls on a Thursday. For a fortunate few that means a four-day weekend. And anyone in metro Phoenix who is blessed with a string of summer days off immediately starts planning where they can spend them.
This is the perfect chance for a memorable road trip.
Don’t squander such a golden opportunity to get out and explore Arizona. Independence Day celebrations are taking place in towns all over the state. Start there and then imagine all the other things you can do once you’re in Prescott, Flagstaff, Mogollon Rim Country or the White Mountains.
No matter what your direction, keep our forests safe. Please obey all fire restrictions. Let’s get through the holiday generating nothing but great memories.
Boom! Ultimate guide to every Fourth of July fireworks show in metro Phoenix
Flagstaff
In Flag, they tend to do Independence Day a little differently. It starts with hundreds of people running through the early morning streets of downtown, many of them in costume. And that’s before the actual parade gets going.
The Downtown Mile is like a parade set to fast forward. Starting at 6:30 a.m. July 4, runners start off in waves, sprinting or jogging through the streets much to the delight of spectators. Some are serious competitors and some are festively adorned. But everyone is there for a good time.
At 9 a.m., the traditional parade follows the same route through the historic downtown. Perhaps any stragglers from the Downtown Mile will be given a recorder and inducted into the ranks of a marching band.
Also on July 4, the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra performs a family-friendly patriotic pops concert at the Pepsi Amphitheater in Forth Tuthill County Park. The event begins at 3 p.m. and is free. Bring lawn chairs and blankets.
The Downtown Street Faire takes place in Heritage Square July 4-5. It features live music, a photo booth, face painters and more. Hours are 1:30-8 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday.
Everything turns arty in Flag on July 5. First Friday Art Walk goes from 5-9 p.m. It’s a monthly street party when galleries and businesses stay open with special exhibitions, performances and live music.
Of course, the centerpiece attraction of the weekend is the always popular Art in the Park. The juried arts and crafts festival features more than 70 artists from across the Southwest.
The event takes place on the big shady lawn of Wheeler Park downtown July 5-7. Bands perform through each day, food vendors are on hand and an expansive beer garden serves local and regional brews. Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
Details: www.flagstaffarizona.org.
Show Low Fourth of July events
Cool off in the White Mountains where the Show Low celebration goes on all day July 4.
The parade begins at 9 a.m. as it rolls along the Deuce of Clubs main drag. As soon as the parade wraps up, SplashZone in Frontier Park gets going. Sprinklers and fire hoses soak down a couple of soccer fields and they break out the slip-and-slides and other water toys.
You’ll just have time to dry off for FreedomFest, which starts at 3 p.m. at Show Low High School. There will be food trucks, live music, games and bounce houses. New this year is the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, highlighting logging skills in a thrilling spectacle.
Fireworks are scheduled at 9 p.m. All events are free, except the Fun Zone where unlimited ride wristbands costs $5.
Details: 928-532-4000, www.showlowaz.gov.
Taylor 4th of July rodeo and anvil firing
The festivities continue all weekend in the White Mountains with Taylor dishing up a little Old West charm. It all happens Friday and Saturday, July 5-6, at Taylor Rodeo Park, including the unique tradition of anvil launching, a night rodeo and fireworks. An arts and crafts show complete with food vendors takes place both days.
On Friday, calf roping starts at noon and cowboy poetry and country music kick off at 7 p.m. But plan on getting an early start because the firing of the anvil kicks things off with a thunderclap at 5 a.m. They pack an anvil with black powder, light the fuse, and watch it fly. That’s followed by a pancake breakfast and barrel racing events.
The 70th annual Taylor Night Rodeo starts at 7 p.m. Friday, fireworks are at 9 p.m. and the evening ends with a dance at the pavilion at 9:30. All events are free, except the night rodeo — those tickets are $10.
Details: 928-536-4331, www.snowflaketaylorchamber.org.
Payson Fourth of July 2024
Fireworks exploding above Green Valley Lake in Payson will make a gorgeous holiday memory.
On Thursday, July 4, families start gathering at Green Valley Park for a full slate of lawn and water games that begin at 1 p.m. There will be tug of war, cornhole, Connect 4, slip-and-slides and other water games. A new splash pad was added to the playground in June.
Food trucks and vendors will also be on hand. They start dishing up free watermelon (while supplies last) at 4 p.m., just as the band takes the stage. But don’t get too full because the pie-eating contest is open to hungry adults and kids alike. It starts at 6 p.m.
Fireworks go off at 9, high above the water. Since parking is limited, a shuttle service runs from Payson High School to Green Valley Park starting at noon.
Details: 928-472-5110, www.paysonrimcountry.com.
Prescott 4th of July 2024
The World’s Oldest Rodeo in Prescott gets a jump on the holiday, with Prescott Frontier Days starting July 1 and running through July 7 at Prescott Rodeo Grounds. This is Mardi Gras for the bowlegged. For a complete schedule of events, check the website.
The World’s Oldest Rodeo Parade streams through downtown past Courthouse Plaza beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 6.
Courthouse Plaza will be bustling all weekend with the Prescott Rodeo Days Art & Crafts Show. The juried art show spreads out beneath the shady elms and features paintings, pottery, jewelry, metal works, home décor and plenty more. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. www.worldsoldestrodeo.com.
There’s a big party at Watson Lake Park on July 4, and that’s where the fireworks will go off. It’s a full day of revelry from 1-10 p.m. with food vendors, live music, water slides and a beer garden. Fireworks light up the sky above the lake at 9.
General admission is free. The activity zone with water slides, inflatables, face painting and a photo booth is $30. Early entry and VIP experiences are available for a fee. Free parking and shuttle at Pioneer Park.
Details: For information and to purchase tickets in advance, visit www.prescottsfourth.com.
Prescott Valley Fourth of July fireworks
Enjoy a great day of family fun at Prescott Valley Civic Center when they unleash their Red, White, and Boom extravaganza.
The festivities start at 3 p.m. July 4 and include carnival rides, water bounce houses, food trucks, live music and a big boom-boom-boom at the end with the fireworks. Best part: It’s all free, except the food, of course. Better get there early for a good spot.
Details: 928-759-3090, www.prescottvalley-az.gov.
Find the reporter at www.rogernaylor.com. Or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RogerNaylorinAZ or Twitter @AZRogerNaylor.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Fourth of July 2024: Best Arizona road trips for the long weekend
