Celebrate Independence Day in Flagstaff

Carrying the Flag in the Flagstaff 4th of July Parade

The Flagstaff Parade

The Independence Day Parade line-up begins at 8 a.m. and you’ll want to grab a spot on the downtown Flagstaff route early to enjoy this great Flagstaff tradition. So many people march that I sometimes wonder who is left to watch, but the crowd usually numbers over 10,000 people. The Flagstaff Independence Day Parade steps off at 9 a.m. with Flagstaff Teacher of the Year, Robert Kelty, as the Grand Marshall.

There are at least 100 entries in the Flagstaff parade -- exactly who they are is a tightly kept secret until the parade program is passed out by a group of Cub Scouts at the beginning of the parade. Here is the scoop on some of the marchers: One of the first is line is The Flagstaff Exchange Club, which will be handing out flags for you to wave throughout the rest of the parade. I usually march with this group, but the Club is well-staff this year and I have other parade responsibilities so I’ll be farther down in the line-up with the Coconino County Democratic Party – they will be the ones carrying the big flag.

Right behind the County Democrats will come a separate organization – the Flagstaff chapter of Democracy for America. They will be the ones with the Prius and wearing the purple Obama shirts. About the same time in the parade you’ll see marchers for PFLAG Flagstaff, Equality Arizona and Northern Arizona Pride Association. A number of candidates will have separate parade entries, including County Attorney candidate Dave Rozema. But it’s not all about politics.

Look for horses, dancing grannies, faith groups, Native Americans,  the Italian Americans, the VFW, the Sheriff’s Posse, and all that makes living in Flagstaff a wonderful, diverse experience. One of the unique entries will be the marchers representing the Flagstaff Dark Skies Coalition -- percussionists celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first dark skies ordinance in Flagtaff, AZ. Of course, the Northern Arizona University Alumni will be marching in celebration of Flagstaff's home town university.

Come celebrate our great country’s Independence Day at the Flagstaff 4th of July parade!

After The Parade Events

After the parade, you can stop in at 4 S. San Francisco Street and register to vote. The County Democratic Party will hold an open house with donuts beginning at 8 a.m. and will remain open as a water stop and for voter registration until the crowd thins out after the parade. Stop by and buy Obama gear for the coming election season.

The first day of the 53rd Annual Coconino County Horse Races is July 4. The races continue throughout the weekend. Ft. Tuthill (Coconino County Fairgrounds) is the place to go for these.

Want to learn a bit more about Flagstaff’s history on this historic day? Make a reservation for an historic tour of downtown Flagstaff, which begins from the Visitors’ Center at 3 p.m. The tour is free, but reservations are required. 928-774-9541.

What’s a holiday in Flagstaff without an art? There are at least three art-related events on Friday, July 4:

Beginning at 9 a.m. and running until 6 p.m., enjoy Art in the Park – Wheeler Park that is. This is an arts and crafts festival featuring tightly juried one-of-a-kind fine arts and fine crafts. In addition to the quality arts and crafts booths there are food vendors, children's activities and non-stop entertainment featuring local and regional musicians and dancers. No admission fee.

Starting at 11 a.m. and continuing to 8 p.m., visit the East Side Ten at 2029 N 1st St. The Eastside Ten believe art should raise questions not answer them. In celebration of Independence Day in Flagstaff, they asked the question What are Unamerican Activities? Responses from artists around the country came in art, writing, music, and performance. Artists addressed cross-dressing, marriage, suicide, meat-eating, heroes, and more “overtly” political themes.  Are they “Un-American” or ultimately very “American”? That's up to the viewer to decide.

Of course, the 4th of July is also First Friday Artwalk in Flagstaff. Many of the participating galleries (scores of them!) will open right after the conclusion of the parade. Download a map to the Flagstaff galleries by clicking here.

The Laser Light Show and Flagstaff Symphony Performance at the Pine Mountain Amphitheatre is sold out. So, if you don’t have tickets, enjoy the music and art in downtown Flagtaff instead.

The movie at Heritage Square at dusk is The Last Mimzy. Dave Stilley will perform some music beginning at 6 p.m. as the crowd gathers for the movie.

RE/MAX Peak Properties will be closed Friday in honor of our national holiday. The office will be open again Saturday and Sunday. Team Heitland will be hard at work on Flagstaff real estate Saturday and Sunday, but we're taking off on the 4th to celebrate with our friends and enjoy the day of civic activities and celebration.

Have a safe and wonderful 4th of July in Flagstaff!