Independence Day will be celebrated in Moab with a full-day of activities from a parade in the morning, a day of picnic fun at the park, swimming in the afternoon, a farmer’s market in the evening and fireworks that night.
The Patriots on Parade is open to anyone who wants to dress in red, white and blue.
The parade is organized by Moab resident Jim Thuesen.
“He dressed up last year as Uncle Sam,” said Jodie Hugentobler, the new director of the Moab Chamber of Commerce.
Thuesen said it is a small town parade with lots of locals, but tourists are welcome to join in as well.
“Just show up at the start of the parade and we’ll show them where to line-up,” Thuesen said. “We ask that they wear red, white and blue and be patriotic. We encourage people to carry flags, lots and lots of flags.”
It’s a short five block walk that takes about a half-hour to do.
“It’s good for people who have small kids, or for the elderly,” he said. “We love to have children on their bikes and trikes.”
Thuesen said he’s been working with the parade since the Chamber of Commerce has been hosting the Fourth of July celebration at the city park, for about 11 or 12 years.
Fire trucks start the parade.
“They will be there as long as they don’t have to be somewhere else,” he said.
The parade route ends at Swanny City Park, where the Moab Chamber of Commerce will hold their annual Fourth of July celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“It’s a good small town celebration,” Hugentobler said. “It’s a big party at the park.”
Sweet Cravings will host a pie eating contest. There will be a watermelon eating contest and the dunk tank.
“There are lots of free activities,” Hugentobler said.
The Grand County High School volleyball team will be on hand to teach volleyball skills throughout the day. They will start a four-on-four volleyball tournament at 8 a.m., pausing only for the parade at 9:30 a.m.
Vendors will be selling food. Grand County Middle School cheerleaders will be selling Navajo tacos.
“The Chamber will be selling water bottles and cotton candy,” Hugentobler said.
As the Chamber’s festivities wind down, the city pool will open its door for free swimming. The Moab Aquatic and Recreation Center will host free open swim from 1:30 to 5 p.m.
The Youth Garden Project will host their weekly Moab Farmer’s Market from 5 to 8 p.m. at Swanny City Park. The weekly market held each Thursday evening features local and regional produce, handcrafted goods, fine art, baked goods. This week it will feature live entertainment by Jeff Brennan and friends playing bluegrass and folk music.
“We will be having a full and lively market,” said Leslie Allred, the manager of the Moab Farmers Market.
Fireworks will fly in the eastern sky as the night darkens around 10 p.m. The annual show is provided by Grand County, the City of Moab and the Grand County Recreation District. This year local radio station KCYN 97.1 will provide music to accompany the firework show.
4th of July Itinerary
Patriots on Parade
When: 9:30 a.m.
Where: Begins at 500 West and 400 North, ends at Swanny City Park 100 West and 400 North
To be in the parade, meet at MC’s on the corner at 9 a.m.
Moab Area Chamber of Commerce
Annual Fourth of July Celebration
When: 9:30 to 2 p.m.
Where: Swanny City Park, 400 North 100 West
Free Swim
When: 1:30 to 5 p.m.
Where: Moab Aquatic and Recreation Center, 200 West 400 North
Moab Farmer’s Market
When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Swanny City Park, 100 West 300 North
Fireworks
Fourth of July Fireworks Display sponsored by Grand County, the Grand County Recreation District, and the City of Moab. Fireworks will be choreographed to a playlist and aired on KCYN and showcased from Lions Back at around dark.
Just show up at the start of the parade and we’ll show them where to line-up. We encourage people to carry flags, lots and lots of flags.”
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