On Saturday, July 2, the City of Moab and Moab Chamber of Commerce will host a number of events in celebration of Independence Day. Activities will begin at 11 a.m. in Swanny City Park (100 W. 400 E.).
Activities will include a number of games, such as volleyball, corn hole, ladder ball, and spike ball; and two eating contests: a watermelon eating contest and donut-on-a-string contest.
“Community members are encouraged to bring friends and family and enjoy some cordial competition,” a press release says.
The Moab Valley Fire Department will do a water spray from its fire truck hourly. There will be food trucks around the park, as well as a beer garden, which will offer beverages from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will also be a photo booth open from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
KZMU will bring in two DJs, DJ Zed and Matthew A. Jonassaint, to play live music from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Moab Recreation and Aquatic Center will host two activities as well: from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., community members can enjoy free swimming at the pool; and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the MRAC will host a game of bingo.
Once the sun sets at 9 p.m., the day will close out with a free showing of “Guardians of the Galaxy,” a 2014 superhero movie about the space adventurer Peter Quill.
“We love that we are able to put together a free event for the community to enjoy and hope to see everyone there, whether swimming is their favorite hot weather activity or they love watching movies in the park,” said Kelley McInerny, director of the Moab Arts and Recreation Center.
On July 4, the City will host a fireworks display. Fireworks will be launched from Lions Back, near the Sand Flats Recreation Area, starting around 9 p.m. Fireworks set off by Moab City residents are prohibited on parkways, public trails, pedestrian paths, and parks within city limits, due to extremely dry conditions and the risk of wildfire. Fireworks are also prohibited within 200 feet of Pack Creek or Mill Creek and within 20 feet of any residence, building, structure, or combustible material.
Some fireworks are allowed, to be discharged from July 2 to July 5 only. Fireworks that are never allowed include fireworks that fly, explode, or travel more than 6 feet off the ground; aerial and flash shells, roman candles, comets and mortars; and firecrackers, bottle and aerial rockets.
