SHOW LOW, Ariz. (June 8, 2016) – Come celebrate our nation’s birthday on Monday, July 4, at Show Low’s family-friendly signature events — the annual parade in the morning, a wet zone to follow and FreedomFest in the afternoon. Find your spot for the annual parade, which begins at 9 a.m. along the Deuce of Clubs from City Park on the east and turns south on White Mountain Road to Hall Street. This year’s parade theme is “America the Beautiful,” an appropriate tribute to this year’s grand marshal, Harmony Latham, Miss USA Rodeo 2016.
Applications for interested parade entrants are still available and must be submitted by Monday, June 27. The final deadline for applications is 5 p.m. June 29, but would be subject to a $25 late fee.
Expect road closures and detours during the parade. The Deuce of Clubs (US 60) will be closed between Whipple Road and S. White Mountain Road (SR 260) from 8:45 until approximately 11:30 a.m., with eastbound and westbound detours established. The eastbound detour begins at the Deuce of Clubs and Whipple Road intersection, with the Deuce of Clubs closing to traffic at this location. Traffic will be routed to Whipple Road to Central Avenue and south on Woolford Road to S. White Mountain Road, where the White Mountain Entertainment Show Low 5 movie theaters are located. Westbound traffic on the Deuce of Clubs will be routed south on S. White Mountain Road to Woolford Road and return to the Deuce of Clubs via Whipple.
This year, rather than a “wet zone” during the parade, the city will provide a new Wet Zone event 30 minutes after the parade ends at Frontier Fields, 600 N. 9th Place. All ages are invited to come and have a wet and wild time, free of charge, until 1:30 p.m. Have fun frolicking through the sprinklers, get soaked from Timber Mesa Fire and Medical District’s fire truck or enjoy other exciting water activities.
At 3 p.m., head over to the Show Low football stadium complex, 500 W. Old Linden Road, to enjoy the popular FreedomFest festivities — with free admission — planned to last well into the evening. Relish tasty fare, including BBQ, kettle corn, shaved ice, pizza, Indian tacos, funnel cakes, hand-crafted soda, poppin’ johnny ice cream and other delectable treats. The All American Fun zone — for the young and young at heart — features a giant slide, Ferris wheel, super swing, bounce houses and much more. Live music throughout the day with a variety of entertainers kicks off at 3 p.m., culminating with headliner, “Mogollon,” performing at 7:30 p.m. and again after the spectacular fireworks display, which begins at 9 p.m. (depending on weather conditions).
All events are sponsored by the Show Low Parks and Recreation Department. For more event details or information, call (928) 532-4141.