This year’s Independence Day celebration took place across three days, with the Kids Parade and the beginning of Malad’s Got Talent on the 3rd, the majority of events on the 4th, and the Street Dance on the 5th.  As is usually the case, the weather was clear and hot, and the town filled with people for a busy holiday session.

The day of the 4th began with a Fun Run, followed by the parade led by Grand Marshals Ralph and Lamona Bennett.  Afterward, events largely took place in the park, including games, kids races, food, talent, music, and more.  Other events took place around the valley and in town during the holiday observance, and there was no reason for anyone not to have something to do.  

This year’s melodrama “The Great Ice Cream Scheme” played at the Iron Door Playhouse downtown during the hottest hours of the afternoon to provide an escape during the heat of the day, and the fireworks lit the sky on Thursday night.

The street dance, featuring Rough Stock, filled a closed street on Bannock during the evening hours of Friday, with watermelon provided by Thomas Market and dancing provided by everyone who showed up!

The fourth is one of the highlights of the summer, coming as it does more or less right in between the end of one school year and the start of another.  Coming on the heels of the Welsh Festival and a month before the beginning of Fair season, the celebration is also right at the center of the town’s event calendar.  Luckily, it’s a holiday with something for everyone, and their relatives.  

For many people, the Fourth is a time when the family who has moved abroad and about returns to town to spend some relaxing time with each other and catch up.  Based on anecdotal reports throughout the weekend, as well as sightings of those who hadn’t been sighted in some time, that was the case.  

The city events gave everyone something to do, from the youngest toddlers who toddled their way through the races, to the older adults who vied for the rare and valuable shade to watch everything unfold.  

Patriotism was the order of the day, as music and events all kept the flag central to the festivities.  There’s nothing like a hometown Independence Day to bring people together.