SAFFORD — The Independence Day Parade is returning to the Gila Valley.
The Safford Lions Club announced the parade will take place on Safford’s Main Street Saturday, July 3, A flag-raising at Graham County Courthouse moments before the start of the parade at 10 a.m.
Grand marshal will be Gwen Lewis in memoriam of her late husband, Bill Lewis, a nearly 60-year member of the Safford Lions Club who co-developed the Lions Clubs International Melvin Jones Memorial in Fort Thomas.
Awards will be presented to parade entries in five categories:
● Most patriotic
● Most creative
● Most beautiful
● Best performance
● Best bicycle (children)
The annual fireworks exhibition will take place that evening.
To participate or sponsor, contact Parade Chairman Michael Andazola at 928-651-0271, or Pam Frost at the City of Safford at 928-432-4143.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 10:11 a.m. Wednesday, June 2, 2021, to include information about the Independence Day fireworks celebration.
