GRAHAM COUNTY — Gila Valley 250 has produced a full day of free Independence Day activities, starting as the sun rises.
5 a.m.
Two activities start the day. The Thatcher Fire Department will continue its tradition of waking up the community by driving through neighborhoods with sirens and lights on; and the Sons of the American Legion, American Legion Swift-Murphy Post 32 and American Legion Lopez-Hernandez Post 95 will conduct its 52nd annual Moe Villalba Sr. Kids Fishing Derby at the ponds at Graham County Fairgrounds.
5:30 a.m.
The Thatcher People’s Parade will take place in Thatcher. No registration to participate is required; however, the parade is non-commercial and non-political. The parade starts at Thatcher High School, traveling north on Third Avenue to Church Street, west to Stadium Avenue and then south to Splash Pad Park and the Herb Winsor Ballfields.
6 a.m.
Eastern Arizona Museum and Historical Society and Keyhole Properties will offer a free pancake, eggs and bacon breakfast to 1,000 residents of Graham County at the Edd Hubbard Field at the old Pima High School. Elected officials from across Graham County will help serve and the Town of Pima will also put on a short patriotic program.
10 a.m.
The annual Gila Valley Fourth of July Parade, sponsored by the Safford Lions Club, will take place in Safford. The parade will travel east on Main Street, from the Graham County Courthouse to 4th Avenue.
The theme is “Star-Spangled Banner” and awards will be presented for most patriotic, most creative, best use of theme and best youth entry. The grand marshals are the People of the Gila Valley, and will be represented by the elected officials of Pima, Safford, Thatcher and Graham County carrying a giant American Flag to lead the parade.
12:30 p.m.
City of Safford and Nana’s Kitchenette will provide a free hot dog, chips and drink to the first 100 children at the picnic area next to the skate park at Firth Park.
1 p.m.
Pima and Safford will offer free entry to their community pools, and there will be a Splash Pad Party at the Thatcher Splash Pad Park, with the Thatcher Fire Department additionally using its trucks to water children running on the Herb Winsor Ballfields. Thatcher will also offer a free hot dog lunch to all Gila Valley residents. Free swim at Pima Pool is sponsored by Big Buckle Roofing; free swim at Safford Pool is sponsored by Big Buckle Roofing, Gila Valley Mortgage and the City of Safford; and the Thatcher Splash Pad Party is sponsored by Eastern Arizona College and Big Buckle Roofing.
6 p.m.
Graham County and the Graham County Chamber of Commerce will host an evening of music and fireworks at Graham County Fairgrounds. Food trucks will be on site and free Popsicles will be distributed.
6:30 p.m.
The JustServe America 250 Heart of Service Awards, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will be presented on the United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties Stage on the soccer fields, to individuals and organizations who volunteer throughout the Gila Valley.
7 p.m.
The ZGF Band, presented Energy Solutions and Graham County, will perform on the United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties Stage on the soccer fields at Graham County Fairgrounds.
8:30 p.m.
Fireworks will begin, sponsored by the Safford, Pima, Thatcher and Graham County.
9 p.m.
The ZGF band will perform again, until 11 p.m.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 10:01 a.m. Thursday, July 2, 2026, to include information about free hot dogs at Safford’s Firth Park.
