GRAHAM COUNTY — The full list of events planned for the Gila Valley 250 Independence Day celebration has been announced.
Activities will take place throughout Graham County, 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 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 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. The Town of Pima will also put on a short patriotic program.
7 a.m.
A 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, sponsored by Big Buckle Roofing LLC, will take place at Thatcher High School. Click here to register a team.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
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.
1 p.m.
Pima and Safford will offer free entry to their community pools, and Eastern Arizona College will have 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.
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.
9 p.m.
The ZGF band will perform again, until 11 p.m.
