SAFFORD — The Gila Valley Masonic Family-Safford Lodge No. 16, Arcadia Chapter No. 9 entered a float in the Gila Valley Fourth of July Parade showing Betsy Ross handing the first American Flag to John Hancock, the president of the second Continental Congress in 1777.
“You can’t get more patriotic than that,” lodge member Tom Sanders said.
The judges agreed, and awarded the Masonic Lodge the Most Patriotic Award during a ceremony Thursday at the Safford City Annex.
“Our fraternity is . . . one of the oldest, most honorable and well known fraternities in the world. And many of the Founding Fathers were Free Masons,” said lodge member Jared Wallace.
The Most Creative award was presented to the Boys and Girls Club of the Gila Valley, for their float, “Launch Freedom.”
Best Beautiful Presentation went to the Graham County GOP, for their float “Raised Right,” and the Best Kids on Wheels Award was given to 2023 Little Miss Mt. Turnbull Halle Quade.
Honorable mentions went to:
● Graham County Democrats, “Cruisin’ for Democracy”
● Freedom Floor Coverings Plus, “Freedom Floor Coverings Plus”
● Vining Funeral Home, “Casket Car”
● Mt. Graham Little League, “MGLL Majors All-Stars”
The parade was sponsored by the Safford Lions Club, with support from the Graham County Chamber of Commerce, Safford Downtown Association and City of Safford. There were 24 entries.
“Bigger and better next year,” said Mick Ruiz, events coordinator for the City of Safford.
