Folks looking for an old-fashioned way to celebrate our nation’s birth this year need look no farther than Centerville where the festivities will take place Saturday, July 1, Monday, July 2 and Tuesday, July 4.

The majority of the festivities will take place July 1. Since putting on the celebration requires the help of hundreds of volunteers and most locals prefer to spend time with family on July 4, this works better for the community, Celebration Committee Chair Kimberly Curnow said. “We’ve kept the tradition of our residents coming together and helping with this.” 

That day the celebration will kick off with a 9 a.m. children’s parade beginning at Main Street and Sunset where kids can ride their decorated bikes, scooters, moms can push their little ones in strollers, or they can just walk. Everyone gets to enjoy a free popsicle afterwards. Then it will be time to head on over to Community Park where most of the festivities will take place. Throughout the day, local talent will be performing on the main stage. In the Red, White and Fun Zones there will be lots of games, nine-square, face painting, bounce houses and miniature-horse carriage rides. Food trucks and food booths will offer a variety of food.

Those wanting to get out of the heat for a while can view the art and quilt show across the street from the park at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints meeting house. Artists can find entry details on the city website. That evening Nathan Osmond and the Homeland Band will headline the evening’s free concert which will be followed at dusk by the traditional fireworks show from local resident Don Christensen.

Then on Monday, July 3 there will be a Children’s Entrepreneurial Market at Smith Park from 5 to 8 p.m. The celebration will continue Tuesday, July 4 with the Rotary Club Freedom Run, beginning at 250 N. Main St. Runners will head off on the 5K at 7 a.m. while the One Mile Race for ages 12 and under will begin at 8 a.m. Ribbons will be awarded to winners in each age group. Kids 8 and under can participate in the free 1/4 Mile Race which will begin around 8:15 a.m. 

The annual Main Street parade which this year has a theme of “Proud of Where We Come From” will begin at 9 a.m.; there will be a cash prize for best themed entry. Parade grand marshals from the canceled 2022 parade – three generations of the Tingey family – will ride in the parade along with 2023 grand marshals, the Maxfield Family Clowns. (This year the parade will travel the traditional route but in a new direction from north to south). 

Curnow is excited to finally have the first full celebration since 2019 after COVID curtailed events in 2020 and 2021. Then last year, a fire on the mountain above Centerville led to the cancellation of the Freedom Run and the parade.

“We are super excited to be able to celebrate again on the 4th with having our Main Street Parade which is a big tradition for our city,” she said. “So, we’re excited to have it back and are looking forward to it. The last time we did it was in 2019 so we are ready for it.

Some details have yet to be worked out so visit the city website at https://www.centervilleutah.gov/167/4th-of-July-Celebration for the most up-to-date information, Curnow said. The city will also publish the information in the city newsletter and on its social media channels.

Neighboring Farmington City will celebrate 176 years as a community with Festival Days July 10-15. On Tuesday, July 11 at the Farmington Gymnasium there will be a 3 on 3 basketball tournament beginning at 3:15 p.m. for high school and junior high ages. Adult matches will start at 6: 15 p.m. The annual Children's Parade will take place that evening at 6:15 p.m. at Regional Park. Kids are encouraged to come with their decorated bikes or add some decorations (while supplies last) at the event. There will be some bike safety activities while they wait for the parade to begin. There will be prizes for the best entries.

New this year is the Guns & Hoses Charity Softball Game at the Station Park Ball Fields where folks can have dinner and cheer as the Farmington Police Department and Fire Department square off at 7 p.m. to raise money for charity. Following the game, a free movie will be shown in the park. Concessions will be available during the game and the movie.

For the more active, pickleball fans can participate in the festival’s pickleball tournament which will be held July 12 to 14 at Regional Park beginning at 8 a.m. each day. On July 12, the fitness-minded can join local fitness instructors at 10 a.m. For a High FITT class. Later that day, the Chalk Art Festival and competition will kick off just north of the Farmington City Pool. Entries may be viewed through July 15. The winning pieces will be featured on the city website.

The big day will be Saturday, July 15. The 5K and 10K races will begin at 7 a.m. at Farmington Elementary. After the races, city officials will serve up breakfast at Forbush Park from 7 to 9 a.m. Then at 10 a.m. the Festival Days parade will kick off at 500 N. Main. Recently-retired judge and former Farmington mayor David Connors and his wife Cori will serve as grand marshals.  

The rest of the day’s events will begin at 11 a.m. at Forbush Park. Throughout the day there will be entertainment, food trucks, vendors, a carnival, car show and farmer’s market. Local talent (to be determined) will provide the preshow entertainment for the free concert beginning at 6:30 p.m. At 8 p.m.1980s tribute band The Spazmatics will perform. The celebration will wrap up with a traditional fireworks show at dusk.

People come from across Davis Country to enjoy Festival Days which usually sees 10,000 to 13,000 visitors, Tia Trevino, Farmington arts and events coordinator, said. “It’s a really great family event. It’s a chance for it to be a small community moment: it’s Mayberry plus roller coasters. So, we want people to come out and meet their neighbors, listen to good music and enjoy the fireworks.” 

Details may be found at https://parksandrec.farmington.utah.gov/festival-days.