Blanding prepares for annual Fourth of July fun

by David Boyle
The City of Blanding and its residents are hard at work preparing for the 2015 Independence Day celebration, which centers on the Fourth of July and stretches into days before and after.
The annual festivities attract thousands of locals and former residents to celebrate American Independence.
The parade begins on Saturday, July 4 at 10:30 a.m. Floats will reflect the theme America: liberty, protection & prosperity.
Grand marshalls for the parade are Joe F. and Marilyn Lyman, along with Betty Dandy.
The Lymans and Dandy are recognized for years of service and civic mindedness.
Festivities begin on Friday July 3, with a paintball tournament beginning in the morning; in addition, the Rotary Club car show and dinner will run through the afternoon.
Starting at 5:30 p.m. is the Annual Shane Warenski Memorial Softball tournament. The tournament starts at 5:30 p.m. and goes all through the night, ending around dawn.
The festivities pick right up early on Saturday with a 5K run, followed by the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast.
The prayer breakfast will feature Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox as a speaker. Breakfast will be available following the program.
Immediately following the parade, vendors will set up at Centennial Park with food, merchandise and games.
Kids can look forward to games in the park, as well as swimming opportunities including diving for dollars and races, all followed by an open swim.
There will be plenty of opportunities to show off athletic ability, as this year includes a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, a 7-on-7 football tournament, a horseshoe tournament and a co-ed volleyball tournament.
The evening wraps up with the band “Famous Unknowns”, who will play a free show from 7 to 10 p.m.
Soon after dark will be the annual culminating fireworks show. The fireworks show is one of the biggest in the area and is set to patriotic music.
The Edge of the Seaters Theatre Company will perform a melodrama at 7:30 p.m. every night, from July 2 through July 6, excluding Sunday.

Schedule of events