Blanding set to celebrate epic Fourth of July

Large crowds are expected to gather in Blanding this week for a grand Independence Day celebration. The celebration culminates on July 4, a full 250 years after the Declaration of Independence was issued from Philadelphia during the American Revolution.
“Made in America” is the theme of the annual celebration. Highlights will include a large parade, concerts, class and family reunions, numerous sports competitions, great food and more, culminating with a massive fireworks show, presented by the experts, on Saturday evening.
Visit Blanding.City for more information, times, applications, and registrations or contact Ben Muhlestein at bmuhlestein@blanding-ut.gov
A full series of events starts on Wednesday, July 1 with “Wash Your Troubles Away”, the 43rd annual melodrama presented at the Utah State University Arts and Events Center. The play is presented each evening at 7 pm at the outdoor stage, beginning July 1 and running through July 4, with a finale on Monday, July 6. See the story on page XX.
With the melodrama, there are three events on Thursday, July 2, including a chalk art competition at Centennial Park.
A six-on-six volleyball tournament will begin at 5 pm. This is a fundraiser for the volleyball programs.
Friday has a full schedule of sporting events, including an inaugural “Stars, Stripes and Slams” pickleball tournament. The fundraiser for the San Juan High School track program begins at 7:30 am with a mixed doubles format.
An American Ace Cornhole Tournament starts at 8 am on Friday at Central Park. $20 fee per team.
The Jason Workman Memorial Mini Madness Softball Tournament begins on Friday at 9 am Age groups are for eighth grade and younger. Cost is $250. Contact Nataiah Giddings at 435-459-1534.
Diving for Dollars will start at 10:30 am at the swimming pool, with four age groups between ages four and 11.
All night softball begins at 4:30 pm with the Shane Warenski Memorial Midnight Madness Softball Tournament. The first 24 teams to sign up will be in the tournament. Incoming sophomores and older can participate. $300. 
Additional events on Friday includes Scales and Tales at 9 am at the Blanding Elementary School cafeteria.
The educational show, hosted by the Blanding Library, includes animal handling, with large lizards, snakes, turtles, and alligator, in addition to spiders, scorpions, and more. The event is hosted by the Blanding Library.
Scales and Tales will also start at 1 pm at the Monticello Library.
The Cedar Mesa Symphonic Orchestra will present a free patriotic concert beginning at 4 pm at the San Juan High School Auditorium. Local performers come from across San Juan County.
An ATV Poker Run begins at 5 pm on Friday. Contestants must meet at the Sunrise Outfitting office at 976 South Main by 5 pm. Contact Josh Nielson at 435-459-9676 for more details. There is a $25 fee per hand fee. Once registered, participants will receive their first card and can hit the trail to collect a hand of cards for a drawing with awesome prizes!
The preliminary days are just a warm-up for a massive community-wide celebration on Saturday, July 4.
Events begin with a 6:30 am 5K run beginning at Centennial Park. There is also a 5K walk at 6 a.m. and a 1-mile fun run at 7:15. Contact Race Director Holly Walker at hollykwalker22@gmail.com for more details.
Join the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast at 8 am at Centennial Park, with Mayor Trevor Olson and special patriotic program.
The Independence Day Parade begins at 10 am along the traditional parade route starting at San Juan High School and traveling down Main Street to 500 South.
Shan and Mike Redd are the grand marshals of the parade, which will also honor Bonnie and Truitt Purcell as citizens of the year (see stories at left), and a special lifetime achievement award for Adelle and Steve Lovell. Contact Kendra Bradford at kendra.bradford14@gmail.com for more info.
A series of events will start at 11 am, including Booths, Food and Fun at Centennial Park. Savor some of the area’s best foods, enjoy games, and buy crafts from local vendors.
The Quilting Guild Annual show also starts at 11 a.m. at Blanding Elementary School with a drawing at 4 pm.
Kids Games start after the parade at the south softball field and continue until 1:30 pm. An All-American carnival this 4th of July includes a dunk booth, pitching, golf chipping, basketball toss, prize wheel, and more. 
Sign up for the Horseshoe Tournament starting at 11 am, with the tournament starting at noon. Call Virgil Steve fat 435-459-2137.
The 6th Annual Toadhead Races start at noon on the southeast field for traditional foot races for every age! Free with popsicles and prizes for every race. 
The events continue into the evening with food vendors serving dinner and snacks in Centennial Park beginning at 5 p.m.
In addition to the melodrama, a concert in Centennial Park begins at 7 pm. Shuffle features high-powered classic rock today’s hits with a song list that covers hits from the 1970 through the 2020’s!
The fireworks show at Centennial Park will include music and vendors. Fireworks will be set off around full dark.
An estimated 2,500 communities across the country will join in an America 250 Potluck Dinner on Sunday, July 5. The event in Blanding begins at 6 pm in Centennial Park, while a similar event in Monticello begins at 1 pm at the Monticello Ball Park Pavilion. (See the story on page XX)
It all winds down in a last evening of melodrama on Monday, July 6.
Sponsors of the celebration include Energy Fuels, Redd’s Ace Hardware, Utah State University Blanding, Utah Navajo Health System, Jones & DeMille Engineering, Tri-Hurst Construction, and the Utah Association of Municipal Power Systems.