The early patriot gets the fun as the Verde Valley starts to gear up for the 250th anniversary of our country. The fun starts to ramp up during June ahead of the Fourth of July.
Camp Verde
Corn Fest: Saturday, July 18, from 9 to 10 a.m. The event will tie in the America250 theme with décor and contests/activities.
Camp Verde Heritage Pool: Saturday, July 4, the pool will have free entry with lap swim from 7 to 9 a.m. and open swim from noon to 6 p.m.
State of the Town, 40th Anniversary Celebration and America250 Event: Saturday, Sept. 12, at 5 p.m. Live music and family fun at the Community Center Field in Downtown Camp Verde.
Clarkdale
Clarkdale’s 250-Year Community Parade: Saturday, July 4, from 9 to 10 a.m. All Verde Valley residents are invited to join the march — on foot, decorated bikes, wagons or floats. However, floats must pre-register at clarkdale.az.gov/250floats.
Old Fashioned Fourth of July Event: Saturday, July 4 from 7 a.m. to noon. View a Color Guard presentation and a welcome address by Mayor Robyn Prud’homme-Bauer. Returning this year is the pancake breakfast fundraiser, free children’s games, an ice cream social, free rides on an antique fire truck and music by the Cottonwood Community Band.
Concert in the Park: Saturday, July 4, from 7 to 9 p.m. Enjoy live patriotic hits. Performed at the Clarkdale Town Park Gazebo.
Movie Showing: “The Patriot” — Thursday, July 2, at 2 p.m. A screening of the Mel Gibson 2000 film “The Patriot” takes place at the Clark Memorial Library.
Cottonwood
Gratitude for Service — America 250 Youth Card Project: Running until Monday, July 6, kids of all ages are invited to decorate cards at the Cottonwood Public Library — with materials provided — and return them to staff for mailing to U.S. veterans.
250 Bingo Cards: Running until Sunday, July 12, pick up themed bingo cards at Cottonwood Public Library or Community Sedona Library and complete fun anniversary activities. Completed cards can be returned to win a small prize. All ages welcome.
History Inspired Movies: Every Tuesday at 1 p.m. in June, enjoy free films that cover American history at the Cottonwood Public Library.
City of Cottonwood’s annual Fantastic Family 4th of July Celebration: Saturday, July 4, from 4 to 9:30 p.m., with free food from 4 to 6 p.m., the VFW Patriotic Salute, games, activities and vendors. Wristbands for the inflatables are $10. Parking is $1 per vehicle. The Verde Valley’s only fireworks display starts at 9 p.m.
Jerome
Founder’s Fourth of July Parade: Saturday, July 4, at 10 a.m. Everyone in the Verde Valley is invited to participate in the Founder’s 4th of July Parade, which commemorates Jerome’s founding in 1876 and the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Yavapai-Apache Nation
Yavapai-Apache Nation stages a Rodney Carrington Concert on Friday, July 3, at 8 p.m. Carrington is bringing his signature style of country comedy to Cliff Castle Casino.
Sedona
Stars, Stripes and Skates: Wednesday, July 1, through Sunday, July 5, Sedona Parks and Recreation will have a free summer ice skating rink setup near the Community Pool in Posse Grounds Park. Use of the rink is free and skates will be provided.
“We really think it’s going to be a fun opportunity for kids of all ages to come around and have a blast that whole week leading up to our Sedona Summer Splash, which will be happening in conjunction with the skate rink being open, and it’s just going to make for even more fun of a time at the Sedona Summer Splash,” Special Events Coordinator Jason Vargo said.
Sedona Summer Splash: Saturday, July 4, from noon to 4 p.m. Sedona Parks and Recreation will host its annual free party of the summer with free entry into the Community Pool, with free food.
