Despite their own diminutive size, the Verde Valley’s five incorporated communities can sometimes overshadow their unincorporated neighbors.
This means that many of the quirky events organized by these communities pass by without locals knowing.
This July 4, Beaver Creekers — that is, residents of Rimrock, Lake Montezuma and McGuireville — will be celebrating Independence Day with a variety of events at Rollins Park in the Lake Montezuma Village Square, culminating the fun with a duck race down a stretch of Wet Beaver Creek.
“The Kiwanis Donation Pancake Breakfast starts off the celebration in Rollins Park from 7 to 9 a.m.,” stated Beaver Creek Kiwanis media representative Janet Aniol. “The parade begins at 9 a.m. from Sycamore Park at the bridge and travels down Montezuma Avenue to near the Village Square. Festivities follow immediately afterward in Rollins Park, which include music, free food until gone, award of parade ribbons, free books and games and information tables.
The Kiwanis Duck Race starts at noon on Wet Beaver Creek in Sycamore Park and finishes at the bridge.
“The morning is extra special if you are actually in the parade,” Aniol said, adding that there are monetary prizes for the duck race as well as other prizes donated by area businesses. Ribbon awards will be given out for the parade, which Aniol said is the second-largest annual event hosted by the community “For the parade, people are lined up and down Montezuma Avenue. We had 300 to 400 people last year.”
“We’ve got all kinds of floats,” Beaver Creek Kiwanis President Carol Keeton said, adding that many neighborhoods, veterans organizations and civic groups get involved. “Some of them are pretty elaborate. We never know.”
Keeton added that the event is well over two decades old in the community — “since Kiwanis has been in existence in the community.”
Program participants and donors include Beaver Creek Baptist Church, Grace Community Lutheran Church, Beaver Creek Adult Center, Beaver Creek Philharmonic, Montezuma Family Dental, Friends of Beaver Creek Library, Montezuma-Rimrock Fire District Auxiliary and Montezuma Rimrock Fire District First Responders.
Keeton said that the organizers prefer knowing who will be in the parade, but no one will be turned away who wants to take part in the fun. Sign up for the parade by stopping by the Montezuma-Rimrock Fire Station or calling 567-7428. For other information about participating or volunteering, call Keeton at 606-4050.
