70th Camp Verde parade dodges rain

Just hours before rainstorms swept through the Verde Valley, Camp Verde celebrated its past with the 70th annual Fort Verde Days Parade on Saturday, Oct. 10. 

The parade, which started a weekend celebration of Camp Verde’s past with events including the Little Britches and Petticoat Contest the following Sunday, Oct. 11, saw a procession of 40 organizations, local businesses and more take to Main Street.

Kicking off the parade was the Camp Verde Cavalry.  

Ruby Acock, 14, in her second year riding with the Cavalry, rode sidesaddle atop her horse, Jessie, in a reproduction of a late-19th century dress provided by Fort Verde State Historic Park.

“The calvary group I’m riding with has been in it for quite a while, we’re all here to show that Camp Verde should still have this and show what we do,” she said.

This year’s grand marshal was longtime Camp Verde educator Bob Weir, who waved to the crowds from the back of a Ford Bronco, black cowboy hat perched on his head.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized for that role within the community and through the school districts,” Weir said.

The parade continued with a procession of vintage cars, trucks decorated to resemble Uncle Sam, bands performing from the backs of flatbeds and even two miniature horses, Easy and Dash, pulling two small carts.

With just weeks before Election Day, Arizona State Senate District 1 Democratic candidate Christine Dargon walked in the parade, meeting with voters in an outfit that included a glittery, flag blue cowboy hat topped with a star-spangled wreath.