June 29, 2018
Top 4 Things to Do July 4th in Prescott, AZ
You just can’t beat Prescott, Arizona’s 4th of July celebration with its small-town atmosphere that harkens back to a simpler time in America. The event draws people from all over the world to experience the worlds oldest rodeo, live bands, food, games, and of course, the biggest fireworks display around. We’ve gathered our favorite four things to do in Prescott on July 4th, for your must-do list.
1. Fireworks
This not-to-miss event begins at noon at Mile High Middle School, 300 S. Granite St., Prescott. Fireworks are at 9 p.m. Bring chairs for an evening of fun. General admission is $5 and an unlimited inflatables pass is available for kids for $10. No coolers, no canopies, no outside liquids, no outside food and no animals. Sealed water bottles are permitted. More information is here: http://www.prescott-az.gov/event/4th-of-july-celebration-downtown-fireworks/.
2. Rodeo
Combine the two most popular 4th of July activities by attending a rodeo before fireworks at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds. Prescott Frontier Days, Inc., honors the “stay cowboy” way of life by presenting the 131st annual World’s Oldest Rodeo®. “Stay Cowboy” is a registered trademark with the State of Arizona and represents a friendly reminder of back in the day when people treated each other with kindness and embraced business decisions with a simple handshake. It represents the simple way of life but also has significance in the rodeo arena that stems back to the early 1900s when cowboys were encouraged to “Stay Cowboy, Stay” meaning to stay in the “well” (a.k.a. the saddle) while riding a bucking horse that required an eight-second ride to qualify for cash prizes and possibly a title.
Since 1888, this traditional event has occurred annually over the 4th of July weekend with eight performances. The rodeos run June 28 through July 4, with the 4th of July performance at 1:30 p.m., leaving plenty of time to see the fireworks at 9 p.m.
The Rodeo Grounds are at 848 Rodeo Dr., Prescott. See schedule and more information.
3. Outdoor Adventure
Maybe you can squeeze in a quick hike, horseback ride or kayaking adventure before heading to the celebration. Or stay around for another day and enjoy fishing, mountain biking and end the day at one of the local restaurants or breweries. We’ve listed several things to do in our previous blog, 25 Things to Do in Prescott and Beyond.
4. Western History
Additionally, we have one more suggestion for history buffs. The Beale Wagon Road Exhibit at the Smoki Museum, 147 North Arizona Avenue, Prescott, features the Beale Wagon Road of 1857, the first federally funded road across the territory. The road helped promote settlement into the Southwest. Perspectives of the Diné, the Hopi, the Yavapai, and the Apache add to the depth of this unique exhibit. The Native voice is heard through generations of people whose land, culture, economy, and social systems were altered by the invasion. This exhibit runs through November 13, 2018.
With Prescott at an elevation of 5,200 feet, expect the weather to be close to perfect, around 90 degrees. Along the way, enjoy the breathtaking landscapes around town, including Granite Mountains, the Dells, lakes, streams, and rolling meadows filled with wildlife. Whatever combination you decide upon, enjoy the day, the weather and the people of Arizona as we commemorate the adoption of our Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
If you love Prescott, but like your independence, visit Talking Rock talkingrockaz.com.
Thirty minutes from downtown Prescott, this private, guard-gated master-planned community offers a variety of home sites and new customized homes, whether you want to live on the golf course or adjacent to Arizona State Trust Land. Home sites are ½ to 10-acres in size, and ready-to-move-in homes are also available.
Photos courtesy City of Prescott, Visit Prescott.