Iron County celebrates tradition, patriotism; CCNews Photo Gallery

Written by Kevin Robison
July 5, 2014
Fourth of July parade on Main Street,Cedar City, Utah, July 4, 2014 | Photo taken by Kevin Robison, Cedar City News

CEDAR CITY – Tradition and patriotism was strong in Iron County with Fourth of July Festivities lasting all day long.

The day began bright and early in Enoch City with the 5K and 10K Freedom Run and Family Walk. Familiar faces were seen as the race is a long lasting tradition and family affair for many.

The Belnap family gathered at Old Enoch Park to start the day off the way they do every year.

Spectators cheering on the Freedom Run adn Family Walk participants, Enoch, Utah, July 4, 2014 | Photo taken by Kevin Robison, Cedar City News
Spectators cheering on the Freedom Run adn Family Walk participants, Enoch, Utah, July 4, 2014 | Photo taken by Kevin Robison, Cedar City News

“It’s a fun run,” Blake Belnap from Enoch City, said. “It’s small, local and it’s just fun.”

Blake Belnap was not the only one enjoying the race as his wife and kids got in on the action.

“I had fun,” Isaac Belnap, 12, Blake Belnap’s son, said, “I like running with all my friends.”

The Independence Day festivities moved to Cedar City’s Historic Downtown Main Street with the annual Fourth of July parade, featuring local business, organizations, schools and law enforcement.

The parade is also a family tradition as Mark and Valerie Talbot and their kids line up on Main Street year after year for the annual parade. Coming out to the parade is a tradition and a way to show patriotism, Mark Talbot said.

The street was lined with kids, grocery bags in hand full of candy as if it was Halloween. Although the Talbots enjoyed parade floats and good company, they had the same intent as the kids came for the candy.

Kids were not the only ones enjoying the show as Jeff and Ester Roberts walked to Main Street to see what the parade had to offer.

“We haven’t gone to a parade for a while,” Jeff Roberts, said, “we thought we’d enjoy it and it was good.”

Although the parade was enjoyed, it did seem to lack the typical marching bands featured in such parades, Jeff Roberts said.

After the parade, Main Street Park featured carnival type games, a dunk tank, inflatables and a rock climbing wall. Justin Anderson and his family made the trip from St. George to spend time at the park with relatives.

Kolton Anderson, 4, climbing the rock wall at Main Street Park , Cedar City, Utah, July 4, 2014 | Photo taken by Kevin Robison, Cedar City News
Kolton Anderson, 4, climbing the rock wall at Main Street Park , Cedar City, Utah, July 4, 2014 | Photo taken by Kevin Robison, Cedar City News

“Family and friends are here,” Anderson said, “we figured we would come and join them and hang out.”

Justin Anderson’s son, Kolton Anderson, 4, enjoyed the rock climbing wall as he showed that anybody can conquer the task.

Cedar City activities concluded with a much anticipated firework show near the Cedar City Airport.

Cedar and Enoch Cities were not the only parts of Iron County celebrating the day, as Brian Head Resort and Brian Head Outdoor Adventure Company presented the Chill on the Hill celebration.

Although the 9, 600 foot town saw cold weather and some rain in the afternoon, the show still went on.

The day featured live music, scenic lift rides, disc golf, mountain biking, zip line, inflatables, a rock climbing wall, wagon rides and the BagJump, ending out the day with a firework show. Chill on the Hill festivities will continue Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Navajo Lodge Adventure Center.

St. George News Reporter Kimberly Scott contributed to this report.

Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kevin Robison made his way to Southern Utah to run cross country and track at Southern Utah University. After graduating he stayed in Southern Utah and worked in advertising and public relations. While working in public relations he gained an interest and respect for the journalism field. He is currently working towards a Master of Arts in Professional Communication at Southern Utah University. In his free time he enjoys running, hiking and skiing.

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5 Comments

  • whtlinefvr July 5, 2014 at 8:13 am

    Any news on the massive Explosion and fireball at the airport just prior to the show?

    • Avatar photo Joyce Kuzmanic July 5, 2014 at 10:40 am

      The Fire Chief said that there were no explosions last night that weren’t planned, whtlinefvr – all part of the show. 🙂
      CEDAR CITY NEWS | cedarcityutah.com
      Joyce Kuzmanic
      Editor in Chief

  • Panda July 7, 2014 at 9:22 am

    There is no way that is true we were there. There was a massive Explosion about 10 to 15 minutes before the firework show started. They are just trying to sweep it under the rug.

    • Avatar photo Bryan Hyde July 7, 2014 at 12:44 pm

      I spoke to members of the Cedar City Fire Department and they told me that the massive fireball was a planned burn of surplus model rocket fuel that had to be destroyed. They did this last year as well. At any rate, it was very impressive.

  • Panda July 8, 2014 at 10:14 am

    If that is the case it was done in such a way that it was not effective as part of the show. It was done 10 to 15 minutes prior to any of the other fireworks being set off and also prior to the time the show was scheduled to start. If it was meant to be part of the show it should have been more seamless. One family where we were sitting left thinking that the explosion meant there wouldn’t a show. My son and niece were in tears thinking something was wrong and there wasn’t going to be a show. Most of the people parked near us were speculating as to whether or not someone had been killed or injured in the explosion. If they want it to be part of the show make it part of the show, not an unexpected fireball way before the show starts.

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