July 2019 – One of the great things about traveling in the summertime is being able to enjoy the 4th of July celebrations in a special place. This year we were near the small town of Kanab, Utah, and we eagerly went into town to see the parade.
Uncle Sam greeted us as we came into town!
We were staying over the border in Arizona, and we’d forgotten that in the summer months Arizona and Utah are in different time zones. Utah is always in Mountain Standard Time while Arizona floats between Mountain and Pacific Standard Time depending on the time of year because they don’t change their clocks for daylight savings.
We’d planned to arrive about a half an hour before the parade started, and as Mark parked the truck he glanced at the clock on the dashboard and was about to say, “Perfect timing, it’s 9:30,” when he noticed our truck’s clock said 10:30.
Oh no!
We missed the start of the parade, but what we saw was wonderful.
Luckily, the parade was still going on and we saw some fun things roll by. A bright red fire engine went past and then there were a bunch of RZRs all dolled up in red, white and blue. There were some other interesting contraptions too.
A RZR brigade in red, white and blue (hey, what are they passing to each other?!)
More RZRs!
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A few antique cars beeped as they passed by the historic Parry Lodge where all the Hollywood stars of the Golden Age stayed when they made hundreds of movies in the beautiful red rocks around town.
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Smokey Bear made an appearance in the back of a US Forest Service truck. And then one of the Hot Shots standing on a Forest Service fire truck gave us all a big spray.
Kanab is an hour’s drive from any town big enough for a city-sized supermarket, but the grocery store in town, Honey’s Market, keeps everyone’s pantry full. A lady clown from Honey’s Market brought up the rear of the parade, slowly making her way down the street, chatting with friends and neighbors and giving out goodies to the kids.
Kanab was settled in 1864 when Fort Kanab was built, and in 1870 ten Mormon families moved into the fort to establish the town. A huge mural on the side of a building depicts the arrival of a wagon train at Fort Kanab.
The full mural of the wagon train arriving at Fort Kanab
There is lots of detail in this mural — the excited pioneers at the front calling out to the people at the fort, the weary travelers further back in the line, and the folks hanging out at the trading post as the wagons slowly come in.
“Kanab or Bust!” – The wagon train was greeted warmly when it arrived.
It was a long journey, and some walked much of the way…
Shooting the breeze at the trading post
Back in the glory days of Hollywood, Kanab played host to visiting celebrities making movies, but today it is a tourist town. It isituated conveniently between three of America’s major National Parks: Grand Canyon (North Rim), Zion and Bryce Canyon.
It is also close to Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Cedar Breaks, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
Kanab is conveniently located in between many gorgeous places.
Over in the town park the 4th of July festivities were in full swing when we walked up. The lush green grass and the vibrant red rock backdrop were beautiful, and the mood was decidedly festive and upbeat.
Kanab has a beautiful town park and the party was well underway when we got up there.
Red, white a blue stencils of all kinds had been spray painted on the grass, and lots of people were decked out in stars and stripes.
An old windmill honors Kanab’s ranching history.
Everyone was wearing red, white a blue, and some outfits were really cute!
Tents were set up with all kinds of beautiful arts and crafts for sale, and the food court was humming.
There were arts and crafts and food galore!
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The most fun — and coolest — spot to be was near (or in) the water fountain. The water jets sprayed on and off in all directions, and the kids had a blast.
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What a great way to cool off!
Buddy wasn’t sure what to make of the constantly moving streams of water, but he was grateful for a drink from Mark’s helping hand.
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It was a wonderful and hearwarming day and a great way to celebrate the 4th of July. If your travels take you near Kanab, Utah, on Independence Day some year, stop on by. This town puts on a wonderful celebration!
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More info about Kanab, Utah:
Other Fun Independence Day Celebrations:
- Creede, CO – Mining History & Championships + 4th of July!
- An Exuberant 4th of July in Othello, Washington!
- 4th of July in Cody, Wyoming – The Cody Stampede Parade!
- An Old Time Country 4th of July – Custer, South Dakota
Other blog posts from Southwestern Utah:
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- A Gateway to Utah’s Outback!
- A Utah Backcountry Adventure!
- Best Friends Animal Sanctuary & Southwest Wildlife Foundation in Utah
- Bryce Canyon – Hiking The Rim & Navajo Loop + A Tourist Time-lapse!
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- Bryce Canyon Gone Wild – Tempests, Rainbows & Wildlife
- Bryce Canyon in Winter – Snow and Lace on the Red Rock Spires!
- Bryce Canyon National Park – “Mossy Cave” – Mystery Waterfall!
- Bryce Canyon National Park – Fairyland Trail – A Beautiful Hike!
- Bryce Canyon National Park – Inspiration Point – OMG!
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- Capitol Reef NP – Cathedral Valley – A Stunning Backcountry Drive in Utah!
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What a great little town. We’ve never been there on July 4th but I look forward to one day! Thanks for the wonderful reminders of such a beautiful area. 🙂
We love Kanab and were delighted to be able to take part in their 4th of July festivities. The fireworks show is said to be spectacular — the red rocks are the backdrop! — but we were camped too far away this time for a late night return. Another year we’ll stay closer…!
Slight correction on time zones. Arizona remains on Mountain Standard time all year. Arizona does not observe Daylight Savings time, period. Utah does indeed observe changing times from Mountain Standard to Daylight Savings time each year. Just want to set that mix-up straight. Nice coverage of Kanab’s parade.
Technically true. However, if you want to know what time it is right now in Arizona (except in the Navajo Nation which observes daylight savings), the time on an Arizona clock at the current moment is the same as it is in California for half the year and is the same as it is in Colorado for half the year. So, it “feels like” the time zone switches between Pacific and Mountain time because most of the regions in the Pacific and Mountain time zones observe daylight savings while Arizona does not. So, when folks in the Pacific and Mountain Time set their clocks forward or back in spring and fall, Arizonans “effectively” see same time on their clocks as one time zone or the other depending on the season.
Small-town America….my country ’tis of thee !!!!!
Yes! Of thee I sing!!