Flagstaff Celebrates July 4th with Unique Events

In Flagstaff, Arizona, the July 4th festivities are kicking off. There are fireworks planned in Winslow and Williams on Friday, alongside one of Prescott’s biggest parades on Saturday.

However, due to fire restrictions, Flagstaff won’t have fireworks this year. Instead, the city is hosting its inaugural drone show.

This date holds special significance for Flagstaff, marking the city’s founding. Even before dawn on July 4th, downtown was already bustling with life.

Ryan Randazzo from Discover Flagstaff emphasized how important holidays are for the community, especially since they celebrate the town’s establishment.

“In 1876, a group of travelers from Boston stripped branches from a ponderosa pine and raised a flag on July 4th to commemorate our nation’s 100th birthday,” Randazzo explained. “That’s how Flagstaff got its name, and it’s remained ever since.”

Nearly 150 years later, the town commemorates this milestone with several events, including the parade.

Eric Anderson and his son Ezra made the long journey from Abu Dhabi to celebrate with family. “We’re really trying to make family visits a priority,” Eric shared. “It’s just amazing to reconnect with my cousin, my aunt, and my mother. It feels so good.”

Due to stage 2 fire restrictions in Flagstaff and the Coconino National Forest, traditional fireworks are off the table. But according to Randazzo, the city is enhancing its celebrations with the new drone show.

“The 350 drones will create stunning patriotic images and representations unique to Flagstaff,” he noted.

For details on the drone show and other activities throughout the holiday weekend, check out Discover Flagstaff.