With the celebration of U.S. independence comes a host of cracking good parties and festivals throughout Uinta County and the surrounding areas. Fireworks, parades, rodeos, races, games, good food and much more will highlight the day or even several days. 

Evanston

Evanston will have several Independence Day activities for families, including the Evanston Regional Hospital Fun Run and Walk, the Evanston High School Red Devil boys basketball three-on-three tournament and the all-day Fresh Air, Freedom and Fun Festival. 

The Evanston Regional Hospital Fun Run and Walk will begin at 8 a.m. at the Bear Paw Trailhead (across from Hamblin Park). ERH will give away prizes. No preregistration is required. This is a race for time only; there are no age groups or awards. Race distances include the 5K fun run and the 2K individual and family walk. The race begins at the Bear Paw Trailhead (across from Hamblin Park) and goes to the south end of the Bear River State Park and back. 

The 21st annual three-on-three basketball tournament, hosted by Evanston High School Red Devil boys basketball, will begin at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4. Preregistration runs through Thursday, June 30, at the Evanston Rec Center. Same day registration runs from 10-10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4. Participation costs $60 per team, and the tournament will take place at Hamblin Park. Divisions are for male, female and coed (with a maximum of four per team) and are for fifth grade through adult. 

Evanston’s annual Fresh Air, Freedom and Fun Festival will take place all day on Tuesday, July 4, at Hamblin Park. 

The Evanston High School boys Red Devil basketball will sponsor a pancake breakfast at 8:30 a.m. for $7 per person (children 4 and under eat for free).

The children’s freedom rally parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. along the Bear River Greenway Trail, starting at the Bear Paw Trailhead. Kids are invited to meet at the Bear Paw Trailhead at 9:45 a.m. to decorate bikes and prepare for the parade. 

Carnival games and inflatables for all ages, along with a music DJ, entertainment, a food court, fundraising activities and bingo will run from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Hamblin Park. Carnival games and inflatables (including Extreme Rush, a barrel train, moon walk and midway games) will be $1 per activity or $10 for an unlimited activity pass. 

There will be a candy cannon at noon and 3 p.m. and sawdust piles at 1:30 p.m. 

N-U-ENDO Classic Rock/Blues from Salt Lake City will perform a concert at 3:30 p.m., with a watermelon bust during the concert at 4 p.m. 

The festival is an alcohol- and fireworks-free activity. For more information, call (307) 789-1770. 

The Evanston city fireworks display will begin at dusk. 

Fireworks may be discharged within the Evanston city limits from 9 a.m.-midnight on July 4. Areas designated for discharging fireworks include Centennial Park parking lot, the Overthrust ball fields parking lots, the Overthrust Park parking lot and Sulphur Creek Reservoir. No fireworks are permitted on any other city properties or parks or any school grounds. 

Woodruff, Utah

Woodruff, Utah, started its annual homecoming celebration on Thursday, and that celebration will continue through Tuesday, July 4. The four-day extravaganza (there are no events on Friday or Sunday) features rodeos and, of course, Independence Day activities. 

Saturday, Monday and Tuesday will feature rodeos as excitement builds through the weekend. Jackpot team roping took place on Thursday; penning (with three-man penning, three-man trailer loading and three-man doctoring) will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. 

The activities will start in earnest on Monday, with kids games at 5 p.m., the rodeo at 6 p.m. and a dance in the town park at 9 p.m. (there will be prizes). 

On Tuesday, there will be a parade at 10 a.m., a program at 11 a.m., a dinner at 11:30 a.m. (dinner costs $7, “Saddle Strings” will perform in the town park and there will also be a watermelon eating contest), kids’ games will be at 1 p.m. and a rodeo will start at 2 p.m. 

Rodeo admission costs $5; kids 5 and under get in free. Reserved rodeo parking costs $10 for one day or $15 for two days. 

For more information about the activities, call (435) 793-4201 or visit the Woodruff Homecoming Celebration Facebook page. 

Fort Bridger

Fort Bridger’s 8th annual Kids Xtreme Day celebration of Independence Day will take place on Tuesday, July 4, at 37001 I-80 Business Loop in Fort Bridger. 

Festivities will begin with the American Legion parade at 11 a.m., followed by a barbecue and then Field Day, during which children aged 6-18 can participate in historical fun and games like gunny sack races, haystack hunts for money and tug-o’-war. There will also be eclipse activities with $500 in coin prizes sponsored by 1st Bank, with an eclipse obstacle course, investigation and scavenger hunt. At 3 p.m., there will be a duck race.

Prizes and refreshments will top off the day. For more information, call (307) 782-3842. All events are free to the public.