An honor guard leads the way at the July 4 Independence Day celebration in Blanding. Enter your photos in our Photo of the Week contest. We pay $10 for each photo that runs in the San Juan Record. Email entries to news@sjrnews.com . See more entries at www.sjrnews.com or on Facebook. Mindi Redd photo An honor guard leads the way at the July 4 Independence Day celebration in Blanding. Enter your photos in our Photo of the Week contest. We pay $10 for each photo that runs in the San Juan Record. Email entries to news@sjrnews.com . See more entries at www.sjrnews.com or on Facebook. Mindi Redd photo
Gerasimos Kavvadas (left) of Blanding paced the field to win the 2026 Blanding Fourth of July Firecracker 5K with a run of 17:29 on Saturday, July 4. Jeraden Hurst (second from left) was second overall among the males, crossing the line in 17:36. Ada Lyman (middle) was third in the female division with a 22:25. Charlotte Kowallis (second from right) took second among the females in 21:01, and San Juan High School standout Sincere Nez (right) won the female division with a run of 20:02. Courtesy photo Gerasimos Kavvadas (left) of Blanding paced the field to win the 2026 Blanding Fourth of July Firecracker 5K with a run of 17:29 on Saturday, July 4. Jeraden Hurst (second from left) was second overall among the males, crossing the line in 17:36. Ada Lyman (middle) was third in the female division with a 22:25. Charlotte Kowallis (second from right) took second among the females in 21:01, and San Juan High School standout Sincere Nez (right) won the female division with a run of 20:02. Courtesy photo
The second annual Blanding Fourth of July American Ace Cornhole Tournament drew 21 teams for a double-elimination competition. Randall Black and Travis Black battled back after losing in the first round, fighting their way through the consolation bracket before defeating the championship bracket winners twice in the finals to claim the tournament title. Pictured left to right: Randall Black and Travis Black. Courtesy photo The second annual Blanding Fourth of July American Ace Cornhole Tournament drew 21 teams for a double-elimination competition. Randall Black and Travis Black battled back after losing in the first round, fighting their way through the consolation bracket before defeating the championship bracket winners twice in the finals to claim the tournament title. Pictured left to right: Randall Black and Travis Black. Courtesy photo
The annual Shane Warenski Memorial Midnight Madness Softball Tournament has been a staple of the Blanding Fourth of July Celebration for many years, serving as an excellent fundraiser for the San Juan High School baseball team. Eighteen teams vied for the 2026 championship this past Friday and Saturday, July 3-4. Though 18 teams is slightly less than the normal entries, tournament director Jens Nielson reports that it was still a very fun tournament with a lot of good teams. Big Hitters suffered an early loss but clawed their way back with solid defensive play and a lot of good hitting to beat Lyle Northern Electric twice to secure the championship. Members of the championship team include: (top row, left to right) Stoakli Tate, Peyton Black, Justis Savage, Bridger Black, Stetler Shumway, Tytan Tate. Bottom: Brittany Ivins, Morgan McPherson, Megan Black, Cortney Shumway, and Imari Nielson. Courtesy photo Members of the championship team include: (top row, left to right) Stoakli Tate, Peyton Black, Justis Savage, Bridger Black, Stetler Shumway, Tytan Tate. Bottom: Brittany Ivins, Morgan McPherson, Megan Black, Cortney Shumway, and Imari Nielson. Courtesy photo
Team Terbium won the younger division of the annual Jason Workman Memorial Mini Madness Softball Tournament during the Blanding Fourth of July Celebrations on Friday, July 3. Members of the championship team include: (left to right) Archer Johnson, Austri Shumway, Roman Shumway, Aiker Palmer, Briggz Singer, Tucker Nielson, Korbin Jones, Abbi Crofts, Remi Bradford, U’niq Dandy, Lucy Harris, and Andi Crofts. Courtesy photo Team Terbium won the younger division of the annual Jason Workman Memorial Mini Madness Softball Tournament during the Blanding Fourth of July Celebrations on Friday, July 3. Members of the championship team include: (left to right) Archer Johnson, Austri Shumway, Roman Shumway, Aiker Palmer, Briggz Singer, Tucker Nielson, Korbin Jones, Abbi Crofts, Remi Bradford, U’niq Dandy, Lucy Harris, and Andi Crofts. Courtesy photo
After almost five hours of play Tyler and Jeannie Hawks successfully defended their title, winning the tournament for the second consecutive year. Spencer Jensen and Andrea Nielson earned second place, while Andy and Annette Adams finished third. The tournament welcomed several new competitors while also bringing back many familiar faces. Both the pickleball and cornhole tournaments served as fundraisers for the San Juan High School track and field team. Tournament organizers extend their sincere appreciation to Utah Navajo Health System for their generous sponsorship, David Palmer from City Rec, Blanding City for painting pickleball lines on the tennis courts, and to all of the participants who helped make the day a success. Pictured left to right: Spencer Jensen, Andrea Nielson, Jeannie Hawks, Tyler Hawks, Andy Adams, and Annette Adams. Courtesy photo Pictured left to right: Spencer Jensen, Andrea Nielson, Jeannie Hawks, Tyler Hawks, Andy Adams, and Annette Adams. Courtesy photo
Team Vanadium took the older division championship in the Jason Workman Memorial Mini Madness Softball Tournament on Friday, July 3. Members of the title-winning squad include: (top row, left to right) Olive Harris, Shaddlee Christensen, Jay Crofts, Thunder Slavens, Cal Crofts. Bottom: Olivia Nielson, Bryir Palmer, Bodie Palmer, Stetson Johnson, Ryan Wilcox, and Emrie Black. Courtesy photo Team Vanadium took the older division championship in the Jason Workman Memorial Mini Madness Softball Tournament on Friday, July 3. Members of the title-winning squad include: (top row, left to right) Olive Harris, Shaddlee Christensen, Jay Crofts, Thunder Slavens, Cal Crofts. Bottom: Olivia Nielson, Bryir Palmer, Bodie Palmer, Stetson Johnson, Ryan Wilcox, and Emrie Black. Courtesy photo
Team Grill’n went undefeated to win the Blanding Fourth of July 6-on-6 Coed Volleyball Tournament for the second straight year. The tourney, played on Thursday, July 2, featured 13 teams and served as a fundraiser for the San Juan High School volleyball team. Members of the championship team include: (left to right) Nate Einerson, Swayzi Jack, Jaci Su’esu’e, Ta’ssi Su’esu’e, Imari Nielson, and Josh Yardley. Courtesy photo Team Grill’n went undefeated to win the Blanding Fourth of July 6-on-6 Coed Volleyball Tournament for the second straight year. The tourney, played on Thursday, July 2, featured 13 teams and served as a fundraiser for the San Juan High School volleyball team. Members of the championship team include: (left to right) Nate Einerson, Swayzi Jack, Jaci Su’esu’e, Ta’ssi Su’esu’e, Imari Nielson, and Josh Yardley. Courtesy photo