Celebrate the Fourth of July at the gala celebration in Blanding

We will be able to remember the past and look to the future as Blanding celebrates American Independence on the Fourth of July with the theme Freedom Lives Forever.
A wide range of events are planned to celebrate the day.
Forty years ago, on July 4, 1973, hundreds of Blanding residents gathered for an iconic “City Photo” on the corner of Main Street and 100 South. The photo has been the focus of much attention in the subsequent years.
Exactly forty years later, on July 4 at 10 a.m., photographer Ken Hochfeld will take an updated photo at the same location. Everyone is invited to be a part of the community photo.
The July 4 parade is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m., but may be delayed a little by the photography.
The parade features a wide variety of floats and entrants. One of the highlights will certainly be the large number of motorcycles that will honor Jason Workman, a Blanding native who was killed in Afghanistan in 2011 as a member of Navy Seal Team Six.
The Dinosaur Museum in Blanding will mark its biggest event since its grand opening on July 4, 1995 as two new exhibit halls will be opened.
“FEATHERED DINOSAURS” features six life-size ten foot long Deinonychus raptors, and a giant feathered Therizinosaurus, which stands 14 feet tall with a 20 foot wingspan and shows the most current of new scientific discoveries.
“DINOSAURS IN THE MOVIES” features colorful original posters and memorabilia with examples from the entire history of movie dinosaurs. From the early “Ghost of Slumber Mountain” to recent films like “Jurassic Park” many of the posters are large and oversized.  
Steve and Sylvia Czerkas, owners of the museum, bring their traveling “feathered dinosaurs” exhibit to its permanent home in Blanding. The feathered dinosaur exhibit has traveled to museums around the world.
The ribbon will be cut to the new exhibits after the July 4 parade. Mayor Toni Turk is scheduled to cut the ribbon.
The hall will be dedicated to M. Dale Slade, the museum’s Co-Founder.
The new exhibit hall was made possible by grants from the Federal USDA Rural Development, the Utah State Office of Economic Development, San Juan County Tourism and Economic Development, The City of Blanding, The Blanding City Legacy Fund, and individual donations.
Other events on Independence Day are listed on the spadea page of this issue of the San Juan Record. There are a variety of athletic events and competitions. Displays feature local arts and crafts and a number of groups sponsor fund raising events, including the popular food and craft booths at Centennial Park.
Dinner, a concert and a fireworks show close the evening on July 4.
A concert by Stan Bronson is Friday, July 5 at San Juan High School.