Morgan Valley gears up to celebrate the Fourth of July

Planes, trains, and automobiles, all part of the July 4 celebration in Morgan.

Independence Day celebrations have been a tradition in the Morgan Valley for decades. With parades, flyover, vendors and music in the park topping it all off with fireworks; there may be no better place to spend a small-town Fourth than in Morgan.

Morgan’s Fourth kicks off at Riverside Park, with a 5K sponsored by Morgan High School’s Cross-Country team. Registration begins at 6 a.m. with the race starting at 7 a.m. After working up an appetite, join the MHS Volleyball for breakfast from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. At 8 a.m. the VFW of Morgan will hold their Veteran’s Flag ceremony at the same park. Nine o’clock is the anticipated time for the traditional flyover.

The parade will begin at 10 a.m. from the back parking lot of the high school. It will proceed on Trojan Boulevard turning onto Commercial Street and heading for the fairgrounds. It’s not too late to get your organization, school club, or business signed up for the parade.

In years past parade goers and participants head to the fairgrounds; however, this year, you’ll want to stay on Commercial Street where not only will they be cutting the ribbon in the newly remodeled train depot, but the Big Boy steam train engine will be making a whistle stop at the depot from 11:15-11:45. Keep in mind the Commercial Street will be closed Thursday from the Hotel to the train depot from 9:30-12 except for foot traffic.

At the fairgrounds, there will be vendors, free kid games, bounce houses, food trucks and live music featuring Two Weeks Notice. Also, don’t forget to check out the boats for the Cardboard Regatta. While there, vote for your favorite, then make sure to head over to the river by the pickleball courts to watch the fourth annual Cardboard Regatta.

Teens and adults can still sign up and get their cardboard boats ready. Last year, Jason Johnson, from the Chamber encouraged more teens to sign up for the Regatta. This brought more entries to the river. Boats will start launching at 2:30 with some sinking until 4:00. This has easily become one of the fastest-growing traditions for the Morgan Fourth celebrations. The more boats, the more fun there is to be had. Johnson also encourages those who have built boats to show them off in the parade. Two Weeks Notice will once again perform at the fairgrounds from 4- 6 p.m.

After cooling off for a bit, the fun continues at the high school where Alex Elggren and Steven Bosco will be performing. So bring your lawn chairs, grab some food from the food trucks and enjoy the entertainment and visiting with friends and family.

As the sky darkens, the finale of the day that celebrates our freedom will light up the night sky. Most would agree that the fireworks display has become bigger and better over the past few years.  

If you would like to participate in the Morgan Fourth celebrations in the parade, as a vendor, in the Cardboard Regatta, go to https://business.morganutahchamber.org/eventcalendar/Details/morgan-s-spectacular-4th-of-july-celebr...

The Morgan County News wishes you a safe and happy Fourth of July!