Clarkdale staff plan expanded Fourth of July parade, a July 4 concert and renewed community outreach

Manager Smart presented plans to expand Clarkdale—s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July for the nation—s 250th anniversary and asked the Parks and Recreation Commission for ideas and volunteer support.

"It—s going to be a big year," Manager Smart said, noting staff had secured a $5,000 sponsorship — double the usual amount — and proposing a community parade open to floats, adults and vehicles as well as a 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. concert on July 4 to give residents an option besides traveling to Cottonwood.

The manager said the sponsorship would likely cover roughly $1,000 for a band and help underwrite school games, and that the town hopes to expand the ice-cream social and recruit volunteers or a community partner to manage registration and floats.

Commissioners and the youth adviser discussed logistics. Manager Smart said organizers expect to require pre-registration for non-foot parade entries and prefer not to charge a fee but are considering donations or targeted fees for certain participant types. On safety and scheduling, staff said the parade would likely put children first, vehicles behind, and include volunteer marshals and a fire truck or similar marker between children and vehicles.

Director Westcott and public-safety staff have been involved in planning, the manager said, and the commission was told staff are working with the school—s art department and community partners in the Verde Valley on outreach. The manager also noted uncertainty about visibility of Cottonwood—s fireworks from the park and said staff would check whether residents could see them from higher elevations in Clarkdale.

The commission did not take a formal vote on the event plan at the meeting; staff said they are meeting weekly and will bring updates to future meetings, and they encouraged commissioners and residents to share contacts for outreach and volunteer recruitment.