Riverdale’s Old Glory Days
Planned Celebrations for Independence Day 2023
Published June 27, 2023 | By Lynn Blamires, feature writer for My Local Utah
Old Glory Days in Riverdale, Utah is packed with three days of celebration. This much-anticipated tradition has been going on for years. Festivities will begin on Saturday and culminate with fireworks in the evening on the Fourth of July.
July 1 – Saturday
A Co-ed Volleyball Tournament will begin at 8:00 a.m. and go until 3:00 p.m. Eight teams consisting of three men and three women each, will play in a single elimination competition.
A baby contest will be held starting at 4:00 p.m. in the Community Center. This contest is restricted to Riverdale residents. Babies from 0 to 24 months will be judged on things like cutest smile, biggest legs, and most hair. Winners will be featured in the Independence Day Parade. It is important to note that none of these babies will have any say in the decision to enter this contest, but some mighty proud parents will do their best to make them look good.
A Movie in the Park starts at 8:00 p.m. at Riverdale Park. The featured movie is Moana and guests will be treated to free Hokulia.
Hokulia is a Polynesian treat consisting of flavored ice shaved to soft snow and mixed with ice cream, sweetened condensed milk, li hing mui powder, and coconut flakes. I had one of these treats when I was in Kauai, and they are delicious.
Hokulia is translated to mean “Star of Gladness.” Hokule’a was the name given to the voyaging canoe which made its first journey to Tahiti navigating solely by the stars in 1976.
The Hokule’a is the first traditional Polynesian double canoe built in over 600 years. The voyaging canoe was built as part of an effort to revive Polynesian culture and exploration. The canoe is like those that originally brought voyagers to Hawaii. Hokulea gets her name from the zenith star Arcturus, which passes directly over the Hawaiian Islands. There is a connection between the treat and the canoe, and it is very interesting.
July 3 – Monday
Monday is all about pickleball. You must be at least 55 years old to participate in the Senior Division Tournament. Those games are from 8 to noon at the Community Center. The Adult Division pickleball Tournament requires a minimum age of 16 and those games begin at 5 p.m., also at the Community Center
July 4 – Tuesday
A Sunrise Service kicks off Independence Day activities at Riverdale Park. The service will be at 7 a.m. with Representative Katy Hull as the guest speaker.
A Stars and Stripes 5K Run starts at the same time from the Community Center.
A Kids K starts at 8 a.m. opposite Riverdale Park from the Community Center. Kids 7 years of age and under will run a half-mile course and children 8 – 12 will have a mile to run.
The Lions Club Breakfast starts at 7:30 a.m. at the North Pavilion. The cost is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children. You can’t handle the rest of this busy day without a hearty breakfast.
The Pedals and Paws Parade starts at 9 a.m. from 4250 S 700 W. I had to call the city to find out what this activity entailed. Children are encouraged to ride their bikes along the same route the main parade will take. People of all ages are welcome to take their pets or have their pets take them along this same route.
The Old Glory Days Parade starts at 9:30 a.m. and begins at the same point. This is a grand parade that has been a tradition for many years.
Vendor Booths open at 10 a.m. and remain open until 3 p.m. I think these vendors add so much color to an event like this. Food booths offer some fun foods to try. It is also a place to find all kinds of treasures you didn’t know you needed.
Inflatables open at 10:30 a.m. and close at 3. These are huge and it won’t take all day to wear out as you jump, slide, and bounce. When you are worn out, don’t think you can find a place to rest inside because when you are not bouncing, someone else will be bouncing you.
Live Entertainment. Wrapped around Old Glory Days live music will be provided by Greg Simpson from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and by Maddie Wilson from noon to 1:30 p.m. This is a time to relax to the sounds of some outstanding talent.
Fireworks. No Independence Day celebration would be complete without fireworks. This year’s display will be presented by Dragon Dynamites and with a name like that – you won’t want to miss this display.
Riverdale has a lot to offer in their Independence Day plans and they do a lot to involve their citizens in these days of celebration. Go to RiverdaleCity.com for more information.