Fourth of July in Tusayan boasts drone show, live band and more

TUSAYAN, Ariz. — The town of Tusayan and South Rim Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce are gearing up for a Fourth of July celebration that will paint the sky with a drone show and music by America’s Got Talent winner soul singer Michael Grimm, plus local bands, The Boulder Alley Boys and Exit 64.

“It’s about being together. Bringing friends and families together again and being able to communicate and be part of the community,” said Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce President, Romy Murphy.

Along with a kid’s corner, the event will feature a silent auction, raffle, prizes and fresh cooked food and drinks, including beer. The annual parade will kick off the event July 4 at 3:30 p.m.; live music begins at 4:30 p.m. the drone show will begin after sunset. The epicenter for the events will be in front of the Tusayan Fire Station between Red Feather Lodge and the Imax Theater in Tusayan.

The kid’s corner will include a bike decoration contest and games and will take place at 2:30 p.m., behind The Grand Hotel.

“We are so excited that the Fourth of July parade and events will be happening this year,” said Tusayan Mayor Clarinda Vail.

The town of Tusayan has hired a company to put on the night drone show, with a theme of “United We Stand, Our Grand Community.”

“It should be an extra special Fourth of July,” Vail said.

Vice-Mayor Brady Harris agreed.

“It’s nice to get back to normal,” he said. “After such a rough year and all the elements of the pandemic and all the hoops we had to jump through, it’s nice to get back to ordinary life again. Our drone show will be the first in northern Arizona, possibly the state.”

Based out of Denver, Hireuavpro provides state of the art drone light services across the United States and 30 countries. CEO Graham Hill said the company is excited to be at the Grand Canyon for the event.

“This is our first drone show in northern Arizona and I can’t think of a better place to spend the Fourth of July… to be at one of the great monuments in our country on a national holiday will be so amazing,” he said.

Stating that drones do not pose any fire danger, Hill said they are an ideal replacement for fireworks.

“All our designs are custom made and choreographed per the client’s specs,” he said. “Where fireworks are loud, we are more of a performance, a dance in the sky. That’s how we approach these shows.”

Hill is a University of Arizona Alumni and said he understands fire danger risks in Northern Arizona. He said he is happy he can provide an alternative that protects the forest.

Chamber of Commerce Board Member Stoney Ward said the town is going to be extra busy and every business in town is participating in Fourth of July events.

“This is all about getting our town to unite again,” he said. “It’s been so long having been closed off from each other and having to keep distance in the last year. It will be so nice to get together and be friends again and not have to shout hello from a distance.”

Fore more information or to participate in the Fourth of July Parade contact the Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce at www.grandcanyonCVB.org/July4th.