The usually� tranquil� streets of Patagonia� exploded� in celebration on Independence Day as� folks from across Eastern Santa Cruz County� whooped it up� with a parade a mile long, ubiquitous barbecues and a fireworks display that� had� dogs� dodging under beds.� 

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Well before 11 a.m. crowds began to line the curbs waving flags in anticipation as the parade began to appear over the horizon and police sirens rang out. Horse carriages, armored vehicles, fire engines, vintage cars, goats, politicos were all greeted by onlookers as they headed down Naugle Avenue and circled up McKeown Avenue past the Stage Stop Inn. Local lawmen along with Arizona Rangers kept things going smoothly.� 

“More, more!” yelled out people watching the parade as they were doused with water. � 

As the parade ended families began to move into the park where a necktie social was being held by the Tombstone Vigilantes. As a rope dangled ominously from the gazebo, Grand Marshal Harold Swyres and Citizen of the Year Tod Bowden watched anxiously as attendees at the hanging successfully saved their necks from being stretched.� 

Attention eventually turned to more important matters such as the enticing smells wafting from a number of vendors who had fired up their grills. The senior citizens at the community center had also shifted gears from that morning’s biscuit-and-gravy breakfast to hot dogs, chili dogs and root beer floats. Over near the train depot, volunteers from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 10432 and American Legion Post No. 111 served up their ever-popular barbecue dinner - beef wrapped in burlap that’s wetted and cooked in the ground as well as stainless steel pots filled with pinto beans. VFW member Bill Piper said the event has been a tradition since 1976.� 

Over at the bandstand folks kicked up their heels to the sounds of Tecno-Banda La Rezzia, Juan Manuel y Sus Teclados, Heidi Wilson and Mary Redhouse, as well as the Hog Canyon Band.� 

Fourth of July organizer Lars Marshall said Pete and Kazz Workizer did a splendid job of keeping youngsters and parents busy in the park with games and activities. Water balloon volleyball and sack races were among the events. “It was just wonderful,” said Marshall.

While many cities and towns across the country canceled their firework displays due to lack of funds, thanks to donations from members of the communities of Elgin, Sonoita and Patagonia, organizers managed to bring off a memorable event that lit the skies over town for 38 minutes, according to the Patagonia Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department, which supervised the colorful pyrotechnics.� 

Fire Capt. Ike Isakson said that there were no major emergencies over the weekend and while there seemed to be larger crowds this year, folks behaved.