Event of the Month

EVENT OF THE MONTH Old-fashioned Fun Best Describes Clarkdale's Fourth of July Festivities

Town councilman Scott Rhorer seemed destined for a dunking. Vice-mayor Janice Benatz cheerfully paid $5 for the chance to plunge him into the tank of water from his high perch. She sauntered up to the line, tossed the ball, but missed the red target that would trigger a drenched Mr. Rhorer. The crowd groaned.

The councilman, still high and dry, smiled and smugly folded his arms across his chest. Then his son stepped up to the line, softball in hand. There was the windup, the pitch, and kaploosh. Dad took a dip. The crowd cheered.

Both young Mr. Rhorer and Ms. Benatz were among many who took the opportunity to douse a few town notables in the dunk tank. The event started off the morning as part of Clarkdale's Old-Fashioned Fourth of July celebration.

The grassy town park was surrounded by American flags, snapping in the breeze. Baby strollers, lawn chairs, and pancake syrup were much in evidence. Eva Pecharich walked across the street from her house, looking for the cake table. She came bearing a sumptuous cherry cake for the ice-cream social. After she dropped off her cake, she headed back to get her great-granddaughter ready for the Kiddie Parade. Her husband, Matt, done taking tickets for the chamber of commerce pancake breakfast, declared the day "just perfect. Last year was hot."

With the sun growing warmer, members of the fire department stoked charcoal grills for lunch. The air was fragrant with the promise of barbecued chicken. Nearby, a stand offering cold lemonade was doing a brisk business as folks rolled in from the mountain-bike race. Under the gazebo, festooned with redwhite-and-blue bunting, the band tuned up for a performance of patriotic march tunes.

Around 10 o'clock, people started drifting over to claim shady curbside seats for the parade along Main Street. In 1970 Lois Bill helped start the parade with the Girl Scouts. "It's always been a kids' parade," she said. "It's a wonderful tradition." This day, she and her husband, Dr. Charles Bill, shared the honor as grand marshals. The VFW color guard led the way: "They walk so proud... aren't they beautiful," praised a woman as they passed. Following them were the children, many in costumes and on all manner of decorated bicycles, wagons, and horses, waving to their appreciative audience. When the parade was over, the kids knew where to go: the fire truck turned on its hoses, and they shrieked and cartwheeled through the cool spray.

My favorite time of the day had arrived the ice-cream social. I wasn't about to miss a taste of Eva's cherry cake. As I waited to be served, the band played its first song, "The Star Spangled Banner." As the strains of music swelled, the crowd became silent. People stopped what they were doing, took off their hats, and held their hands over their hearts. No doubt some throats caught, as mine did. It is old-fashioned, I know. But somehow I couldn't help it. Then, with a piece of cake and a bowl of vanilla ice cream, I settled happily on the lawn to enjoy the rest of the morning. I'd have to wait until evening for my second favorite part - the fireworks.

WHEN YOU GO

Clarkdale is 110 miles north of Phoenix. At Cottonwood, take State Route 89A north, following signs for Jerome and Tuzigoot National Monument. Continue through Cottonwood (on what is signed Main Street) for another four miles straight into Clarkdale. The town park is on Main Street between 10th and 11th streets. All the fun takes place on July 4. The chamber of commerce serves a pancake breakfast beginning at 7 A.M. The Kiddie Parade begins at 10:30 A.M., followed by the ice-cream social. The fireworks show starts after dark at Peck's Lake. For more information, contact the Clarkdale Town Hall, P.O. Box 308, Clarkdale, AZ 86324; (520) 634-9591.