The July Fourth parade is a quintessential part of the rhythms of community life in Porter. Following the parade, there is the Turtle Derby that’s part of an all-day festival at Hawthorne Park capped with a fireworks display at dusk.

This year included great July 4th weather and lots of political signs in addition to the boom boxes and red, white and blue patriotic symbols seen everywhere for Independence Day

Thousands lined the streets of Provo on Thursday to celebrate the nation’s independence and enjoy bands, balloons, floats, flags and more as part of the Grand Parade for America’s Freedom Festival — billed as the “largest of its kind in the western United States” and one of Utah’s biggest annual parades.