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West Jordan Gears Up For Fourth Of July Fun

Jun 19, 2015 06:40PM ● By Taylor Stevens

Photo by Michael Bateman

West Jordan - Tickets are now on sale for West Jordan City’s biggest event of the year, the 61st annual Western Stampede PRCA Rodeo. 

The rodeo will begin at 7 p.m. July 2-4 at the West Jordan Arena, which is located at 8035 South 2200 West. Each night of the rodeo is themed: July 2 is Family Night, July 3 is Pink Night—to raise awareness for women’s cancers—and July 4 is Military Appreciation Night. 

“I’m real excited to see what this year brings,” said West Jordan mayor Kim Rolfe. “I’ve always been a big fan of the rodeo and horses, so I’m real excited to see the action again this year. I’ve been attending for a long time, and it seems to keep getting better each year.” 

In addition to the rodeo, the city’s Independence Day events will include a motorcross show and the horse-riding group the EhCapa Bareback Riders.

On the Fourth of July, the parade will begin at 10 a.m. and run north on Redwood Road from City Hall to 7000 South. The city is hosting a Movie in the Park event at 9 p.m. that evening, the only free movie in the park this year. 

The city’s fireworks show, which will serve as a finale to the Western Stampede, will begin at 10 p.m.

In light of the city’s firework prohibitions, Fire Chief Marc McElreath urged residents “to attend the city’s professional fireworks show in Veterans Memorial Park.” 
 In some areas of the city, it is a Class B misdemeanor to light fireworks, meaning that a violation could cost up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. The police department said in a news release that they would be working with the police department to ensure enforcement of the prohibition.

Utah’s unusual weather contributed to the city’s crackdown on firework safety. The state’s wet spring led to an extreme growth of vegetation that has dried in light of rapidly increasing temperatures, “creating a large fuel load and potentially significant fire danger,” McElreath said in the statement. 

In addition to the area restrictions, Utah’s state code also prohibits fireworks during most of the month. Personal fireworks may be employed July 1-7 and July 21-27. 

“These restrictions are in place to help keep people and property safe,” McElreath continued. 

According to the city’s press release, restricted areas include: 

1. All areas west of U-111 (Bacchus Highway) within West Jordan City limits.

2. All areas within 200 feet of the Jordan River Parkway Trail east of 1300 West.

3. All areas within 200 feet of the area commonly referred to as Clay Hollow Wash that run east and west in the area of 7800 South (approximately 4800 West to U-111).

4. All areas within 200 feet of Bingham Creek, located near Old Bingham Highway, running the length of the east/west boundaries within West Jordan.

5. All city parks, unless a permit has been obtained for a professional display.