Provo's Fourth of July Festivities 🇺🇸

Provo City will once again host the renowned Freedom Festival, packed with a remarkable lineup of events. I Invite each and every one of you to come and experience the patriotic spirit that fills our city during the Freedom Festival. It is a wonderful way to connect with your neighbors, friends, and family, and to appreciate the freedoms we enjoy in our beautiful nation.

Stadium of Fire

What goes together better than birds of a feather? This July 4th, it’s none other than Jonas Brothers and Stadium of Fire! Guests will not only enjoy incredible music and patriotism, but also the nation’s largest stadium fireworks spectacle, a thrilling flyover by F-35 jets from Utah’s Hill Air Force Base, the exciting arrival of the Rockwell Uncommon Skydive Team and rousing tributes to military and civilian heroes. As an added attraction, the 300-member Las Vegas-based Zion’s Youth Symphony & Chorus will make their first-ever Stadium of Fire appearance.

Ride UVX Don't miss the FREE UVX ride to the ultimate Fourth of July celebration at LaVell Edwards Stadium! Avoid the hassle of traffic and parking. Let the UVX take you to the Stadium of Fire for an electrifying evening of fireworks and entertainment! Bus Schedule: Return Time: Last UVX buses 12:29 a.m. (to Provo) and 12:35 a.m. (to Orem). Please note that the FrontRunner train will already be gone by that time. Learn more: https://www.rideuta.com/sof

Grand Parade

Start your Fourth of July morning with the largest parade of its kind in the Western United States. Join us at 9:00 AM for a vibrant celebration of God, freedom, family, and country, showcasing marching bands, professionally crafted floats, giant helium balloons, equestrian entries, and performances by local and national talent. We will be honoring our military and first responders with special parade entries.

Please remember that spectators may stake out their claim to a spot along University Avenue no earlier than July 3, at 3:00 PM per Provo City Ordinance. All other portions of the parade route can not be claimed or reserved until July 4, at 5:00 AM. This includes trying to “reserve or occupy, or attempt to claim, reserve or occupy, either in person or by the placement of ropes, tents, chairs, sleeping bags, blankets, or other devices or barriers, any public property as a position for observing [the] public parade” (SECTION 9.14.220).

All motor vehicles located on the parade route must be moved prior to 8:00 PM on July 3, 2023 or “shall be considered a public nuisance and may be towed from the public street”. Please note that in order to reserve a spot on the parade route at least one person must be present. Any items left unattended may be moved. Portable toilets will be located every other block along the parade route.

Balloon Fest

Experience the beauty and majesty of hot air balloons at our ever-popular Balloon Fest. Each morning on July 4th, 5th, and 6th, from 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM, you can witness around 25 of these enchanting giants take to the skies. Be sure to arrive at Fox Field by 6:00 AM to watch the balloons inflate!

Don't miss the "Balloon Glow" on Friday, July 5th from 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm. Here, you'll see top pilots from around the nation competing in the thrilling Hare and Hound competition and unique jousting events.

Freedom Days

Wednesday, July 3 through Friday, July 5, Downtown Provo will be buzzing with Freedom Days, a 3-day event filled with mouth-watering treats from our food vendors and unique items from local craftsmen. There will also be a wide selection of musical genres to enjoy live. The booths will be open at different times each day: July 3

Vendors: 4pm – 10pm

Carnival: 4pm – 11pm

July 4 Vendors: 10am – 10pm Carnival: 10am – 11pm

July 5 Vendors: 10am – 8pm Carnival: 10am – 11pm

For more information about these events, please visit freedomfestival.org.

American Airlines Announces Even More Flights Out of Provo!

I'm excited to share some fantastic news with you today. It's my pleasure to announce that American Airlines is increasing its operations at Provo Airport (PVU), starting this fall. This is a big win for our community, making travel more convenient for everyone.

Beginning October 7th, American Airlines will launch new services from Provo to their major hubs in Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). But that's not all – starting November 5th, they are adding a third daily flight to DFW! This means more options, more flexibility, and more opportunities for Provo travelers to connect to destinations around the globe.

The addition of these flights marks a significant milestone for Provo Airport. The power of three daily flights to DFW cannot be overstated. It opens up incredible opportunities for both business and leisure travelers in our community. Whether you're heading out for a business meeting, catching a college football game, escaping to the mountains, or hitting the slopes, American Airlines now makes it easier and more convenient than ever.

American Airlines’ new service between PVU and PHX will operate once daily, providing seamless connections to the Western U.S., Hawaii, and Mexico. This complements their enhanced service to DFW, offering a wide array of travel options. The efficient travel times and the convenience of Provo Airport make the travel experience smoother, freeing up your time to enjoy Provo's unique attractions or focus on business.

Our Provo business community, located right in the heart of Silicon Slopes, stands to benefit greatly from these expanded travel opportunities. Saving time on travel means more time for innovation and growth. The comfort and convenience provided by American Airlines' service align perfectly with the dynamic and fast-paced nature of our local businesses.

American Airlines is set to operate these flights using 65-seat Bombardier CRJ 700 regional jets, which include 9 business class seats, 12 Main Cabin Extra seats, and 44 economy class seats. This ensures a comfortable journey for all travelers. You can book your flights now at aa.com or through the American Airlines mobile app.

With Dallas Ft. Worth being American’s largest hub, offering over 925 peak daily departures to more than 230 destinations worldwide, and Phoenix Sky Harbor serving as another significant hub with over 260 peak daily departures to more than 100 destinations, the connectivity possibilities are vast.

Thank you, American Airlines, for investing in Provo and providing us with such valuable travel options. Here’s to more flights, more connections, and more adventures!

Provo #7 Best-Run City in the Nation

I am thrilled to announce that Provo City has been ranked the 7th best-run city in the nation by WalletHub! This recognition reflects the dedication and hard work of our local leaders, city employees, and residents who have contributed to making Provo a thriving, safe, and well-managed community.

Our city was evaluated on its operating efficiency, which measures how well city officials manage and spend public funds by comparing the quality of services residents receive against the city’s total budget. Out of 148 of the largest U.S. cities, Provo stood out in several key areas:

3rd Lowest Violent Crime Rate: Safety is a top priority for Provo, and our commitment to maintaining a secure environment for all residents has been recognized. This ranking reflects the hard work of our law enforcement officers and the strong community partnerships that help keep crime rates low.

6th Safest City: Beyond just low violent crime rates, Provo is recognized for its overall safety. This encompasses everything from emergency preparedness to traffic safety, ensuring that our residents feel secure in their daily lives.

6th Best Quality of City Services: From public safety and health services to education and infrastructure, our city services are among the best in the country. This ranking reflects our efficient use of resources to provide top-tier services to our community.

WalletHub’s methodology for determining the best-run cities involved comparing six key categories: Financial Stability, Education, Health, Safety, Economy, and Infrastructure & Pollution. These dimensions were evaluated using 36 relevant metrics, each graded on a 100-point scale. The result was a “Quality of City Services” score, which was then measured against the city’s per-capita budget to construct a “Score per Dollar Spent” index.

Provo’s high rankings in these categories highlight our city’s ability to provide high-quality services efficiently. Our success is built on a foundation of strong financial management, robust education systems, comprehensive health services, and a commitment to safety and economic stability. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to making Provo one of the best-run cities in America.

Let’s continue to work together to keep Provo shining bright!