As tradition would have it, patriotic crowds turned out in mass to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with an expansive variety of Fourth of July events.
On Friday throught Sunday the beloved San Juan County Gem and Mineral Society was held at McGee Park. On Saturday, 505 Shredz Skate Shop sponsored a Party in the Park.
In the evening, the Farmington Museum & Visitor Center hosted a free live music event as part of its Summer Terrace Series, featuring the Kissmah Brass Band with the Sacred Voce Choir, who were accompanied by piccoloist Ashlie Gold and trumpeter Delbert Anderson.
Film Four Corners sponsored the Freedom Days Electric Light Parade in downtown Farmington on Saturday evening, and Bloomfield planned to hold a July 5 fireworks show Sunday to close out the jam-packed weekend of celebrations.
A slightly overcast sky softened the summer heat as hundreds packed into Farmington’s E3 Children’s Museum and Science Center on Saturday, turning the beloved Freedom Days Ice Cream Social into a swirl of magic tricks, hay rides, face painting and patriotic celebration.
The annual event – a fundraiser for the museum and a community kickoff to the Fourth of July – drew families, performers and volunteers for four hours of music, contests and Americana. Between scoops of donated Baskin-Robbins ice cream and performances by “Into the Woods” cast members, attendees reflected on what freedom means to them, offering perspectives that ranged from personal independence to the promise of the American dream.
With patriotic music blasting the airwaves, clearly the vibe was freedom and fun. Luke Renner, the New Mexico Stringslinger, entertained, and Farmington’s own Miss New Mexico for America Strong 2026, Stepheny Atencio, walked elegantly through the crowd.
“May the fourth be with you,” said Michael Darmody as he enjoyed his bowl of ice cream.
He lives nearby and has missed the event for the last 10 years.
“The museum is really terrific,” he said.
“Be careful what you wish for,” Darmody cryptically replied when asked what freedom means. “Freedom lies within … an inner thing where you’re not controlled by your fears and desires and all that stuff.”
Tammy Cleveland, a Noonday Civitan Club volunteer scooping ice cream, said, “It’s a great turnout and nice that it’s not real hot. We do it to help the Museum Foundation.”
Being a U.S. citizen is what she likes most about the Fourth of July – and freedom means “choices,” she said.
Farmington resident and volunteer Olena Erickson, previously from Ukraine, danced gracefully in patriotic red, white and blue.
She said all prizes were donated, including ice cream from Baskin-Robbins, to raise money for the E3 Childrens Museum.
“Freedom, that’s what we experienced for 250 years of American dream,” she said. “You can do in this country whatever you want, and you’re not going to get punished for it, and you’re going to be embraced with different views and diversity, and that’s what freedom is for.”
Cord Shamek, who had just arrived, said freedom was “what we’re doing right here.”
His girlfriend, Santita Lee, said the Fourth of July means “freedom.”
Jacob Biggs, 10, who had just competed in the ice cream eating contest, said freedom means “independence.”
His mother, Nadine Biggs, described the event as “interesting” and said freedom suggests the “red, white and blue.”
The ‘Stringslinger’ yo-yo master Luke Renner, who had just returned from a national yo-yo contest in Las Vegas, said, “Oh, this is the best event in Farmington … and I’m so glad that it’s back.” For him freedom means “happiness.”
Keyshawn Yazzie, a yo-yo enthusiast, said the event was “awesome.”
“You get to meet people,” he said. “There’s ice cream social, you know. You can’t go wrong with ice cream, right?”
And, for Yazzie, freedom is a “lifestyle.”
Cherie Powell, E3 Children’s Museum Education Coordinator, said, “Oh my gosh, exciting! It’s so much fun. Me personally, what I like is I get to see people that I may not have seen since last year.”
For her, the word freedom means “my job … because I’m the boss of fun, and I get to do all kinds of amazing things here.”
“It’s a beautiful day for families in our community to be together to celebrate America’s birthday, the 250th anniversary of America, and being together as a community,” Atencio said. “And, it’s just such a blessing to be here in Farmington to be a part of this.”
For her, freedom means “the ability to live a life of free choices and responsibilities.”