Fourth of July festivities begin in Dayville at 6:30 AM with a pancake breakfast served at the community church. Spectators then gather at 9:00 AM for the cross- country horse race. This exciting annual event begins from a ranch east of town with riders starting at two-minute intervals. You can watch the dramatic finishes from Gibb Gregg’s arena on the edge of town. Crossing fields, rocky trails, across the river, and over juniper laden hillsides, horse and rider complete the race by cascading down a steep hillside and across the finish line. Winner of the race receives $750 cash, a handmade saddle, and their name engraved on a trophy displayed at the Dayville Merc. Following the horse race is the parade at 11:00. Parade participants line up along the highway just east of the bridge at 10:30 and are quickly signed in and judged. Ribbons are awarded in three categories and also Best of Parade. Entrants stop in the center of town in front of the MC, lifetime Dayville resident, Bill Mascall, Here they are introduced and are awarded their ribbons. The parade route is right down main street (Hwy 26) and traffic is halted for about an hour. A line quickly forms at the city park after the parade with people seeking the infamous “Jake burger”. The park area is the place to be as there something for everyone- a baked goods auction, a duck race with lots of prizes, a pit barbecue, and a horse shoe tournament. There is always a Fourth of July dance at the Dayville Community Hall. The dance helps raise prize money for the horse race. The huge old hall fills with family and friends decked in western attire and dancing shoes. Fourth of July has become the reunion time for many past residents. The town bursts at the seams as every home fills with guests, yards are laden with tents, and horses get out of the pasture and are ridden down main street. The ‘Cow Pasture Golf Tournament’ has also become an anticipated Fourth of July event. Held at the newly opened Dayville South Fork Golf Course, located two miles out of town, the tournament is a three-person scramble. Entrants categorize themselves as Horses, Cows or Mules depending on their level of golf and team are drawn. This year the tourney will be held on Saturday, July 3rd. Entry fee is $10 per player. The Dayville City Hall generally publishes a complete Fourth of July Schedule of Events that is posted around the town, available at area businesses, and seen in the Blue Mountain Eagle. To have one emailed to you contact the City of Dayville via dville@ortelco.net.
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