Loads of activities planned during Murray City’s Fun Days

                The Fourth of July Fun Days celebration in Murray City has been a tradition for many years. This year, the fun begins on Monday, July 4 at 7 a.m., with the annual sunrise service at the Murray Park Amphitheater (160 East 5300 South). Britton Johnsen, a basketball player at Murray High School who was recognized as a McDonald’s All-American, Parade’s All-American and Utah’s Mr. Basketball in 1997, and was a key player at the University of Utah, will deliver the patriotic address for the event.

                “He shares the love he has developed for his country after traveling the world as he played basketball overseas,” Murray Cultural Director Mary Ann Kirk said.

                Beginning at 8 a.m., the Fun Days 5K race gets underway and a children’s race (ages 4-9) will begin at 9 a.m. Pre-registration is encouraged by visiting www.mcreg.com.

At 8:30 a.m., the Fun Days parade will begin at Fashion Place Mall, traveling north along State Street and ending in Murray Park. The city float will introduce Murray City’s library centennial celebration, which begins in 2012. Murray Library Director Dan Barr will be the grand marshal for the parade. Additionally, Friends of the Murray Library will sponsor a booth in Murray Park where people can play games and donate to the centennial fund.

“We’re looking at a permanent art project for the library,” Barr said. “We’re looking at some kind of stained glass for the windows. We’re in the process of getting a design created. We’re really excited.”   

Following the parade, events will be held at Murray Park throughout the day, including children’s games, rides, food vendors, a car show, volleyball and baseball games and a variety of entertainment. The evening concert is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. and will feature Charley Jenkins, a popular country singer. Fireworks will conclude the day’s festivities at 10 p.m.

“Organizers would like to remind people about rules and safety issues in Murray Park,” Kirk said. “Smoking is not permitted in the park. For everyone’s safety, those attending are asked to leave personal fireworks at home and keep children away from the Little Cottonwood Creek, which will likely be running extremely high.”