Hildale, UT & Colorado City, AZ – Ten years ago, the twin towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona – collectively known as Short Creek – embarked on a journey of reclaiming their community and celebrating freedom in a way that had long been denied. This year, as the nation prepares for Independence Day, Short Creek is gearing up for a particularly poignant 10th-anniversary celebration, themed “This Is My Hometown,” marking a decade of unity, healing, and open defiance of past suppression.
For many years, residents of Short Creek were denied the basic right to openly celebrate the Fourth of July, a symbol of freedom often stifled by a controlling past. That silence was shattered in 2015 when a courageous group of volunteers organized the first public celebration in Cottonwood Park. This pivotal event was more than just a holiday gathering; it was a profound act of reclaiming their voices, dignity, and rightful place within the country.
Much of this transformative movement was sparked by the quiet strength and determination of George and Miriam Jessop. They were among the first to stand up and declare, “We deserve this. Our children deserve this.” George, one of the original organizers, famously stated, “We’re celebrating the freedoms of our country, and the freedom that I’ve felt is being liberated from this cult.” Their unwavering resolve gave others permission to hope, to believe that community could be reclaimed, and that joy was not only possible but essential.
Since that groundbreaking day, the Short Creek 4th of July Celebration has blossomed into a powerful annual tradition, built on a foundation of healing, hope, and burgeoning community spirit. Through fireworks, food, lively music, vibrant parades, and moments of prayer, the people of this valley have consistently come together, year after year. Each gathering serves as a powerful reminder to the world, and to themselves, that they are present, they matter, and they are free.
This year’s theme, “This Is My Hometown,” resonates deeply within the community. It stands as a heartfelt declaration that respectfully honors the past, celebrates the present, and sets eyes firmly on the future. It is a powerful affirmation that this land, once known for silence and fear, is now brimming with laughter, songs, the vibrancy of children, and a palpable sense of unity.
The celebration on July 4th in Short Creek will not just commemorate national independence, but also the community’s own hard-won freedom – the freedom to gather openly, to believe differently, to heal from past traumas, and to actively build a brighter future. Above all, it embodies the profound freedom to love neighbors as themselves.
Residents, friends, and visitors are all warmly invited to join Short Creek this Independence Day for a celebration unlike any other. It promises to be an opportunity to witness the enduring power of a community that steadfastly refused to be forgotten, and instead, chose to rise.
“Because this isn’t just a celebration,” a community organizer shared. “This is our hometown
