For America’s 250th birthday, the Artesia Chamber of Commerce is going all out with skydiving, tournaments and a host of other events aimed at bringing in the community.
“We went big,” Executive Director Jessica Bollema said. “We’re here for this milestone year. We’re excited to bring it to Artesia.”
Most activities will take place at Jaycee Park. The main parking lot will be open to vehicles until 6 p.m. or once it becomes full. The south parking lot will remain open for foot traffic.
“You can walk in, bring lawn chairs and enjoy the live music,” Bollema said.
Residents can go to https://www.artesia4thofjuly.com/ for the schedule, to register for specific events and for a list of frequently asked questions.
“This allows us to keep all Fourth of July information on one website,” marketing and events coordinator Kamili Burnett said. “It’s an easy resource. The goal was just to make it more accessible for community members. “
Here’s your guide to Artesia’s Fourth of July Events.
All day
From July 3 through July 5, Viva Skydive will do tandem skydiving at Artesia Municipal Airport.
Artesia Historical Museum and Art Center, in collaboration with Artesia Public Library, will host a free ice cream and hot dog social starting at 11 a.m. on July 3 at 505 West Richardson Avenue.
Eight food trucks will be available at Jaycee Park on July 4: East Coast Eats, Get Smashed, Quenched LLC, Loaded LLC, Snows Smoked BBQ, The Sno Cone Place, Bar Ditch Bistro LLC, Small Town Sips and Aye Que Churro.
7 a.m.
Independence Day will kick off with a citywide salute consisting of a prayer, the pledge of allegiance and the national anthem. Residents can watch the salute at KSVPTV.com or tune in on KTZA 92.9 FM or KSVP AM 990 and 93.7 FM. They can also join the salute live at Baish Veteran’s Park in front of City Hall.
“The citywide salute is going to be a great thing,” Bollema said. “It’s a new addition this year. Our goal is to have the entire community involved.”
The country club is hosting their firecracker golf scramble at 7 a.m. Artesians can pay $400 to have a team, $100 to become a sponsor with signage on the golf course, or $500 for both.
The Stars, Stripes and Dinks Pickleball Tournament will happen at Jaycee Park in three divisions: beginner and intermediate with 16 players each and advanced with 20 players. The event is a partner-switch-style tournament where people register individually and are paired with a new player for each round.
Cash prizes will be awarded for the top two winners across each division. The cost of entry is $20, and residents should text 575-308-8019 or 575-703-5223 prior to June 24th to join the tournament.
7:30 a.m.
The Star-Spangled Dash 5K Fun Run will begin in Baish Park. The race is $10 per person; kids run for free.
8 a.m.
Registration opens for the 9 a.m. 4v4 Co-ed Volleyball Tournament at Jaycee Park. Each game has a limit of two men, and players are guaranteed at least three games. The cost is $20 per person, with cash prizes for the first, second and losers’ bracket winners. Artesians can contact Trent Taylor at 575-703-1406 with questions.
Registration also opens for the 9 a.m. “Let Freedom Ring” Patriotic Parade organized by Elks Club D.O.E.S. The parade is free to enter and will start at the Bulldog Bowl. The parade route down Main Street be found at the chamber’s Fourth of July website.
3 p.m.
The Beer & ‘Rita Garden, hosted by the restaurant Adobe Rose, will be open from 3 to 9 p.m. across from the stage.
3:30 p.m.
Top Dog Cornhole will host a double elimination cornhole tournament in Jaycee Park. People will automatically be assigned partners and must register in advance on Scoreholio.
Live music in Jaycee Park
Country musician Aiden Logsdon will perform at 3 p.m., followed by rock & roll artist ShineOla at 6 p.m.
9 p.m. or dark
Brad Knowlton will produce the fireworks show with J&M Display at Jaycee Park. Bollema said that in requesting donations for the show, her team “got a little creative this year.”
“Twenty-six dollars for 2026,” she said. “Forty-seven dollars for the 47th president. We even have $76 dollars for 1776. It’s kind of all over.”
Bollema added that many people came together to organize the event.
“It takes a village to put all of these things on,” Bollema said. “From the Artesia Public Library to the Museum to the Elks Club Does who do the parade every year, there’s a lot of people who have their hands in this.”
In doing so, the city aims to get residents interested and engaged on Independence Day.
“We want people to get involved,” Bollema said. “Whether you’re at the golf course getting ready to tee off, or at Jaycee Park waiting to play pickleball or volleyball, or whether you’re at home drinking a cup of coffee at 7 a.m.”
