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PROVO — As Utahns gear up for the Fourth of July, some are already celebrating.
At 9 a.m, Thursday, an estimated 300,000 people will be along the Freedom Festival Parade route in Provo. Thousands of people are already staking out their spot and camping out the night before.
People started gathering at about 3 p.m. Wednesday.
"I have a bunch of friends coming and then in the morning some family members and their little kids will be joining us as well," said Hilary Willcocks.
Willcocks said she doesn't mind waiting 18 hours to make sure her and her friends have a premier spot for the parade.
"I love the Fourth of July," she said. "It is so fun people watching. You see the biggest variety of people walking up and down the street."
Wayne Latu, another local camping out, said he doesn't plan on trying to sleep Wednesday night. The night before the parade is one of his favorite nights of the year.
"We are diehard. We're ready to go," Latu said. "The experience at nighttime, you get to see people you only see once a year who are in the parade."
The parade will follow the usual route, starting on University Avenue near Provo High School and heading down to 100 South. Then it will go round the historic Utah County Courthouse and back to Center Street, east to 900 East.
The Provo Police Department brings in extra officers overnight to help keep the peace along University Avenue, where people are allowed the camp; spots can't be reserved on Center Street until 5 a.m.
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Sometimes, it's OK to dwell on the past. That was the thought shared by visitors and organizers of America's Freedom Festival at Provo."The night before is very active. Officers are very busy," said Lt. Mathew Siufanua with the department.
Siufanua said campers along the parade route should keep a close eye on their children if they bring any.
"Don't let them walk off," he said. "Watch your personal items. Don't just leave them out. Keep them close to you."
It's the noise complaints that keep police the busiest, Siufanua said, so turning the volume down on late-night activities can help police keep the peace.
The other big event Thursday night is Stadium of Fire. Kelly Clarkson will headline the event that draws 50,000 people to the stadium and tens of thousands more into Provo to watch the fireworks.
