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HILDALE, Washington County — Residents of the twin towns of Hildale, Utah, and Colorado City, Arizona, gathered together Saturday to do something they have not done in over a decade: celebrate Independence Day.

The gathering was what the Fourth of July is supposed to look like, with families, friends, even strangers coming together to celebrate America.

"This is a very good thing," said Merril Barlow, who lives in the area.

Kids were playing as adults chatted with one another. Many of them hadn't seen each other in a long time.

"It feels like a reunion to me," said Ilene Johnson, a resident of St. George.

In recent years, socializing has basically been forbidden in the polygamous towns.

"Warren Jeffs, you know, just decided to shut down the schools and shut down the church and shut down anything that was social," Johnson said.

"It's been 11 years since we've had a function like this," Barlow said. "This goes totally against the teachings of the said church."

"I think this is incredible. It shows they're breaking walls down and socializing," said Willey Steed, who was visiting from South Dakota.

It takes a lot of courage to go against those in power, but that's exactly why America was formed and what freedom and independence are all about.

"Gradually, there are many (members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) leaving," Johnson said. "Eventually, they start seeing that maybe this isn't exactly happiness, you know?"

Not everyone in this community celebrated; change takes time. But for those who joined in the festivities, they feel like it's a start.

“It shows them that they have the power to love one another (or) at least be kind,” said George Jessop, a former member of the FLDS Church.

Contributing: Stace Hall

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