“Big Red” will carry grand marshal in Flagstaff’s July 4th Parade

Fun Fact: Percival Lowell had the backseat of Big Red built to be extra wide so his wife Constance could lie down and take naps during their excursions.

“Big Red” will carry grand marshal in Flagstaff’s July 4th Parade

Percival Lowell’s cherry-red 1911 Stevens-Duryea automobile, affectionately nicknamed “Big Red” by Lowell staff, typically resides in the lobby area of the Putnam Collection Center as a display piece. This July, however, it will make a grand appearance in the 2022 Flagstaff 4th of July Parade!

Despite being well over a century old, Big Red is subject to regular maintenance and remains in working order. After a series of test-drives, this vintage automobile has been deemed fit to do the honors of carrying the grand marshal of this year’s parade, astronaut Harrison “Jack” Schmitt.

As a crewmember of the successful Apollo 17 Moon mission in 1972, Schmitt became the 12th and last person, as well as the only geologist, to have walked on the surface of the Moon. 50 years later, he is returning to Flagstaff, the place where he lived throughout the mid-1960’s and completed much of his pre-mission training. He is looking forward to reuniting with old friends and honoring the memory of those who are no longer with us.

The parade is scheduled to begin at 9am on the 4th of July, and will follow its traditional path through the streets of Flagstaff’s historic downtown. For more information about the parade, contact the Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce at 928-774-4505, or visit flagstaffchamber.com.