EVENTS

32 Fourth of July events around metro Phoenix

Wendy Killeen
The Republic | azcentral.com

Before you make a final decision on where to celebrate Fourth of July, check out our 32 places around metro Phoenix.

Fabulous Phoenix 4th | 6-10 p.m. Friday, July 4. Third Street and Indian School Road, Phoenix. Free. 602-262-6862, phoenix.gov/parks/fabphx4.html.

Fireworks Family Night

This family-friendly evening at Phoenix First Assembly kicks off with the popular animated movie "Frozen" shown indoors on a huge LED screen. Outside there will be bounce houses, live music, games and food capped by a fireworks show after sunset. The church also will feature patriotic "Celebrate America" performances at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 28, and 9 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday, June 29.

Details: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 2. 13613 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix. Free. 602-867-7117, phoenixfirst.org.

Independence Day Music Festival

"American Idol" season 11 winner Phillip Phillips is headlining the fourth annual festival, along with Sara Robinson and the Midnight Special, Senators and Matt Kahler. It's billed as the largest fireworks show in metro Phoenix, not in length but in size. You can dance in the pit or sit on the grassy field or in the baseball stadium. Blankets, seat cushions and two sealed bottles of water per person are allowed, but no umbrellas, chairs or outside food or drink.

Details: Gates open at 5 p.m., music starts at 5:30 Thursday, July 3. Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Road, Salt River Reservation. $25, free for age 10 or younger (general-admission field seating only). Parking is $10 per vehicle. 480-270-5000, saltriverfields.com.

Light Up the Sky

The stadium at Maryvale Baseball Park will be filled with games, community organization booths and inflatable rides the day before the Fourth. The fireworks will begin at 9:10 p.m. Only unopened water bottles will be allowed inside the stadium. Food and beverages will be for sale.

Details: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 3. 3600 N. 51st Ave., Phoenix. 602-534-3755, phoenix.gov/parks.

Pleasant Harbor July 3rd Fireworks Show and Event

Take lawn chairs and coolers to the shores of Lake Pleasant on Thursday, July 3, for a dazzling fireworks show over the water at 9 p.m. (weather permitting). The event, hosted by Maricopa Water District, will include bounce houses for children, food and drink vendors, and live music till 11 p.m. Helicopter rides for an additional fee will begin at 2 p.m., and there will be a cruise-in car show at 3. Search Pleasant Harbor RV Resort on Facebook.

Details: 5-11 p.m. Thursday, July 3. Pleasant Harbor RV Resort, 8708 W. Harbor Blvd., Peoria. $12 parking. 928-501-5253.

Independence Day Celebration

Anthem Community Council's annual tradition, now in its 15th year, again will be held the day before Independence Day on the ball fields at Anthem Community Park. Bring blankets and lawn chairs and find a spot early. There will be water slides, bounce houses and other attractions. The national anthem will be performed at 9:25 p.m. followed by fireworks.

Details: 6-10 p.m. Thursday, July 3. 41730 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway. 623-742-4510, onlineatanthem.com/events.

Cave Creek 3rd of July Fireworks Extravaganza

Celebrate Independence Day a day early in Cave Creek. Harold's Corral will feature an outdoor barbecue, mobile-game truck, face painting and shaved ice. The Buffalo Chip Saloon will serve corn dogs, smoked turkey legs, roasted corn and snow cones. The Cave Creek Tap Haus will have a dunk tank, face painting, balloons and giveaways. All three will offer drink specials, live music, free open seating and a view of Rural Metro's fireworks display just after sunset. A free shuttle will transport partygoers around town from 6 p.m. to midnight. Carefree Resort & Conference Center will offer discounted room rates.

Details: 5 p.m. Thursday, July 3.

■Harold's Corral, 6895 E. Cave Creek Road. $10-$30 for reserved seating. 480-488-1906, haroldscorral.com.

■The Buffalo Chip Saloon, 6811 E Cave Creek Road. $10-$30 for reserved seating. 480-488-9118, buffalochipsaloon.com.

■Cave Creek Tap Haus, 6900 E Cave Creek Road. Free. 480-488-3300, cavecreektaphaus.com.

■Carefree Resort & Conference Center, 37220 Mule Train Road. $89 room rates July 3-6 while available; $11.95 breakfast buffet. 480-488-5300, www.carefree-resort.com.

Tommy Billings races his star-spangled bike after decorating it for the upcoming "Red, White and Boom" Independence Day celebration in Ahwatukee.

Red White & Boom

This event at the Ahwatukee Country Club will include such kids activities as a zip line, water zones and bounce houses. Sky divers, live music and a color-guard march will be featured. Beer, shaved ice, frozen lemonade, kettle corn and nachos will be among items for sale. Fireworks will be featured at 9 p.m.

Details: 5-10 p.m. Thursday, July 3. 12432 S. 48th St., Phoenix. Free; $10 parking; $15-$25 for the Boom Room misted area. 480-753-7676, red-white-boom.com.

Fabulous Phoenix 4th

More than 100,000 people are expected to be in Steele Indian School Park for the 20-minute fireworks show, making it the largest free Fourth of July event in the Valley. Local cover band Big Zephyr will play the main stage and other local musicians will be on a second. There will be more than 50 food and drink vendors, about 16 inflatable and water rides in the kids' zone, and a car show. Guests are allowed to bring in their own food and drink, though no alcohol is allowed or sold. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m.

Details: 6-10 p.m. Friday, July 4. Third Street and Indian School Road, Phoenix. Free. 602-262-6862, phoenix.gov/parks/fabphx4.html.

July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival

The oldest fireworks show in metro Phoenix will kick off at 9:15 p.m. and last 35 minutes. About 50,000 people are expected in the festival, which will feature live music before and after the fireworks, most notably from Don't Tell Mom, a group of four tween boys who play rock. There will be a family-fun zone with inflatables and a rock wall, and the park's Splash Playground will have time-designated wristbands so people can avoid long lines. Participants can bring blankets, chairs, umbrellas up to 4 feet long and up to one sealed gallon of water per person. No other outside food or drink allowed.

Details: Gates open 5 p.m. Friday, July 4. Tempe Town Lake, Mill Avenue and Rio Salado Parkway. $5 in advance, $8 at the gate, free for military and age 12 or younger. VIP tickets are $60, $30 for ages 6 through 12, free for age 5 and younger (though free admission does not include dinner). 480-350-5189, tempe4th.com.

4th of July All-American Festival

Peoria's largest event is expected to attract up to 30,000 people with its festivities. Three stages will host country, rock and blues performers, as well as three eating contasts: to eat 2 pounds of tater tots, a 44-ounce slushie or as many footlong hot dogs as possible in less than 10 minutes. The splash zone will have more than 20 inflatables, and Radio Disney will host games in the kids zone. You can bring your own food but not alcohol; beer will be sold inside. Fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m.

Details: Gates open at 5 p.m. Friday, July 4. Peoria Sports Complex, 16101 N. 83rd Avenue. $5, free for age 12 or younger. Parking is free. 623-773-8700, peoriasportscomplex.com.

Fire in the Sky

Central Christian Church invites you to bring chairs and blankets to its Gilbert campus for a celebration that will include a watermelon-eating contest, free beach balls, music and giveaways. Vendors will sell glow necklaces and such food as hot dogs, watermelon, nachos and snow cones. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. Two additional viewing locations are available nearby for the fireworks show at about 9 p.m.

Details: 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 4. 965 E. Germann Road, Gilbert. Free; canned-food donations requested. 480-305-7500, centralaz.com/fits.

Fireworks to Feed the Hungry

Bring a carload of family, friends, blankets and chairs to Schnepf Farms and get everyone in for 10 cans of food (or $10). Through its Freedom Project event, the Queen Creek campus of Central Christian Church aims to fill food pantries in Queen Creek and San Tan Valley. There will be a watermelon-eating contest, face painting and giveaways. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m.

Details: 6-10 p.m. Friday, July 4. 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek. Ten cans of food per carload or $10. 480-305-7500, ext. 2232, centralaz.com/freedom.

Tolleson's 4th of July Celebration

Two messy All-American eating competitions will be featured at Veterans Park. At 6 p.m., watch contestants woof down 10 hot dogs as quickly as they can, and at 8, see how fast participants can scarf down an apple pie without using their hands. There will be live music, water slides, watermelon and vendors selling food and crafts. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m.

Details: 4-9:30 p.m. Friday, July 4. 8601 W. Van Buren St., Tolleson. Free. 623-474-4992, tollesonaz.org/celebrate.

Fourth of July Block Party

An Independence Day block party will be included for overnight guests (two adults, two children) who book the Star-Spangled Spectacular Weekend Package at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa. There will be live music, a dual slip-and-slide, sports challenge, face painting and such All-American challenges as tug-of-war, sack races, a water-balloon toss competition and watermelon-eating contests. A great view of Rawhide Western Town's fireworks display also will be offered at around 10 p.m. Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5.

Details: 6-9 p.m. Friday, July 4. 5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Gila River Reservation. $129 package July 4, $99 per additional night through July 7 with JULY14 rate plan. 866-837-4156, wildhorsepassresort.com.

4th of Zoo-Ly

Watch fireworks with the animals at this special Fourth of July celebration in the Phoenix Zoo. Enjoy evening access to the park, a barbecue and family activities. End the night with a stunning view of the fireworks over Tempe Town Lake.

Details: 7-10 p.m. Friday, July 4. 455 N. Galvin Parkway. $45; $35 for ages 3-12. 602-273-1341, phoenixzoo.org.

Westgate Firework Fest

This patriotic festival, presented by Sanderson Ford and a variety of sponsors, will feature live music on two stages, a beer garden, car show and a 15-minute fireworks display at 9 p.m. Westgate restaurants and bars will offer grab-and-go deals, and you can cool off at the Fountain Park Splash Pad near AMC Theatres. Hotel packages also are available from Renaissance Glendale Hotel & Spa starting at $89 a night.

Details: 5-9:30 p.m. Friday, July 4. Westgate Entertainment District, Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue, Glendale. 623-385-7502, westgateaz.com/fourth.

4th of July Fireworks and Fun

Celebrate America's birthday with a bang as the Main Street Coalition and Buckeye put on their annual Fourth of July event. The bash includes family activities, all-American food and a fireworks show beginning at 9 p.m.

Details: 6-9:30 p.m. Friday, July 4. Youngker High School, 3000 S. Apache Road, Buckeye. Free. 623-349-6322, buckeyeaz.gov.

2014 Hometown Fireworks Celebration

Celebrate in Apache Junction with a free sand-volleyball tournament at 8 a.m. followed by swimming from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Superstition Shadows Aquatics Center. At 6 p.m., head to the Apache Junction High School football stadium for free watermelon while it lasts, game booths, bounce houses, water slides and music from Reign-n-Country Band, which will perform until the fireworks show begins at 9. Sponsored by Republic Services.

Details: Friday, July 4. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at Superstition Shadows Aquatics Center, 1091 W. Southern Ave.; 6-9:30 p.m. at Apache Junction High School, 2525 S. Ironwood. $1-$2 for public swimming. Free admission, fees apply for evening activities and food. 480-983-2181, ajcity.net/events.

Fourth of July Celebration

Steve LeVine Entertainment, Triyar Entertainment and Donnie Disco bring electronic-music composer and DJ Mat Zo (Matan Zohar) to Maya Day + Nightclub for an Independence Day party. Fire performers and stilt walkers will entertain the crowd and there will be fireworks at 9 p.m. For age 21 or older; strict dress code enforced. VIP table and cabana reservations are available.

Details: Doors open at noon Friday, July 4. 7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale. $15; $35 for VIP. 480-306-5845, sletickets.com or mayaclubaz.com.

July 4th Play Day

Head to Victory Lane Sports Park for a car show on the grass featuring all makes and models of cars plus trucks and motorcycles. There also will be a home-run derby and such games as corn hole, horseshoes, volleyball and kickball. Food and drink specials will be offered. The fireworks will begin about 9 p.m.

Details: 6-11 p.m. Friday, July 4. 22603 N. 43rd Ave., Glendale. $4, free for age 12 or younger. 623-581-6000, playvictorylane.com.

July 4th Celebration

Cave Creek Smokehouse & Pour House Patio invites you to chow down on burgers, hot dogs and pulled-pork sandwiches from 6 to 9 p.m., stroll through about 15 shops in Frontier Town and listen to music. Fireworks will begin about dusk. Get soda and water for $1 during the show and hear live music indoors and DJ tunes outdoors from 7 to 10 p.m.

Details: 7-10 p.m. Friday, July 4. 6245 E. Cave Creek Road. Free admission, additional for food and beverages; $100 per upper-patio table. 480-488-3317, cavecreeksmokehouse.net/events.

Independence Day Boat Parade on Canyon Lake | 1:45-3 p.m. Friday, July 4. Canyon Lake Marina and Campground, 16802 N.E. Arizona 88. Free. 480-288-9233.

Independence Day Boat Parade on Canyon Lake

Grab a seat inside Lakeside Restaurant & Cantina or set up lawn chairs and blankets around Canyon Lake for a boat parade led by members of the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. Boats will line up at marina docks at 1:45 p.m., and at 2, they will motor around the water flying U.S. flags. Fireworks are strictly prohibited.

Details: 1:45-3 p.m. Friday, July 4. Canyon Lake Marina and Campground, 16802 N.E. Arizona 88. Free. 480-288-9233.

July 4th Fireworks Celebration

Arrive early with lawn chairs and blankets to find a good spot on the lawn. Hamburgers, hot dogs, shaved ice and kettle corn will be available, and there will be vendors, including a food truck. The fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. VIP seating includes popcorn, water, cotton candy and preferred seating.

Details: 7-9:30 p.m. Friday, July 4. Living Word Bible Church, 3520 E. Brown Road, Mesa. Free; $25 per person or $50 per family for VIP. 480-964-4463, livingwordonline.org.

Scottsdale 4th of July Celebration at WestWorld

Indoor zones of entertainment will include a bounce house, build-a-car race track, ice-cream village, corn-hole tournament, live music, Radio Disney Road Show performances, prizes and movie packs. Purchase of a Mega Play Zone wristband will add laser tag, video-game trucks, an obstacle course, slide, Air Bots Transformer game, rock-climbing wall and shooting and throwing games. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. Polo-field parking will open at 7 p.m. for fireworks-only fans.

Details: 2-9:30 p.m. Friday, July 4. WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road. $15, $5-$10 in advance, free for age 6 or younger, $25-$30 VIP; $20 Mega Play Zone wristbands, $10 each additional wristband; $5 to park; $20 for fireworks-only parking. 866-977-6849, westworldaz.com.

Chandler's 4th of July Fireworks Celebration

The city, Chandler Lions Club and a number of sponsors present an expanded celebration this year at Tumbleweed Park. A push-pull-pedal bike parade will begin at 6 p.m., and local bands will start playing at 6:15. There will be a free kids carnival, water slides and games, a rock-climbing wall, dunk tank, beer garden and vendors selling hamburgers, grilled-cheese sandwiches, pizza and kettle corn. Non-alcoholic beverages and pre-cooked food are allowed, but no grilling will be permitted. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m.

Details: 4-10:30 p.m. Friday, July 4. 2250 S. McQueen Road. Free; $5 to park. Donations of sneakers, eyeglasses and hearing aids for those in need are requested. 480-782-2735, chandleraz.gov/special-events.

Fourth of July Saucy Ribs & Sassy Swing Event

Make reservations for this dine-and-dance event at Palette, the casual restaurant at the Phoenix Art Museum. A barbecue buffet of crispy chicken, baby-back ribs, salad and cobbler is included; white sangria will be $4 and beer and cocktails will be available. Dance to jazz tunes from the Upper East Side Big Band and meander through the museum's exhibits. For an additional fee, you can see "Hollywood Costume," which wraps on Sunday July 6.

Details: 6-8 p.m. Friday, July 4. Palette at the Phoenix Art Museum, 1625 N. Central Ave. $35, beverages additional; $10-$15 for "Hollywood Costume," free for other exhibits. 602-275-2191, phxart.org/events/special.

Arizona Celebration of Freedom

Mesa's annual event will be held inside the Mesa Convention Center and outside at the Mesa Amphitheater. An Arizona fallen-heroes memorial and military vehicles will be displayed and there will be historical presentations, a car show, carnival-style games, soak zones, bounce houses, chalk art and three stages of entertainment. Replica firearms will be fired during Revolutionary War re-enactments at 7, 8 and 9 p.m. Look for fireworks about 10 p.m. Park at lots in downtown Mesa. Sponsored by Republic Services.

Details: 6-10:30 p.m. Friday, July 4. 263 N. Center St. Free. 480-644-2432, azcelebrationoffreedom.com.

4th of July Cave Creek Fireworks & Food Truck Extravaganza

Rare Earth Gallery in Cave Creek will feature a beer garden and spirits, as well as a kids zone with water rides. Food trucks will be on hand and the house band will play. The gallery boasts "best front row seats in all of Cave Creek" for the town's nearby fireworks display at 9 p.m.

Details: 5:30-10:30 p.m. Friday, July 4. 6424 E. Cave Creek Road. $12, $8 for ages 7-12; free for age 6 or younger; $20 parking. $20-$25 VIP. 480-387-2630, cavecreekevents.weebly.com.

Fourth at the Fountain

Bring lawn chairs and blankets to Fountain Park for a Fourth of July celebration around the town's landmark 560-foot water fountain and lake, thanks to the town, the American Veterans Post No. 7, Elks Lodge No. 2846 and Brokers Alliance Inc. There will be bounce houses, a beer garden, food and music from the Hilltop Band. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m.

Details: 5-10 p.m. Friday, July 4. 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills. $5, free for age 20 or younger. 480-816-5100, fh.az.gov or facebook.com/4thatthefountain.

Fourth of July Freedom Fest

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess features a celebration July 4 and 5, including a vintage air show, military presentations, games and tribute concerts on the lawn both days, and fireworks at 9 p.m. Friday, July 4. Dine at Bourbon Steak, La Hacienda or Ironwood American Kitchen restaurants, and a wristband will get you admission to all but the air show. Vacation packages include all events and resort amenities. Late checkout is offered until 2 p.m. Sunday, July 6.

Details: Friday and Saturday, July 4-5. Schedule online. 7575 E. Princess Drive. $199 per night for Sip, Savor & Splash package. 480-585-4848, scottsdaleprincess.com.

Red, White & Rawhide

Jay Perez, Shining Star, Ambixion and AZ-Tex will perform at the faux frontier town, and there will be food trucks, a vendor village, a combat-sporting event, face painting and tattoos. Look for fireworks about 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 4-5. Purchase tickets for the Beer, Wine and Margarita Festival and get a souvenir glass, two flavored margaritas, five wine tastings and 10 craft-beer tastings.

Details: 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 4-5. Rawhide, 5700 W. North Loop Road, Gila River Reservation. $20, $15 in advance for single day; $25, $20 in advance for both days; free for age 5 or younger; $50 per day for festival ticket; $10 to park July 4 or 5, $5 to park July 6. 480-502-5600, www.electrostub.com/Rawhide.

All American Independence Day Weekend Party

Party poolside on the Lustre Rooftop Garden at Kimpton's Hotel Palomar Phoenix. Barbecue, music and such games as corn hole, ping-pong and champong (beer pong, but with champagne) will be featured along with cocktails made with Tito's handmade vodka. You'll have a great view of the Fabulous Phoenix 4th fireworks display at Steele Indian School Park after dusk Friday, July 4. Wear red, white and blue for a chance at prizes.

Details: 11 a.m.-midnight (pool closes at 9 p.m.) Friday and Saturday, July 4-5; 2-6 p.m. Sunday, July 6. 2 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. $10 July 4 and 5; free July 6. 480-478-1765, facebook.com/lustrebarphoenix/events.

Kaila White, Michael Senft and Ashley Whalen contributed to this list.