16 June 29th–July 5th, 2023 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times | music | cafe | film | culTuRe | NighT+Day | feaTuRe | NeWs | OPiNiON | feeDBacK | cONTeNTs | Avondale’s Light Up The Sky Independence Day Celebration Saturday, July 1 Phoenix Raceway, 7602 Jimmie Johnson Drive, Avondale Celebrate the Fourth of July a few days early at a free affair with games, live music, DJs, food trucks and kids’ activities. A 25-minute-long fireworks showcase is at 8:25 p.m. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. VIP packages are $35-$55 for adults and free for children 3 and under. Call 623-333-2400. Fortunate Son Saturday, July 1 We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, 10438 N. Fort McDowell Road, Scottsdale Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band Fortunate Son will perform a special concert at 7:30 p.m. A fireworks spec- tacular happens afterward. Tickets are $25. Call 480-789-5300. Forty8 Live! Sunset Concert Series Saturday, July 1 Phoenix Events Complex, 2209 N. 99th Ave. Kick off the holiday weekend with a concert by Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute Skynyrd & Frynds and Eagles tribute band Desperado, followed by a colorful fire- works show. Food trucks and a children’s play area will also be available. The music starts at 7:30 p.m. General admission is $15 per person or $45 for four people. Visit forty8live.com. Red, White & Choo Choo Sunday, July 2 McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale The young (and the young-at-heart) can get unlimited rides on the train and carousel during this family-friendly event from 4 to 9 p.m. Water slides, a pie-eating contest, barbecue food trucks, and mechanical bull-riding are also planned. The skyrockets will be ignited at 9 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $5 for kids 3 to 12 and free for those 2 and under. Anthem Independence Day Celebration Monday, July 3 Anthem Community Park, 41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway The fireworks are scheduled for 9 p.m. and follow an evening of activities that include water slides, rides, roaming entertainers like stilt walkers and jugglers, a glitter tattoo station, and dancing. The event is at 6:30 p.m. and admission is free. Art of Noize Fireworks & Car Show Monday, July 3 Victory Sports Park, 22603 N. 43rd Ave., Glendale You can check out all the tricked-out rides on display at this event, which starts at 5 p.m., or just enjoy the fireworks show at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $5 and there’s a $30 participation fee per vehicle for the car show. No coolers or outside food are permitted. July 4th Celebration Monday, July 3 and Tuesday, July 4 Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, 4243 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, Glendale Fireworks shows will take place at the water park at 8:45 p.m. each night. Gates open at 10:30 a.m. Daily admission is $30 per person when purchased online. Call 623-201-2000. Apache Junction’s Fourth of July Tuesday, July 4 Superstition Shadows Park, 1091 W. Southern Ave., Apache Junction This free event starts at 6 p.m. with games, vendors, food and drinks, live music from local band Rhythm Edition and free water- melon. The fireworks show gets going at 8:30 p.m. You can bring coolers and bags but alcohol and glass containers aren’t allowed. (Items will be checked and orga- nizers recommend clear bags to speed up the process.) Parking is limited. Arizona Celebration of Freedom Tuesday, July 4 Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St., Mesa Family-friendly fun will include a BMX Stunt Show, a Yankee Doodle Kids’ Zone, a car show, outdoor waterslides, an indoor laser show, and patriotic entertainment. The fireworks begin around 9:30 p.m. and will be preceded by a “Salute to America.” Gates open at 6 p.m. Admission is free. Items will be screened upon entry and an express lane will be available for patrons without bags or purses. Portable seating, sealed non-alcoholic beverages, and coolers less than 26 inches long and 16 inches wide are permitted. Buckeye’s Independence Day Celebration Tuesday, July 4 Buckeye Airport, 3000 S. Palo Verde Road, Buckeye Vendors, food trucks, yard games, and live music await at this tailgate-style event, which starts at 6:30 p.m. The fireworks begin around 9 p.m. and people are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs. Admission is free. Call 623-349-6364. Chandler’s All- American Bash Tuesday, July 4 Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, 178 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler Party band Turn It Up! will perform sets from 7:05 to 8:05 p.m. and 8:25 to 9:25 p.m. with a five- minute pyrotechnic show starting at 8:20 p.m. The free event starts at 7 p.m. and there will be yard games and food vendors. Fabulous Phoenix Fourth Tuesday, July 4 Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road After a four-year hiatus, this popular Fourth of July event is returning for 2023. As always, it will boast one of Arizona’s biggest fire- works displays, as well as kids’ activities, food and drinks, and craft vendors. Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. and the pyrotechnic theatrics are at 9:30 p.m. It’s free to attend. Nonalcoholic beverages, personal shade devices, and coolers are permitted. Light rail is recommended as nearby parking is limited. Fourth at the Fountain Tuesday, July 4 Fountain Park, 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills Fountain Hills’ namesake landmark will provide a dramatic backdrop for the 9 p.m. fireworks display at this free event. Cover band Rock Lobster will perform at 7 p.m. and there will also be prize giveaways and food vendors. Chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets are allowed but alcohol and glass containers aren’t permitted. Gilbert 4th of July Celebration Tuesday, July 4 Gilbert Regional Park, 3005 E. Queen Creek Road Aerial entertainment, drones, and fire- works will dance in the sky starting at 9 p.m. at this celebration. Pre-show enter- tainment will be provided by the Buddy Martell Band at 4:30 p.m. followed by Journey tribute act Voyager at 7 p.m. Food and drink vendors will also be available. Hours are 4 to 9:30 p.m. General admission is free. VIP packages are $25 for adults and free for kids 2 and under. Goodyear’s Star Spangled 4th Tuesday, July 4 Goodyear Ballpark, 1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear The Fourth of July festivities will include live bands, food and drink vendors, bounce houses for the kiddos and the requisite fireworks show. Hours are from 6 to 10 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Great American 4th Tuesday, July 4 Copper Sky Recreation Complex, 44345 W. Martin Luther King Blvd., Maricopa Fireworks are scheduled to fill the skies above Maricopa’s Copper Sky Recreation Complex at 9 p.m. The public can watch from their cars or while sitting in the grass. Parking is $10 per vehicle on the day of the event. Hours are from 7 to 9:30 p.m. A pool party will also take place from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Admission is $15 to $20 and free for kids 3 and younger. Visit ga4th.com for details. Hometown 4th Tuesday, July 4 Schnepf Farms, 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek Schnepf Farms will host an evening of fire- works, food trucks, live music, vendors, a foam pit, water inflatables, family-friendly activities, and a fireworks show on Independence Day. Gates open at 4 p.m. and admission is $40 per carload. VIP tickets are $120 and feature a barbecue dinner, unlimited soft drinks, private parking, up-front viewing of the fireworks and more. Visit schnepffarms.com. Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers are scheduled to perform during Peoria’s All-American Festival on July 4. New Frontier Touring Dazzling Displays from p 15 >> p 18
