Across Arizona, communities will be celebrating the birth of our nation on the 4th of July. Despite supply chain issues, from Bisbee to Lake Havasu City, there are many communities with opportunities to celebrate Independence Day.
Bisbee
July 4
Historic Downtown Bisbee
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Beginning at 8 a.m., more than a dozen speed-crazed kids will go careening around the steep curves of Tombstone Canyon in hand-built coasters.
The Bisbee Coaster Race is the oldest, longest and fastest gravity-powered vehicle race in the country. Kids ages 9-16 compete for prizes while spectators line the 3-mile course that rolls through the heart of historic downtown Bisbee.
After the coaster races, a colorful parade makes its way through the Warren neighborhood at 11 a.m. and fireworks go off in the same neighborhood after the sun goes down.
For more information: 520-590-0432, https://www.discoverbisbee.com.
Flagstaff
July 4
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wheeler Park Downtown
Fireworks have been replaced in Flagstaff for 2022 with a state of the art laser light show.
The long holiday weekend begins with Art in the Park. The juried arts and crafts festival features more than 70 artists from across the Southwest.
It takes place on the big shady lawn of Wheeler Park downtown from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday. Bands perform throughout each day, food vendors are on hand and an expansive beer garden serves local and regional brews.
A colorful parade makes its way through downtown from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday. Also that day, the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra performs a patriotic pops concert at the Pepsi Amphitheater in Fort Tuthill County Park. The event begins at 3 p.m. and is free. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. For more information: https://www.flagstaffarizona.org.
Lights on the Lawn features four days of events at the Continental Country Club. They kick things off Friday and Saturday with dinners and concerts followed by a big cornhole tournament on July 3 to benefit the Humane Society.
A community bash on July 4 will have food trucks, vendors, a beer garden with live music and a kid zone with wet and dry play features. It’s free admission to the big lawn party, which goes from 3 to 10 p.m. and finishes up with the laser light show. VIP tickets cost $125. For more information: https://www.lightsonthelawn.com.
Lake Havasu City
July 4
Fireworks Over the Lake
Thompson Bay
After the sun goes down, watch the sky light up over Thompson Bay with fellow boaters, beach-goers and tailgaters. Get to your viewing location early and celebrate the magic and wonder of this Fourth of July fireworks spectacular, or spend the day on the water and tie up with your fellow boaters in Thompson Bay to watch the fireworks from the comfort of your boat.
Best Viewing Locations: Rotary Park (plenty of free parking, straight view of the fireworks, coolers allowed, no alcohol or pets permitted), Nautical Beachfront Resort (on the island, limited free parking and limited access starting at 8pm, coolers and outside alcohol not permitted), London Bridge Beach (on the island, free parking, coolers allowed), Thompson Bay (via boat*, please anchor both bow and stern due to winds and current, anchor early as Thompson Bay fills up).
Fireworks will be set off directly across the bay from Lookout Point on Spectator Point (at The Nautical Beachfront Resort).
The professionals at Skydive Havasu will make a thrilling freefall at 7 p.m. with an Arizona flag, an American flag banner and a POW/MIA flag. They’ll land at Bridgewater Links Golf Course at London Bridge Resort.
Nogales
July 4
4th of July Parade – Together Again
Fleischer Park
10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Parade begins at 10:00 a.m. Parade route – from U.S. Mexico Border to War Memorial Field on Morley Avenue. Fireworks at 8:30 p.m. Celebration at Fleischer Park
Payson
July 4
Green Valley Park
1:00 p.m. –
Starts at 1 p.m. and include an egg race, water balloon toss and tug of war. The pie-eating contest at 3:30 is open to hungry adults and kids alike. Bands begin playing at the amphitheater at 4 p.m. and play until the fireworks go off over the lake at 8:30.
Since parking is limited, a shuttle service runs from Payson High School, 301 S. McLane Road, to Green Valley Park from 4-9:30 p.m. For more information: 928-472-5110, https://paysonrimcountry.com.
Phoenix
Prescott
The World’s Oldest Rodeo
June 27 – July 4
840 Rodeo Dr., Mackin Building # D, Prescott, AZ 86305
The World’s Oldest Rodeo features an outdoor showing of “Junior Bonner,” starring Steve McQueen and filmed in Prescott during the famous rodeo. The 1972 movie will air at 8 p.m. Monday, June 27, at the Prescott Rodeo Grounds. Concessions and a full bar will be open. Tickets are $5.
After that there are rodeo events and performances through July 4. The World’s Oldest Rodeo Parade streams through downtown past Courthouse Plaza beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 2. The theme is “Celebrating 50 Years of Junior Bonner.” Grand marshal will be Chase McQueen, grandson of Steve McQueen.
Prescott Courthouse Plaza
July 2 – July 4
Courthouse Plaza will be bustling all weekend. The Prescott Rodeo Days Art & Crafts Show starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 2, and ends at 6 p.m. Monday, July 4. The juried art show spreads out beneath the shady elms on the plaza and features paintings, pottery, jewelry, metal works, home décor and plenty more. For more information: Visit https://worldsoldestrodeo.com.
Watson Lake Park
July 4
3:00 – 10:00 p.m.
There’s also a big party at Watson Lake Park on July 4, and that’s where the fireworks will go off. The festivities are from 3 to 10 p.m. and include food vendors, live music, water slides and a beer garden. There will also be a tribute to the Granite Mountain Hotshots. Fireworks light up the sky above the lake at 9.
General admission is $5; cash only on the day of the event. Unlimited water-slide passes for kids include general admission for $25 ($30 day of the event, cash only). Free parking and shuttle at Pioneer Park. To purchase tickets and passes in advance, visit https://prescott.events.
For more information: https://www.prescott-az.gov.
Sahuarita
Sahuarita Town Hall
July 4
5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Join us for Sahuarita Stars & Stripes on July 4th to celebrate our nation’s birthday in the desert! The event will be from 5 PM – 9 PM at Sahuarita Town Hall. There will be live music, a car show, Rolling Thunder parade, beer & wine, food trucks, and vendors. We will finish off the night with a laser show and fireworks! Be sure to bring your picnic chairs and blankets to enjoy the show.
Parade: 4:30 PM
Music: 5 PM – 8:30 PM
Laser Show: 8:45 PM
Fireworks: 9 PM
Show Low
Show Low Celebration
July 4
9:00 am. – 10:00 p.m.
The parade begins at 9 a.m. as it rolls along Deuce of Clubs. As soon as the parade wraps up, Wet Zone in Frontier Park gets going. Sprinklers and fire hoses soak down a couple of soccer fields and they break out the Slip ‘n Slides and other water toys.
You’ll just have time to dry off for FreedomFest, which starts at 3 p.m. at the Show Low Football Stadium complex. There will be food, live music and rides in the Fun Zone. Fireworks are scheduled at 9 p.m. All events are free, except the Fun Zone where unlimited-ride wristbands costs $5. For more information: 928-532-4000, https://www.showlowaz.gov.
