A new-fashioned 4th of July

The Fourth of July is one of those summer holidays synonymous with large crowds gathering to swim, eat and watch fireworks. Unfortunately, this year due to COVID-19 those celebrations look a little different. There are opportunities to go to a “drive-in” style fireworks show across the Valley or maybe you’re lucky to be able to catch a glimpse from your backyard. You can also stay in the air-conditioned comfort and watch online – something we are all too familiar with these days. Whichever way you choose to celebrate, have a safe and healthy Fourth!

AROUND THE VALLEY

Arizona Celebration of Freedom. Fireworks at 9 pm; parking lots open at 6 pm. Free. Please park as specifically directed by Mesa Police and the event security team. This is to provide physical distancing, but also to maintain a quick entrance and safety for all attendees. Please remain in the empty spot, generally on the passenger side of your vehicle, whenever possible so that each group of guests has their own area for watching the fireworks. Fiesta Mall, 1425 W. Southern Ave., Mesa.arizonacelebrationoffreedom.com.

Fourth of July Celebration. Fireworks at 8:40 pm. The display will be staged in the area around Bullard Avenue and Paradise Lane. The city encourages people to observe the fireworks show remotely from their homes or vehicles, as the display will be visible from vantage points across the community. Limited surface parking is available at Surprise Stadium, Surprise Aquatic Center and Dreamcatcher Park. While not recommended, should observers chose to drive to the Civic Center and Recreation Campus area, parking will be first come and must be done in accordance with state and local traffic laws. surpriseaz.gov.

Hometown 4th at Schnepf Farms. Fireworks at 8:30 pm; event runs 4-10 pm. $25/per carload general admission. The event will feature live music, craft vendors, food trucks, beer & wine bar, and a 30-minute firework show to end the night! Guests will be invited to bring food, non-alcoholic drinks, pop up tents, and games to set up and enjoy the day before the firework spectacular at the end of the night. Schnepf Farms, 24610 S. Rittenhouse Road, Queen Creek. 480-987-3100 or schnepffarms.com.
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Scottsdale’s Annual 4th of July Celebration. Fireworks at 9 pm; gates open at 7 pm. Patrons can safely enjoy the show from the comfort of their own vehicles. Only $25 a carload in the beautiful Polo Fields of WestWorld of Scottdale. Concessions include all-American hot dogs, chips, soft drinks, wine, beer, and spike seltzers, plus meat and vegan tacos from The Original AZ Taco Festival Truck. WestWorld of Scottsdale, 16601 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale. scottsdale4th.com.

ONLINE ONLY: City of Peoria’s All-American Festival at Home. 10 am-9 pm online activities. The city will also rebroadcast the best of previous fireworks shows at the end of the day. Festival activities include Home Hangouts, a BBQ cook-off, Patriotic Bike Parade, cannonball competition and special visits from Prickly Pete will be streamed live throughout the day. Tune into the festival all day in any of the following ways: Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CityofPeoriaAz; Twitter: www.twitter.com/peoriaaz; YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCr2anV7zsCAo1Rvjga7nYEA or Peoria Ch. 11 through Cox Channel 11 and CenturyLink Channel 8509.

TUCSON AND SURROUNDING AREA

Fourth of July Fireworks Show. Fireworks at 8 pm. The Sierra Vista Rotary Club, in partnership with the City of Sierra Vista, will present the community with an aerial fireworks display in celebration of Independence Day. A safety perimeter will be established around where the fireworks are ignited west of the Domingo Paiz Sports Complex. Prior to the display, Tacoma Street and Las Brisas Way will be closed at Coronado Drive. In addition, the Highway 90 Bypass will be closed from Coronado Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway starting at about 6 pm. Many residents will be able to see the aerial display from their own homes and it will be visible from public spaces throughout the community. The fireworks show will be broadcast live online by CoolFM Online and Cherry Creek Radio will be broadcasting patriotic music during the display. sierravistaaz.gov.

July 4th Fireworks Show. Fireworks at 9 pm. Fireworks show from the Community and Recreation Center. They will be using larger shells that will soar higher into the night sky. No parking will be available at Naranja Park, 810 W. Naranja Drive, Oro Valley. orovalley.gov.

NATIONAL VIRTUAL FOURTH EVENTS

A Boston Pops Salute to Our Heroes. 5-8 pm. The program spotlights some favorite moments from recent Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular Broadcasts including performances by Melissa Etheridge, Andy Grammer, Arlo Guthrie, Queen Latifah, Rita Moreno and many more. Available on cable/satellite and streaming services and on Bloomberg Radio.

July 4th with the National Archives. For 50 years, the Archives has celebrated the founding of the United States that includes a traditional reading ceremony of the Declaration of Independence on the Museum steps. This year, the National Archives will lift the words of the Declaration of Independence off of its well-worn parchment and bring them to homes across the country online, while providing a host of educational activities for the whole family.

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular. NBC’s presents the 43rd annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular returns for a night of sparkling skies and music stars. Co-hosted by Derek Hough and Ciara, this year’s show will feature the biggest names in music — Luke Bryan, Khalid, Maren Morris and Brad Paisley — followed by an unparalleled barrage of color, light and sound, live from the Brooklyn Bridge. Viewers can expect more than 70,000 shells, in 28 colors, and effects from the bridge and four nearby barges. To view the 25-minute display,  just tune into our local NBC station, 12 News, stream the show live either on NBCNewYork.com, or use the NBC mobile app by entering your cable provider information. 

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PBS Presents A Capitol Fourth. Tune in to Arizona PBS (8.1) from 7 to 9:30 pm on the 4th of July for a nation-wide celebration of America’s 244th birthday. This all-star salute will feature coverage from 20 cameras positioned around Washington, D.C., ensuring viewers are front and center for the greatest display of fireworks in the nation. For additional Independence-inspired activities, including the American History Quiz and 4th of July coloring pages, streaming fireworks displays, visit PBS.org.

Tour Museums and Historial Locations. While life under quarantine has become challenging in many ways, one thing that has improved for many of us is our access to museums. Institutions from sea to shining sea have thrown open their doors digitally, offering free online looks at their exhibits. This 4th, you can celebrate the holiday by delving deeper into the history of our country with virtual visits to NASA, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, and the Statue of Liberty, among others.

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