There’s lot’s of activities happening for the celebration…Here’s a good list of what’s going on around the Phoenix area. Info courtesy of AZCentral.com
Fourth of Zoo-Ly: 6-10 p.m. Enjoy a barbecue dinner on the zoo’s lakeside lawn, free carousel rides and access to Stingray Bay. Face painting, bounce houses and special guests and music are planned. Get a VIP view of the fireworks at Tempe Town Lake at 9 p.m., and cool treats will be served. Beer and wine are available. Reservations required. $40, $35 for ages 3-12, free for age 2 and younger. Phoenix Zoo, 455 N. Galvin Parkway. 602-273-1341, www.phoenixzoo.org.
Tempe Town Lake Festival: 4 p.m. Bring blankets and chairs, grab a spot on the lawn and hear bands perform rock, folk, pop and country music. Kids activities include bounce houses, rock walls, face painting and relay races. VIP packages including misted seating, a barbecue dinner and two drink tickets are available. Fireworks are choreographed to patriotic and classical music. Food for sale includes hamburgers, hot dogs, roasted corn, fry bread and snow cones. Tickets available at Valley Fry’s Food Stores and various city of Tempe locations. $30-$60 VIP barbecue, $15 for two in advance, $8 for one at the gate, $6 in advance, $5 at city of Tempe locations, free for age 12 and younger and those with current military ID. Tempe Town Lake, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway. 480-350-5189, www.tempe4th.com.
Freedom Wireless Fabulous Phoenix Fourth: 6 p.m. The patriotic program includes an F-16 flyover. Entertainers perform on three stages. More than 50 booths include food and beverage vendors and community displays. A kids zone offers inflatables and activities. Fireworks wrap up the evening. Free. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 602-262-6412.
Fire in the Sky: 7-9 p.m. A fireworks show is accompanied by a tailgate and lawn party. Spectators are asked to donate canned or non-perishable food items. Bring blankets, lawn chairs and food. Text “Fireworks” to 83990 or see website for details. Free.
Freedom Parade: 8 a.m. Decorate a bike, stroller, skateboard, golf carts, wagons and even your pets and yourself to join this neighborhood parade or come out to watch the half-hour march. After the parade, participate in a red, white and blue contest to win prizes and compete in a water balloon toss. Meet at 7:30 a.m. Donations go to Packages From Home, which sends care and comfort packages to deployed American military personnel. Free, donations accepted. Mescal Park, 11015 N. 68th St., Scottsdale. 602-570-0303.
2011 Chandler 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular: 4-10:30 p.m. Activities include a kids carnival, dunk tank, 35-foot water slide, water-balloon wars, 24-foot rock climbing wall and games. A push, pull, pedal and bicycle parade is featured at 6 p.m. Live music is performed beginning at 7 p.m. A fireworks show begins at 9:30 p.m. Food and beverage vendors are on-site. Presented by the Chandler Lions Club and the city of Chandler. $5 parking, free admission. Tumbleweed Park, 2250 S. McQueen Road. 480-236-9123.
