As my first Independence Day in this lovely desert approaches, I got to wondering what Phoenix has to offer on this most patriotic of days.
In Washington, D.C., the Fourth of July is simultaneously one of the best and worst days of the year. The city has festivals, concerts, parades, and the nation’s best fireworks. It also has an overwhelming number of tourists, overcrowding of metro trains and stations, road closures, and humidity of about 1776%.
After a quick search, I was delighted to find that not only is Phoenix very into Independence Day but the options are too numerous to count! Here, the fireworks start a day early with the Light Up The Sky Fireworks Event at American Family Fields of Phoenix and continue on the Fourth at the Light Up the Sky Independence Day Celebration at the Phoenix Raceway and Fabulous Phoenix 4th at Steele Indian School Park, among other shows throughout the city.
There is a parade and celebration in the Royal Palm neighborhood from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. on July 4 that will include a bike parade, vendors, and even a pie-eating contest. For some equally wholesome fun, there’s the Hometown 4th at Schnepf Farms featuring food trucks, live music, fireworks, and more.
If something reserved just for adults is more your style, Phoenix’s oldest speakeasy, Melinda’s Alley, is having a live concert. Many of the area’s hotels and resorts are also having fantastic events. If you’re a suburban dweller, there are many options in the surrounding ZIP Codes as well. And these are just the tip of the sandberg!
There seem to be just as many, if not more, Independence Day options in Phoenix. In D.C., the big event is fireworks on the mall. D.C.’s fireworks display, which is typically broadcast nationwide, is a truly stunning show featuring the latest in firework technology lighting up our nation’s monuments and memorials.
The big decision is where to watch.
Since the city codes don’t allow buildings taller than 12 stories, you can see the display from many areas in D.C. and the surrounding suburbs in Maryland and Virginia. If you’re on a rooftop, you might even see the shows from one or more nearby municipalities while the main show is happening.
The Fourth in our nation’s capital is something I know I’ll miss. But I’m looking forward to my first Wild West Independence Day and I can’t wait to experience all the city has to offer. The desert backdrop is sure to be an exciting change for this new Phoenician.
