Celebrate July 4 with events around Arizona

Break out your red, white and blue and celebrate Independence Day with some of these great patriotic events around the Valley.

Apache Junction

July 4 family fun starts at 8 a.m. at Superstition Shadows Aquatic Center. Aside from public swimming from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with fun games, races, prizes and obstacle courses for children 5 and older, there will be an adult co-ed volleyball tournament. At 6 p.m. at Apache Junction High School, kids can decorate their bicycles and wagons for a fun, patriotic contest. Afterwards, kids can enjoy bouncy houses, water slides and other activities, all benefiting local non-profit organizations. Big Zephyr will be performing a special classic rock concert from 7 to 9 p.m., followed by a fireworks show. Food and drinks will be available. There will be nominal fees for food and games as well as for admission to the volleyball tournament. For more information, call 480-983-2181 or visit their website.

Buckeye

Come enjoy a traditional after-dark celebration in Buckeye with a fireworks display, games, activities and concessions. The festivities will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Youngker High School. Admission is free for this event. For more information, call 623-349-6313 or visit their website.

Cave Creek

Cave Creek Smokehouse and Pour House Patio is sponsoring a special celebration from 6 to 10 p.m. Have dinner in the main dining room or indulge in barbecue pulled-pork outside. DJ Dex will be providing music for the event outside in Frontier Town and Dan Emery will be performing at the Pour House. A display of fireworks is set to begin at dusk. Admission is free, but opting for outdoor barbecue is $5. For more information, call 480-488-3317 or visit their website.

Chandler

Stake your claim at Tumbleweed Park on the southwest corner of McQueen Road and Germann Road for an afternoon full of fun. Register from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for the push, pull or pedal bike parade that will take place at 6 p.m. Conclude the evening with a special fireworks show that will begin at 9:30 p.m. For more information, visit their website.

Rawhide Roundup Steakhouse is celebrating the All-American, western way! Enjoy "A Star Spangled Shoot Out!" from 5 to 10 p.m. including performances, fireworks, balloon animals, music and more. For more information, visit their website.

Flagstaff

Flagstaff is hosting a special parade to commemorate Independence Day and Arizona's Centennial. The parade begins at 9 a.m. at Beaver Street and Elm Avenue. For parade route information or to register to be in the parade, visit their website.

Flagstaff Mall's Annual Sidewalk Sale and Firework Show is a fun way to beat the heat, find great bargains and see a spectacular fireworks display. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. retailers at the mall will be hosting special sales while you wait for the 9 p.m. fireworks show held right behind the mall. For more information, visit their website.

Fountain Hills

The "Fourth at the Fountain" festivities include a beer garden run by VFW post 7507, a night time skydiving/parachute jump, music including the Ageing Hipsters and t he AZ Blues Project, a bounce house, rock climbing wall, hotdog eating contest and much more. The event runs from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Admission is $5.

Glendale

Glendale will celebrate Independence Day early this year with a patriotic-themed concert. The Glendale Summer Band Concert Series is a long-time tradition, with more than 100 musicians of all ages. This free concert is fun for the whole family! The concert will be held Thursday, June 28 in Historic Downtown Glendale at the Murphy Park Amphitheater. The music will start at 8 p.m.

Gilbert

From 6 to 9 p.m. at the Fire in the Sky celebration, snack on traditional American snacks like hot dogs, kettle corn, pretzels, nachos and snow cones as you wait for the fireworks show that is set to begin at 8:30 p.m. Viewing locations for the fireworks display are the Campo Verde High School and Gilbert Soccer Complex. The Central Christian Church of the East Valley is also taking donations to fight hunger in Arizona. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. For more information, call 480-305-7500 or visit their website.

Gila Bend

Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa is offering a VIP package with a guestroom and block-party entry for two adults and two children. There will be a special acoustic performance by Aaron White and a fireworks show. To make a reservation, use the code “JULY12” online or by phone. Rooms are $129 for July 4 and additional nights are $109. For more information, call 602-225-0100 or visit their website.

Glendale

Wet’ n’ Wild Phoenix is holding a patriotic celebration for park guests including all-you-can-eat barbecue from 7 to 8:30 p.m., a fireworks display, and all rides and attractions will be open. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Admission is between $29.99 and $26.99 and children age 2 and younger get in for free. The barbecue buffet is available for $11.99. For more information,

call 623-201-2000 or visit their website.

Greer

Enjoy an old-fashioned, red, white and blue celebration complete with a parade, miniature donkeys and a barbecue lunch by the pond. Festivities are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cabins are available at Hidden Meadow Ranch for $675 per night. For more information, call 866-333-4080 or visit their website.

Lake Havasu City

Come early to get your perfect spot in the park, on the beach or wherever you see fit to watch the fireworks show over Thompson Bay. Fireworks will be held at Rotary Park at 9 p.m. For more information, visit their website.

Page

AZ Pyro promises the largest fireworks show in Northern Arizona, presenting a display of over 1,766 fireworks shells that can be seen from the entire city of Page, as well as on the water of Lake Powell. The fireworks show will be held at 9 p.m and will be launched from the Lake Powell National Golf Course. For prime viewing locations and more information, visit their website.

Payson

Payson's Hometown Celebration begins bright and early with an 8 a.m. patriotic salute to the men and women who have served our country. From 1 to 4 p.m., there will be a variety of fun games for kids and the 3rd Annual Payson, Arizona Foot Races. From 7 to 9 p.m., live music by Phoenix-based rock band, the Technicolors will kick off the fireworks show beginning at 9 p.m. For more information, visit their website.

Peoria

Peoria Sports Complex is holding an All-American Festival from 5 to 10 p.m. Kids can enjoy bouncy houses, face painting, rock wall climbing and water zones. There will also be live entertainment by Chevellon on the country stage, Radio Disney on the kid’s stage, and to-be-announced rock music. Complete the evening with an F-16 flyover at around 7 p.m. and a fireworks display. Admission is $5 for kids younger than 12 years old. For more information, call 623-773-8720 or visit their website.

Phoenix Metro

Head over to Steele Indian School Park for the Freedom Wireless Foundation celebration, kicking off the biggest fireworks show and F-16 flyover in 26 years. The event starts at 6 p.m. Admission is free, but parking is limited. Food and drink prices vary. Call 602-534-3378 or visit their website for more information.

Enjoy an in-depth look at the Musical Instrument Museum galleries with a “World of Musical Journeys” tour. Tours at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on July 4 are available only to the first 40 guests. Tickets are free with museum admission. For more information, call 480-478-6000 or visit their website .

Enjoy Hollywood and Wine in the Baltimore ballroom with country music star Clint Black. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the all-ages show. General admission tickets start at $30, but special tableside seating and meet-and-greet tickets are available. For more information, call 603-995- 6600 or visit their website.

Take the entire family for fun at the 4th of Zoo-ly celebration! From 7 to 10 p.m., enjoy a barbecue dinner, carousel rides and other fun events for kids! Alcohol will be available for adults during the fireworks show. Make reservations online or by phone at 602-914-4333. Tickets are between $35-$40 and children 2 and younger get in for free. For more information, visit their website.

Prescott

The 4th of July Extravaganza 2012 will be a fun all-day event for the entire family. Beginning at noon, enjoy a carnival, zip-line, bungee trampolines, water slides, climbing walls, swings, zorbs and much more. There will be contests, face-painting, craft tents and live entertainment. The fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. Admission to the event is between $12 and $15. For more information, call 928-777-1349 or visit their website.

San Luis

Celebrate the holiday with one of the 'best fireworks shows in the southwest' from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. There will be a variety of live music after the fireworks show. Festivities will be held at Joe Orduño Park. For more information, visit their website.

Scottsdale

Looking for a laid-back family event this holiday? Celebrate our nation’s freedom at Mescal Park with the ninth annual parade of wagons, bikes, golf carts, tractors, animals and everything in between. Festivities begin at 7:30 a.m. for more information, call 602-570-0303 or visit their website.

Starting at noon, DJ  Morgan Page will be on deck at the WET Deck to kick off the event. A fireworks show will begin after dark. W Scottsdale Hotels and Residences are offering a special holiday package- a minimum two-nights stay with tickets to the 4th of July party, a VIP lanyard per bed, and a meet-and-greet opportunity with Morgan Page before the performance. The package starts at $289. For more information, call 480-970-2109 or visit their website.

Scottsdale Gun Club is offering free rental of machine guns on July 4 only. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., all you have to do is purchase ammo. For more information, visit their website.

Surprise

The City of Surprise is hosting its 30th annual holiday event at the Surprise Recreation Center