TEMPE, AZ — Downtown Tempe's annual New Year's Eve fireworks show has been canceled, but do not fret; the parties at the bars and restaurants along Mill Avenue will still go on as planned.
"Due to unforeseen circumstances on the Hayden Butte - aka "A Mountain", it has been determined that it is too dry and therefore unsafe to launch fireworks," read a statement on the Downtown Tempe Authority's website.
The five-minute show was sponsored this year by Tempe-based Pedal Haus Brewery.
According to a tweet from Tempe Councilman Kolby Granville, reportedly citing an email from Kate Borders, the executive director of the Downtown Tempe Authority, there was more brush on the Hayden Butte this year and structures that were used to launch the fireworks in previous years have been removed.
No New Year fireworks in #Tempe this year. pic.twitter.com/SzAiDtdqAk
— Kolby Granville (@kolbyg) December 22, 2018
"There are alternative fireworks locations that could be considered for future opportunities," said Interim Assistant Fire Chief Andrea Glass. "We could resume New Year's Eve fireworks at one of these other locations in the future but health and safety for our whole community and our environment has to come first."
Many bars along Mill Avenue are hosting New Year's Eve parties, including Low Key Piano Bar, Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row, El Hefe, Varsity Tavern, Rodeo Ranch, and Fat Tuesday. Find more NYE celebrations around the Valley.
