It's easy to understand why so many July Fourth celebrations occur in the evening in Tucson: During the day, it's all red heat and white light, and that makes us blue. As evening gives way to (slightly) cooler temperatures, however, we have expectations. We want our fireworks.
And we'll have them. Plenty of celebrations both in and out of Tucson have confirmed fireworks displays. For those who have canceled them, either by county mandate or in deference to these dry, dry conditions, we applaud the donning of creative caps that resulted in last-minute shifts to laser-light shows. (With changes happening up to press time, it might be a good idea to call ahead.)
As usual, we have an array of ways to meditate on independence from taxation without representation - or, at least, to support America's favorite couple, barbecue and beer.
From the 27th annual Let Freedom Sing concert to a 5K run, country crooner Tracy Lawrence to the Tucson Padres, we have options. Some of which even (gasp) start before the sun goes to bed.
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EVENTS
July 1-4
"The Fireside Chats with FDR" - The Comedy Playhouse, 3620 N. First Ave. Playwright James Gooden reprises his portrayal of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. $18, $16 for students and seniors. 7:30 Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday-Monday. 260-6442 or online at thecomedyplayhouse.com.
JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort - 3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd. Activities for guests go on all weekend, including fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Friday and 9 p.m. Sunday. Special overnight packages available. 792-3500.
Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort - 10000 N. Oracle Road. Events (watermelon eating contests, dive-in movies at night, live music) for resort guests occur all weekend. Sunday, a barbecue buffet ($40 general, $27 for guests) will be served at the Last Territory Steak House from 5:30-9 p.m., with live music on the Pusch Ridge Golf Course throughout the night and, at 9 p.m., a 30-minute laser-light show. 544-5000.
July 1
Friday Night Live! - St. Philip's Plaza, southeast corner of River Road and Campbell Avenue. Red-white-and-blue clowns, a chalk artist drawing a large American flag, activities in the courtyard and merchants offering patriotic-themed cupcakes, cookies, iced tea and wine. Free. 4:30-7:30 p.m. 529-2775.
July 2
KIIM-FM Freedom Fest - Kino Sports Complex, 2500 E. Ajo Way. Tracy Lawrence headlines the annual fest, with Neil Russell, Ash Bowers, Steve Holy and Sunny Sweeney. $20-$40 through Friday at Catalina Mart, $30-$55 at the gate; $75 VIP. 3 p.m.; fireworks around 10:15 p.m. Information online at kiimfm.com.
July 3
Red, White & Boom! - Pima County Fairgrounds, 11300 S. Houghton Road. With Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, Calexico and Savor (Santana tribute), plus food and a laser-light show. Free tickets at Tucson College and Naughtons Plumbing, Heating and Cooling. Gates open at 5 p.m. Information online at klpx.com.
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain - 15000 N. Secret Springs Drive. Barbecue buffet plus live entertainment and a laser-light show. 6 p.m. $38 adults, $18 children; free for laser-light show only, at 8:45. 572-3000.
Loews Ventana Canyon - 7000 N. Resort Drive. The festivities include a barbecue, carnival games and a live band. $35, $18 for ages 5-12; holiday room rates start at $109 and include numerous activities. 6:30-9:30 p.m. 299-2020 or online at loewshotels.com.
Casino del Sol - 5655 W. Valencia Road. A fireworks display followed by lighting the copper dome at the top of the hotel tower. Inside, live music in the Paradiso lounge. Free. 8 p.m. 1-800-344-9435.
Desert Diamond Casino -1100 W. Pima Mine Road. It's an outdoor barbecue, with eats, root-beer floats and other refreshments for purchase. Fireworks and music from country-rock group the John Eric Band. Free. 5:30-8:30 p.m. 294-7777.
July 4
Tucson Padres game and fireworks - Kino Veterans Memorial Stadium, 2500 E. Ajo Way. The Tucson Padres take on the Reno Aces. A fireworks display follows. $6.50-$10.50. 7 p.m. 434-1367.
Star-Spangled Spectacular - Arizona Pavilions District, Interstate 10 and Cortaro Road in Marana. Fireworks, activities for kids, live music and a beer garden. Free. 6-10 p.m. 382-1946 or online at marana.com.
Freedom 5K - Golf Links Sports Complex, 2400 S. Craycroft Road. 5K run/walk and 1-mile fun run, benefiting Kick Cancer for Stephen Foundation. $25, $15 for ages 17 and younger. Fun run at 6 a.m., 5K at 6:30. Information online at taggrun.com.
"Team America: World Police" Sing-along and Curse-athon -Â Loft Cinema, 3233 E. Speedway. The annual screening of Matt Stone and Trey Parker's take on freedom, with puppets and lots of cursing. 6 p.m. $8. (Also: at noon, a screening of the 1949 World War II film "Battleground," $6.) 795-7777.
Fourth of July Spectacular - Oro Valley Municipal Pool, 23 W. Calle Concordia. Cool off with a splash contest, races, inner tube water polo, water basketball, watermelon relays and other pool games. Lunch will be served. $2. Noon-3 p.m.
Let Freedom Sing - UA Centennial Hall, 1020 E. University Blvd. The 27th annual concert features the Arts Express Choir and Orchestra performing such patriotic standards as "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "America the Beautiful." Free, though a ticket is required. 3 p.m. 319-0400; online at arts-express.org
"A" Mountain fireworks - Tucson Convention Center parking lot, 260 S. Church Ave. Before the fireworks, the convention center is the host of a pre-show with vendors (including hamburgers, ice cream and a beer garden) and cars from the Southern Arizona Mustang Club. Free. 7 p.m. Fireworks at 9:15.
"A" Mountain fireworks viewing party - If you're affiliated with the UA, or are friends with someone who is, get a great view of the fireworks from atop the Sixth Street, Tyndall Avenue, Main Gate, Park Avenue, and Highland Avenue parking garages. Free. Garages open at 6 p.m. 621-3300.
Freedom Ride - Starts on the east side of the Tucson Convention Center, 260 S. Church Ave. This fun ride, benefiting El Groupo Youth Cycling, covers 28 miles. $15, $10 ages 10-18, $5 GABA members. 6:30 a.m. 747-2544.
DINING
Cayton's, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain - 15000 N. Secret Springs Drive. Two-course brunch menu and dessert buffet. $50 adults, $25 children. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. 572-3530.
CataVinos - 3063 N. Alvernon Way. The wine shop is offering tastings of "Sparklers," wines that work with barbecue and otherwise add shine to a celebration. Six wines for $10. 4-8 p.m. today-Saturday. 323-3063.
Chad's Steakhouse & Saloon - 3001 N. Swan Road. Specials include a prime rib sandwich ($6.95, lunch only) and top sirloin entree with sides ($13.95). 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday. 881-1802.
Core Kitchen & Wine Bar, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain - 15000 N. Secret Springs Drive. Three- or four-course, Ã la carte menu. $65-$75, $30 children. 5:30-9 p.m. Friday-Sunday. 572-3000.
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill - La Encantada, 2905 E. Skyline Drive. Dine-in or takeout specials of two 6-ounce barbecue chicken breasts ($11), full rack of ribs ($15), 10 smoked or barbecue chicken wings ($11); all include cider slaw, baked beans and bread. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday. 577-0747
Lodge on the Desert - 306 N. Alvernon Way. The restaurant offers an American Kobe beef hot dog done Chicago-, Tucson-, New York- or Kansas City-style. Drink specials available. $11.95. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday. 320-2000.
O'Shaughnessy's SteakHouse & Piano Bar - 2200 N. Camino Principal. The Fourth of July Musical Extravaganza includes about every patriotic song there is, performed on piano and by the singing waitstaff. A good portion of menu items - steak, pork, seafood, pastas and more - are offered two for $17.76, and you'll eat amid red, white and blue decorations. 5:30 p.m. Saturday-Monday. 296-7464.
OUT OF TOWN
Benson
Lions Park - 435 N. Adams St. Things start with a parade, followed by an annual Fire Department water fight. Plenty of family activities follow, including jumping castles, music and fireworks. Free. 9 a.m. Monday.
Casa Grande
Paul Mason Sportsplex - 2525 N. Rodeo Road. Relay races, music, games, food and, around 9 p.m., a fireworks display that should last about 40 minutes. Free. 7-10 p.m. Monday. 1-520-421-8677.
Green Valley
Quail Creek Resort Community - 1100 N. Eagle Hollow Road. Color-guard ceremonies, followed by a parade of decorated golf carts, antique cars and bicycles. Free. 8 a.m. Monday. 1-888-648-0332.
Patagonia
Richardson Town Park - On Arizona Route 82. The celebration starts with a parade, followed by music, food and vendors in the park all day. Things move to Patagonia Union High School for 8 p.m. fireworks. Free. 11 a.m. Monday. 1-888-794-0060.
Peoria
Peoria Sports Complex - 16101 N. 83rd Ave. This 28th annual July Fourth celebration includes entertainment on multiple stages, a hot-dog-eating contest, beer and other concessions, plenty of family-friendly activities and fireworks. $5. 5-10 p.m. Monday. 1-623-773-8700.
Phoenix
Maryvale Baseball Park - 3600 N. 51st Ave. Light Up the Sky has fireworks, inflatable rides, food for purchase and more. Free. 7 p.m. Friday. 1-602-262-6575.
Steele Indian School Park - 300 E. Indian School Road. The annual Freedom Wireless Fabulous Phoenix Fourth claims its largest fireworks display yet, three entertainment stages and something called Hurricane Beach for cooling off. Free. 6-10 p.m. Monday. Information online at phoenix.gov.
Scottsdale
Independence Day Music Festival - Salt River Fields, 7555 N. Pima Road. Blake Shelton headlines, followed by fireworks. $18.50-$92. 5 p.m. Sunday. 1-480-270-5000.
Sierra Vista
Veterans Memorial Park - 3105 E. Fry Blvd. Sunday's festivities include a youth talent show and street dance. Monday starts with a pet promenade and includes military displays, food and crafts vendors, and live entertainment. Free. 5:30-11 p.m. Sunday, 7:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Monday. 1-520-417-6960.
Tempe
Tempe Town Lake Festival - Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway. With live music, a food court, family activities (inflatable rides, rock-climbing walls) and fireworks. $6 in advance at Fry's, $8 at the gate; free for ages 12 and younger. 4-10 p.m. Monday. 1-480-350-5189 or online at tempe4th.com.
Tubac
Tubac Presidio State Historic Park - 1 Burrel St. A daytime event with games for kids, a dunk tank, free hot dogs and watermelon, and a "squirt down" courtesy of the Tubac Fire Department. 10 a.m.-noon Monday. 1-520-398-2704 or online at tubacaz.com.
Tubac Golf Resort & Spa - 1 Avenue de Otero Road. Family activities, food vendors, face painting, entertainment and fireworks (at 8:45 p.m.). VIP packages with dinner available. $7 parking. 4 p.m. Monday. 1-520-398-2211 or online at tubacgolfresort.com.
Why
Desert Diamond Casino - Highway 86, Milepost 55. Complimentary hamburgers, hot dogs and soft drinks, and music from Desert Spirit; 6-7:30 p.m. Friday. T-shirt and other giveaways, while supplies last; 3 p.m. Saturday and noon Monday. 1-520-547-4306.
