Independance Day Weekend in Arizona

by Nick Coons
Jun 30, 2004

Fireworks displays are afoot and parties are all over the place. In most places in the valley, you’ll be able to step outside your house and see fireworks in at least one direction. Festivities include displays at MCC, the Tempe Town Lake, and in south Chandler. It’s a great time to have fun, break out the barbeques, and have the friends over.

I remember a couple of years back when they first began display fireworks at the Tempe Town Lake. Parking was crowded, and even along the shore of the lake it was difficult to find a place to walk, let alone sit and enjoy. It was an unorganized mess, or an organized mess, however you’d like to look at it. But if you like crowds of people, refreshments, music, and a light show, then this was the place to be.

Even prior to that, the first time I can remember seeing fireworks was our family’s annual visit to MCC to sit out on the lawn and watch the display. Obviously, being young at that point, I don’t remember if this is something we did only once or many times throughout the years, but it sure seems like it was a recurring event.

If I remember correctly, my family went to a location in west Tempe one time, and one of my siblings sat in the wrong place and ended up being covered by ants before she knew was had even happened. I don’t think we went back there.

In more recent years, I haven’t been too fond of making an event of watching fireworks. The news televises much if not all of the display, and there is no parking to pay and no crowds to shove your way through.

Whichever way you choose, just make sure you enjoy your Independence Day weekend safely!