As an addendum to my last post – What This Scottsdale Gal is Doing for the Fourth of July – I wanted to add a couple details I found were missing from the parade’s official site, arcadiaparade.com. I emailed the parade chairperson, Johanna Boslin, and received a very kind response from her. Here, find details on parking, the exact parade route, the potluck breakfast and where Johanna recommends we sit for optimal parade viewing.

Parade Route: The parade route starts and ends at Jokake and Calle Tuberia. It heads west on Calle Tuberia to 58th Street, then south on 58th street (short block) to Calle Del Paisano, east on Calle Del Paisano, short jog to Calle Rosa, continue east to 62nd street, go north to Calle Tuberia (short blocks) then west on Calle Tuberia back to the parade start. It is about a mile for the route.

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Parking: Most of the neighbors know we have a parade that day, and park their cars in the driveways and carport and garages off the street. And most parade participants walk or ride their bikes to the start, so there is not a lot of cars and parking except for the volunteers and sponsors. You should have no problem parking on the streets close by, but we would appreciate no parking on the parade route.

Where to Sit: You will have the best luck for shade on Calle Tuberia, and go to the parade end. The conjestion at Jokake and Calle Tuberia is unbelievable. As a parade watcher, you can probably bring your lawn chairs and sit right on the street.

Potluck Breakfast and Aprés Parade: Please join us after the parade for the potluck breakfast. Safeway provides water and ice, and Bandera’s brings warm cornbread, cookies and ice cold lemonaide, Einstein Bagels gives us bagels, and a lot of neighbors bring homemade everything… Please join us for that and the fire dept. hooking up the hose and cooling everyone off.

A personal post… Knowing all the terrific Independence Day celebration options available to us throughout the state of Arizona, my husband and I have given a lot of thought to how we wanted to spend our holiday. I’d written an earlier post giving Arizona visitors and travelers some 4th of July event ideas, but what was my family going to do? The idea for this blog post was born: What does a Scottsdale resident and mother of a toddler plan to do on the Fourth of July?

We ruled out the Tempe Town Lake Festival (or any fireworks displays) because our 18-month old will never be able to hang out for hours in the heat then stay awake past sunset.

Next we seriously considered driving up to Flagstaff on Thursday night and getting up for their awesome parade on Friday morning; I even found there are still Flagstaff hotels available between $90 and $170/night. The idea only got nixed because on a late Thursday afternoon work obligation that would put us right in the thick of I-17 Northbound holiday traffic, which could get hairy, especially with the current fire conditions around Crown King/Mayer, Arizona.

The potential wildfire and traffic trouble also ruled out our third idea to stay in town for the Fourth but travel up to Prescott for their Frontier Days/World’s Oldest Rodeo Parade on Saturday the 5th. Sigh…

Then, Jackpot! I remembered that our former neighborhood, the popular section of Phoenix known as Arcadia, hosts a charming, old-fashioned Arcadia Fourth of July Parade. A-ha! That’s it! This neighborhood parade, now in its 12th year, features kids, adults and pets in festively decorated cars, strollers, scooters, bikes and tricycles.

Arcadia’s boundaries are roughly 32nd Street on the west, Camelback Road to the north, 68th Street to the east and Thomas Rd to the south. Marked by mid-century architecture, mature trees and green lawns, it’s a favorite Phoenix village that’s been lovingly maintained and respectfully gentrified by Arizona natives and young, affluent families.

So you can bet we’ll be setting up our lawn chairs and blankets along the shady, tree-lined streets of Arcadia at 8:00am. Get maps and more detailed information about the parade, route, and corresponding potluck breakfast at www.arcadiaparade.com. Hope to see you there!

Photo source: arcadiaparade.com

About this time every year, we get dozens of emails asking about what Fourth of July events are happening all around the state of Arizona. Now, most people are looking for fireworks, and we certainly have ‘em. But because of the unusual amount of spring rain and growth we experienced this year, followed by hot, dry summer weather, much of Arizona is under high fire danger, thus making public fireworks displays unsafe. Below, find a comprehensive list of Arizona 4th of July events, listed by region or city.

Northern Arizona – Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Sedona

• Grand Canyon – No fireworks in or around the National Park.
• Williams – just 50 miles directly south of the Grand Canyon South Rim, Williams is home of the Small Town Fourth of July. The celebration on July 4th and will include a fabulous parade, local BBQ, ice cream social and family activities. Enjoy our small town mountain community and spectacular fireworks display. This event is a regional favorite. For more information visit www.williamsfestivals.com/schedule.html. The Williams fireworks are launched from Gonzales Lake but you can park at the baseball field or the elementary school. Take the 2nd Williams exit off Interstate 40 (if coming from Flagstaff… look for the McDonald’s.)
• Flagstaff
  • The 11th Annual Fourth of July Parade in Flagstaff is also a great event every year. Just about 1.5 hours from the South Rim, Flagstaff is one of the largest cities in northern Arizona and is a neat mix of college-town and railroad/Route 66 history. The parade begins at 9:00 am in downtown Flagstaff. Celebrate one of the most spirited community events in Flagstaff. More info, call 928-774-4505.
  • 53rd Annual Coconino County Horse Races happening July 3–8 at Fort Tuthill (exit 337 off I-17.) Live thoroughbred and quarter horse races with full parimutuel wagering. Gates open at 11:00 a.m. For info, call 928-679-8000.
  • Movies on the Square – Just as every Friday night from May to September 2008, lucky July 4th revelers can enjoy The Last Mimzy at sundown. Live entertainment featuring Dave Stilley precedes the show starting at 6 pm. Free! For up to date information on movies and weather updates, call the Movie Hotline (877) MOVIE-19 (877-668-4319).
• Sedona – No fireworks in Sedona. But you can check out the galaxy’s fireworks on a Sedona Astronomy Tour of the Universe with Evening Sky Tours. View Mars, Andromeda, Earth’s moon, spiral galaxies and double stars through their state-of-the-art telescopes. Enjoy an entertaining evening of astronomy under the canopy of Sedona’s brilliant night sky. Professional astronomers guide you through the Universe using large telescopes and laser pointers. View and learn about constellations, planets, galaxies, comets, satellites, and meteors. Your tour guides are knowledgeable professional astronomers. Bring your family for an evening of “edutainment” under Sedona’s gorgeous star-filled dark skies. Sedona is a dark sky city with exceptional conditions for stargazing.
• El Prado Show Introduces the Art of Collecting - El Prado celebrates our Nation’s beginnings by helping you begin your own art collection. On July 4th, El Prado by the Creek starts the “Collector Inauguration” show and features nationally recognized emerging artists and select works from well established artists. On Independence Day, be to discover your personal insight. The “Collector Inauguration” show kicks off with an opening reception on Friday, July 4th from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. with the experienced and friendly art consultants of El Prado by the Creek… more about Fourth of July in Sedona at El Prado Gallery
• Camp Verde – check out our post about Fourth of July events at Cliff Castle Casino
• Laughlin, Nevada – A little out-of-the-box thinking and a short 2.5 drive west from Williams, AZ, this AZ/NV border town and gaming destination features Rockets Over The River. Just after dark on July 4th, see a huge annual firework display over the Colorado River. Rockets Over The River is one of the most spectacular firework displays in the West. Brilliant colors light up the dark desert sky and reflect in the Colorado River below, creating a memorable and dramatic experience. The fireworks show is choreographed to patriotic music that will be simulcast by the Laughlin hotels and radio stations.
• White Mountains Area
  • Sunrise Resort Park – Check out this ski destination in its off season for an archery shoot or scenic ski lift ride. Sunrise Lodge will be open to guests. For reservations, call 800-772-7669 ext 2154
  • Showlow – Annual 4th of July Parade, Deuces Wild Rodeo, Freedom Fest & the best Fireworks display on the mountain. This year’s celebrated theme for the 4th of July is: “Celebrating Our Memories.” Come and experience the perfect weather, beautiful surroundings and local folks that make you feel right at home. Call 1-888-show-low and plan your hot summer in the cool mountains of Arizona.

Central Arizona – Prescott, Phoenix, Scottsdale

• Tempe – The largest fireworks event in the state, the Tempe Town Lake Festival or “Tempe 4th” is an afternoon and evening celebration on Tempe Town Lake. Produced by the Kiwanis Club of Tempe, this huge event at Tempe Beach Park opens at 4pm and will feature live music, family fun, a splash zone, an inflatable village, impressive food court and of course, the 57th Annual SRP Fireworks Spectacular – best fireworks show in the Valley – shot from Mill Avenue bridge. The spectacular family night SRP Fireworks Show will be choreographed to patriotic and classical music.
• Prescott
  • The City of Prescott’s Fourth of July Celebration at Pioneer Park, located off Commerce near Willow Creek Road. Largest fireworks display in the tri-city! Free admission to fireworks. Also, all-day carnival. Includes world’s largest water slide, bungee jumping, climbing walls, pony rides, bumper boats, carnival games, and so much more. Pre-sale carnival wrist bands can be purchased for $12 or at the gate for $15. Live entertainment, contests, give-a-ways, a free craft tent, and great food. The fireworks show begins at 9:00 pm followed by post fireworks entertainment by the band Distant Fury. Park at Embry-Riddle on Willow Creek Road for a free shuttle to Pioneer Park. For more information, call (928) 777-1349.
  • Kiwanis Kiddie Parade – 8:30 Prescott Downtown Square (Added June 30, 2008)
  • World’s Oldest Rodeo – PRCA sanctioned rodeo — 8 performances — 7:30PM June 30 through July 5, PLUS 1:30PM performances on July 4th & 5th only. Entrance fees range from $12 to $22 based on seating options. Visit www.worldsoldestrodeo.com for more information.
  • Frontier Days Parade – Okay, so this event is actually on Saturday, July 5, 2008, but it is the second largest parade in the state (second only to the annual Fiesta Bowl Parade.) Join thousands of spectators in downtown Prescott, starting at 9:00 am. (Added June 30, 2008)
• Scottsdale – Scottsdale’s July 4th Family Barbecue at Scottsdale Stadium will hit the coals from 5 to 7:30 p.m on July 4th. Scottsdale Stadium is located at Osborn and Drinkwater/74th Street in Old Town. Activities include free hot dogs, watermelon eating contest, potato sack races, tug-o-war competition, music and arts and crafts. Pictures/cards will be made for soldiers oversees. Barbecue grills will be provided and families are encouraged to bring food to cook up and eat at this community picnic. Admission and parking are free. Call 480-312-2771 for information.
• Phoenix – Fabulous Phoenix Fourth is the largest free fireworks event in the state. Come down to Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Rd. in Phoenix. Local entertainment and a Kids’ Zone will offer rides and other entertainment. Expect large crowds and be sure to bring your blanket, lawn chairs and coolers. The Fabulous Fireworks start sparking at approximately 9:15 pm.

If you have additional events to share, please feel free to post them in our comments!

Because of the risk of fire danger, Northern Arizona cities like Flagstaff and Camp Verde typically do not offer a fireworks display on the Fourth of July.  But that doesn’t mean the area doesn’t offer visitors and locals a sparkling alternative to celebrate Independence Day.  Cliff Castle Casino, a gaming and entertainment destination located in Camp Verde, has planned July 4th events and promotions you won’t mind staying indoors for.

July 4th – Clint Black Concert

Sparks will fly on the Fourth of July at Cliff Castle Casino’s Stargazer Pavilion when Clint Black takes the stage. With more than a dozen number one hits including Killin’ Time and Nothin’ But The Taillights, Clint Black has entertained audiences with the finest in Country music for nearly 20 years.

Doors will open at 6pm. Special guest Amy Scruggs to open the show at 7:30pm. For this special event, the Stargazer Pavilion will have general admission seating for $35. Tickets are on sale now, and may be purchased in advance by calling the Castle Club at (928) 567-7999.

July 4-7, 2008 – Coconino County Horse Races

Cliff Castle Casino is off to the races again as Title Sponsors of the 53rd Annual Coconino County Horse Races at Fort Tuthill Downs July 4-7. With six to nine races of full pari-mutuel wagering featuring quarterhorses and thoroughbreds, Coconino County holds the only horse race event in Arizona for the 4th of July. Dark days – simulcast betting on July 3 and 8. Gates open at 11am – daily post time is 1pm. Take Interstate 17 to Flagstaff, exit 337, and follow the signs to Fort Tuthill Downs. For complete details, contact the Track Office at (928) 779-2293.

More gaming promotions, restaurant specials and entertainment events are going on all summer at Cliff Castle Casino.  Check out www.cliffcastlecasino.net for more information.

Paul from Prescottstyle reached out to us at Prescott.com and I’m glad he did. He’s got some great photos and artwork representing Whiskey Row, the Palace Building, and special downtown events like the Christmas and Fourth of July parades and Halloween in Prescott, Arizona.