Fireworks to light up East Valley skies

Bright, colorful aerial fireworks displays will be seen throughout the East Valley sky on Saturday, as communities celebrate the Fourth of July with lots of family activities and musical entertainment.

This annual holiday commemorates the formal adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia. Independence Day was declared a legal holiday in 1941.

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Celebrate life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness by enjoying the pyrotechnics at these East Valley events:

Although the annual Fourth of July event at Mesa Community College has been canceled this year, there will still be fireworks in Mesa.

Living Word Bible Church, which has hosted fireworks in the past, will host the Fourth of July fireworks celebration this year. The festivities will begin at 5 p.m., with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Saturday, at the Mesa church, 3520 E. Brown Road. The event and parking is free.

"Fourth of July is the most important day to celebrate our independence for our country," said Dionne D. Hutchins, the church's volunteer marketing specialist.

There will be an indoor barbecue, games, entertainment and a patriotic show. Families can watch the fireworks outside while sitting on the church's greenbelt.

For information, call (480) 964-4463 or visit www.livingwordonline.org.

The Fourth of July event at MCC was canceled this year because the Sertoma Club, which has sponsored the annual tradition since 1960, was not able to get the $35,000 through sponsorships needed for the event. The night typically drew 10,000 to 15,000 visitors.

Chandler's Fourth of July 7-Up Fireworks Spectacular begins at 4 p.m., with fireworks at 9:30 p.m., Saturday at Tumbleweed Park, southwest corner of McQueen and Germann roads. Admission is free, but parking is $5.

There will be live music, featuring Plastic Gladys at 6:30 p.m. and Panhead Ronnie at 8:30 p.m., a free kids carnival, a bike parade, a classic car display, and food and beverage vendors. Activities include a 35-foot water slide, a rock climbing wall, a dunk tank, and assorted water games and interactive amusements for kids.

The Cactus Bike Push, Pull, Peddle Parade will be at 6 p.m., with each registrant receiving a free gift. The participant with the bike that is decorated best will win a Harro children's bike. Participants can register for the free parade through Friday at any Cactus Bike location, or at the park from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday. For bike parade details, call Cactus Bike at (480) 782-5483.

The Fireworks Spectacular event is presented by Chandler Lions Club and the city of Chandler.

For information, call (480) 236-9123 or visit www.chandleraz.gov.

Gilbert's Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration begins at 4 p.m., with fireworks at 9 p.m., Saturday, at Mesquite High School, 500 S. McQueen Road. Admission is free, but parking is $5.

Gilbert's celebration will feature contests, games, inflatables for the kids, community exhibits and food and beverage vendors. This is an alcohol- and tobacco-free event.

The night is hosted by the Gilbert Promotional Corporation and the town of Gilbert.

For information, visit www.gilbertpromotionalcorp.org/events/4thofjuly.htm.

Queen Creek's annual Fourth of July Fireworks celebration begins at 5 p.m., with fireworks at 9 p.m., Saturday, at Schnepf Farms, 24810 S. Rittenhouse Road. Admission is free, but parking is $10.

Queen Creek's celebration will feature hay rides, pony rides, water slides, other kid activities, and food and beverage vendors. The wristband is $10 for kids activities.

The night is hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Queen Creek.

For information, visit www.schnepffarms.com.

Rawhide Western Town at Wild Horse Pass' July Fourth "A Star Spangled Shoot Out!" begins at 5:30 p.m., with fireworks at 9:30 p.m., Saturday at Rawhide, 5700 W. North Loop Road on the Gila River Indian Community near Chandler. Admission is $10. Kids 5 and younger are free. Parking is free.

Celebrate American independence western style with cowboys, gunfights, food, live music and face painting.

For information, visit www.rawhide.com.

Tempe's 58th annual CBS 5 July Fourth Tempe Town Lake Festival begins at 4 p.m., with fireworks at 9 p.m., Saturday at Tempe Beach Park, 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway.

Children 12 and younger and current military members with military ID card receive free admission. Advance $5 tickets are available at five Tempe locations until Friday, and $6 tickets are available at Fry's stores. On Saturday, adult tickets are $8, or two for $15, at the gate. Parking is available throughout Tempe at various prices.

All ages can celebrate the holiday with live local musical entertainment, a splash zone, kids activities and games, rock climbing walls, inflatables, face painters, and food and beverage vendors. The fireworks show will be choreographed to patriotic and classical music, and the fireworks will be launched from the Mill Avenue Bridge.

The event is produced by the Kiwanis Club of Tempe.

For information, call (480) 350-5189 or visit www.tempe4th.com.

Apache Junction's Fourth of July fireworks celebration begins at 6 p.m., with fireworks at 9 p.m., Saturday at Apache Junction High School, 2525 S. Ironwood Drive. Admission and parking is free. There will be free watermelon, kids activities, races, games, and a bicycle, tricycle and wagon-decorating contest. Jann & the Moondoggs will perform at the high school stadium.

For information, call (480) 983-2181.