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Ahwatukee festival relocated
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For nearly 25 years, Ahwatukee Foothills residents enjoyed their July 4 fireworks from the comfort of their homes or, in recent years, they would venture to nearby Mountain Vista Park to watch the show.
But the annual Red, White & Boom! fireworks celebration will move three miles south this year to Rawhide at Wild Horse Pass, which moved from its longtime Scottsdale home last year.
The Ahwatukee Foothills Chamber of Commerce, which has put on the event for seven years, blamed ever-increasing attendance and expenses and “minimal support from the community” for the decision to partner with Rawhide.
The event typically cost nearly $35,000, and the chamber depends on sponsors. The chamber came a few thousand dollars short in 2004, and organizers seriously considered canceling altogether last year until some last minute sponsors were found.
The chamber has received “a few calls and a few e-mails” from residents upset they won’t be able to watch fireworks from their backyards, chamber president John McComish said.
Amy Wood, who ives near the park, said, “They shouldn’t move it out of the community to another community,” she said.
Celebration
What: Red, White & Boom! fireworks celebration
Where: Rawhide at Wild Horse Pass
Cost: Admission to the park and the aerial fireworks display is free. Tickets to the arena fireworks display is $5 for adults, $2 for children 5 to 13 and children under 5 are free.
Time: Gates open at 4 p.m.; arena gates open at 6:45 for the 8:30 ground fireworks show; Aerial fireworks will begin at 9:05.
Directions: Take Interstate 10 south to Wild Horse Pass Boulevard then head west and follow the signs.
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