Four Peaks steps in to save Tempe’s New Year’s Eve fireworks show

PHOENIX — Tempe was not planning to have fireworks during its scaled-back New Year’s Eve celebration this year.

But a local business stepped in to fill the void and the display is back on.

In a press release, Four Peaks Brewing Company said it had reached an agreement to provide the funds for the fireworks after the city council approached the owners.

“We’re doing it,” owner Jim Scussel said. “We’re please that Four Peaks can bring back the tradition of fireworks over Mill on New Year’s Eve.”

Scussel said funding the fireworks show is a great way for the business and his family to pay back residents of the city who have patronized the brewery for 20 years.

“I think it would be in our best interest to kind of bring New Year’s Eve back to Tempe kind of like what is was back in the old days,” he said.

The fireworks were scheduled to go off at midnight, according to party organizers.

The Fiesta Bowl used to organize the downtown Tempe festivities, but has stopped planning the event because the game was moved to University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

After it was left to individual businesses to team up and plan the event, funding dropped off. The former Mill Avenue Block Party, which once saw crowds of 100,000, is expected to draw 20,000-30,000 this year.

This story was originally posted Dec. 15.

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