Arizona cities exchange fireworks for other showy July Fourth displays

PHOENIX – A few Arizona cities plan to light up the night sky without fireworks to celebrate Independence Day this year.

Flower-shaped flumes shooting flames from the middle of Tempe Town Lake will replace the usual airborne fireworks display on July 3 in Red, White and Floom, the East Valley city said.

Meanwhile, Chandler’s All-American Bash on July 4 will have a five-minute pyrotechnic show as part of a concert instead of fireworks.

Up north, the city of Flagstaff will present Lights on the Lawn, a laser show, on July Fourth.

The free family festival in Tempe is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. with music from country singers Abby and Luke, DJ Soloman and 1980s cover band Rock Lobster.

The flumes, choreographed to music, will go live at about 8:30 p.m. The music will only be loud enough for attendees to hear, the city said.

“We haven’t had the opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate America’s freedom since 2019. While there are supply chain issues with fireworks, we thought trying something new and beautiful, like these flumes, would help get us into the spirit of the holiday,” Jennifer Leon, the city’s special events coordinator said in a press release.

Flames will shoot as high as 30 feet, the city said, and will only be visible from Tempe Beach Park and the north shore areas of Town Lake near the boat beach.

Let’s celebrate freedom together at Tempe Beach Park on July 3. There won’t be fireworks but we will have floating flower flumes that shoot flames 30 feet into the air in time to music. Food, bands, family fun. https://t.co/bXgdmhVUxQ #tempeaz #ourtempe #millave #townlake pic.twitter.com/avyKyurBgt

— City of Tempe, AZ (@Tempegov) June 24, 2022

Chandler’s event begins at 7 p.m. and runs until 9:30 p.m., offering attendees various family-friendly activities, food and beverage vendors, as well as two 60-minute musical sets featuring Cold Shott & the Hurricane Horns.

Flagstaff’s inaugural laser light show caps off four days of holiday festivities at the Continental Country Club and a downtown parade.

The laser show replaces fireworks because of fire concerns.

A wildfire skirted the mountainous city in recent weeks while another burned farther north, prompting hundreds of people to evacuate.

The light show is scheduled to begin July Fourth between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. The multicolored beams will be viewable from 100 feet to 500 feet.

Lights on the Lawn fun includes a kids zone, food and drinks, starting at 3 p.m. General admission is free but VIP tickets are available priced at $125-$150.

Join us on Monday, July 4, for the new laser light show! 🎆

The laser light show will begin between 8:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.

For more information: https://t.co/VNxsrJv81c pic.twitter.com/VafVosKQKR

— City of Flagstaff (@CityofFlagstaff) June 22, 2022

“Expect an awe-inspiring laser show with patriotic music,” Flagstaff tourism director Trace Ward said in a press release.

Organizers recommend arriving at least an hour before the show; blankets and lawn chairs will be allowed.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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