Tempe and Phoenix 4th of July Fireworks

** Update: Information for Phoenix 4th of July Fireworks information is here <— **

The 2010 4th of July Fireworks shows in Phoenix and Tempe are sure to draw HUGE crowds again this year. Riding the light rail just might be your best bet to see the action at Tempe Town Lake and at Steele Indian School Park. Both of these venues are easily accessed by METRO. So, you are looking for the Independence day action? We’ve got action for ya’! Try on these two huge blowout 4th of July parties for size.

CBS 5 July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival Sunday, July 4 at Tempe Town Lake Gates open at 4 p.m. Closest light rail station: Mill Ave/Third Street Tempe Town Lake Festival: 4 p.m. The Tempe 4th of July celebration includes the Fantastic Family Fest, an inflatable village with rock climbing walls, face painting, relay races, rides and entertainment for kids. Cool off with water and games at the Splash Playground. Feast on great July 4th foods like hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecue, roasted corn, snow cones and ice cream. Live bands will be jamming pop, rock and country music on the main stage near the lake from 4:30 to 11 p.m. You can bring blankets and chairs for seats on the lawn for the evening fireworks show set to patriotic and classical music. Tempe July 4th Tickets can be purchased at city of Tempe locations for $5, online and at Fry’s Food Stores for $6. For the super cool crowd, VIP options include dinner from Skye Restaurant, two drink tickets and seats in a misted location for the fireworks show. $30-$60 for Skye VIP Garden, $15 for two, $8 at gate, $5 and $6 in advance, children 12 and younger and people with military with ID are FREE of charge!

Freedom Wireless Fabulous Phoenix Fourth Sunday, July 4 at Steele Indian School Park Gates open at 6 p.m. Closest light rail stations: Indian School/Central or Campbell/Central “Freedom Wireless Fabulous Phoenix Fourth: 6-9:30 p.m. Phoenix’s 25th Annual Fourth of July event at Steele Indian School Park has entertainment on three stages, a Kids World area with inflatable rides and other activities, a classic car exhibit and fireworks.

Free admission. Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. 602-262-6862.” ( source, AZCentral.com ) For more info on the Phoenix 4th of July Fireworks event, please check their site for details and Independence Day entertainment schedule.

EXTENDED 4th of July service: METRO light rail will be running increased service on Sunday for the Phoenix and Tempe July 4th Independence Day celebrations. METRO says they will ramp up the regular Sunday service during the late afternoon to be near 10-minute frequencies for when people make their way into the events. METRO will also be prepared with a similar service level near the end of the July 4th events. Light rail service will be extended on the evening of the 4th with the last full trips occurring at midnight, rather than 11 p.m. Remember, the light rail will be very crowded and busy handling the 4th of July traffic. Please be patient and make sure to get in the correct line or on the correct train. METRO park-and-ride lots are free to use on a first-come, first-served basis. Remember, NO overnight parking is allowed! Below is a map of where the Park and Ride lots are located, each one is adjacent to a light rail station. Remember, these park and ride lots will be very full on the 4th of July, give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination.

Freedom Wireless Fabulous Phoenix Fourth travelers heading eastbound should de-board at the Campbell/Central Ave station. Any westbound travelers should de-board at the Indian School/Central Ave station. CBS 5 July 4th Tempe Town Lake Festival patrons should exit at the Mill Ave/Third St station. The Mill Ave bridge will not be open to pedestrians, therefore the Center Pkwy/Washington station is not a very good choice for getting to Tempe Town Lake. All light rail riders are highly encouraged to purchase an all-day light rail pass for roundtrip service. Super smart people will buy their all-day pass in advance, so they can simply activate it on July 4th. Please also note that while the bus will be free in Tempe on the 4th of July, the light rail will not.

Are you going to take the bus or light rail to see 4th of July fireworks at Tempe Town Lake or at Steele Indian School Park? Don’t miss the Friends of Transit July 4th Transit Contest where you can win some cool prizes and transit passes. To enter, simply send Friends of Transit an email at contest@friendsoftransit.org and tell them how you use transit to get to your 4th of July celebration destination. See the Friends of Transit site for complete details.

I have a feeling that the 2010 Phoenix and Tempe Independence Day Celebrations will be even better than last year’s shows. There are many other fireworks shows around the Valley for you to enjoy, as well. Just remember to keep hydrated, be safe and have a GREAT time!

View Phoenix Light Rail Park and Ride locations in a larger map

View Phoenix Valley METRO Light Rail in a larger map

**Please note: I got this information from sources that I believe to be reliable. Please verify all information. Rail Life is NOT associated with METRO or with any of the events listed. Contact events directly if more information is needed. Thanks!**

*** Parking Update ***

Overflow parking

METRO park-and-ride lots are free to use on a first-come, first-serve basis. If any of the lots become full, we encourage you to try the next closest lot.

Overflow parking opportunities for July 4 only have been identified along the line:

Park Central Mall – designated “retail only parking” spaces at Earl Drive, west of Central Avenue

38th Street/Washington – east of 38th Street and the METRO park-and-ride; Gateway Community College parking lot

Price 101 Freeway/Apache –south end of the METRO park-and-ride; employee lot accessible using the same entrance

Safeway – north of Main Street, west of the Sycamore transit center