Places to Go

A Southwest Fourth of July

by Lynn Bremner

If you are looking for something fun to do over the Fourth of July holiday, consider one of these trips into the American Southwest.

Lake Havasu, Arizona 4th of July

While many cities are cutting back if not completely eliminating their Fourth of July celebrations, Lake Havasu City has actually made their celebration larger.

Thanks to local residents and businesses pulling together, residents and visitors who flock to this resort destination will have an even bigger show to look forward to this year, as well as an entire festival to go with. “We‘re recreating the family-friendly picnic, block party feeling that we used to see years ago,” said Greg Tryon, one of the organizers behind the event. “It will be a lot of fun with music, games and contests all for free,” he said.

Also included in the fun will be the typical summer-time contests. Organizers have planned three-legged races, watermelon eating contests, egg tosses and other games to fill the day.

There will be plenty of food on hand as well. “We‘re looking at doing 50 cent hot dogs and pizza, 25 cent sodas and sno-cones. It‘s all geared for a low-cost afternoon,” Tryon said. Local restaurants will also be on hand with even more choices, and Wal-Mart is providing free bottled water.

A pair of bands are set to take the stage and rock Independence Day. The band Fifth Element will take the stage from 4:30-6:00 pm, followed by local favorite Chuck E. Bumps from 7:00 to 8:30 pm. “They have an amazing set planned. They‘re doing a full Las Vegas style show with singers, dancers and everything. The full works!” Tryon said.

The fireworks show will begin at 9 pm, launched from Spectator Point, just a few hundred yards across the water from Rotary Park. “The festival goers will have front row seats to an amazing fireworks display, put on by Lantis out of Phoenix,” Tryon said. The show will be set to music aired on KNTR AM 980 and FM 97.1 and played over the Kokomo Party Barge in Thompson Bay.

The Freedom Festival starts at 4:00 pm Saturday, July 4.

Laughlin, Nevada 4th of July

Rockets Over The River
Where: Laughlin, NV
Cost: Free
More info: 702-298-2214

Just after dark on Saturday, July 4, the huge 19th annual Rockets Over The River fireworks display will be free for public viewing along the entire Laughlin River Walk. Typically, this extraordinary display is one of the most spectacular and exciting in the West as the pyrotechnic company shoots its rockets into the dark desert sky. The show will be choreographed to fabulous patriotic music that will be simulcast by the Laughlin hotels and local radio stations.

Places to Go

A Southwest Fourth of July

Lake Havasu, Arizona 4th of July

Laughlin, Nevada 4th of July

Fourth of July Desert Destinations

Fourth of July Desert Destinations