Schedule set for Fourth of July celebration

Fireworks are planned for part of the fun at Maricopa’s Fourth of July celebration.

The vendors and schedule have been set for Maricopa’s Great American BBQ Fourth of July celebration.

Maricopa residents can look forward to an evening full of food and entertainment. Vendors will line the walkway around the main stage area while local performers entertain the crowd at Copper Sky.

The field of vendors has nearly filled up with local merchants excited to participate in the annual celebration. There are still a few vendor spots remaining, but since the registration deadline has passed, any new vendor would be charged a late fee of $100.

“We have 35 vendors set for the event,” Maricopa Community Services special event and marketing manager Niesha Whitman said. “We also had one of our performers back out, but the DJ will fill in any open performance times.”

Fyrestorm Cheer is now expected to kick off the event since ATA Karate will no longer be performing. The DJ will fill in the down time between Fyrestorm and event headliner Nine Ball. Nine Ball will then perform until the ceremony begins at 9 p.m.

The ceremony schedule has remained the same. It is expected to be a patriotic celebration featuring an address to the crowd by Mayor Christian Price and the City Council, and a presentation of colors by the city of Maricopa Honor Guard. Then Miss City of Maricopa will lead the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, and the National Anthem will follow. Finally, the fireworks will begin, and the event will come to a close around 10 p.m.

Other July 4 events in Maricopa:

At the Ak-Chin Indian Community Milton P. Antone Park, from 4-8 p.m. there will be a watermelon eating contest, a hot dog eating contest and a talent show, as well as jumping castles and water activities. Between 8:30 or 8:45 p.m. the fireworks will begin.

UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle will be showing a Goonies movie on the Jumbotron following the Fireworks Show. They will also be giving away one-hour game cards that night. Guests usually reserve their seat in the Amphitheater and then move over to the lawn to watch the fireworks and then return to watch the movie.

Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino – in The Lounge at 6 p.m.  – season 5 “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks will be performing a free show with the sound of southern soul, R & B, country and blues. From 9:30 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. local country band DaisyTrain will perform.

Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club – Enjoy the fun of a four-person scramble for a “Red, White, and Blue Golf Outing” at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club’s The shotgun start is at 7:30 a.m.  Cost is $50 + tax per person which includes 18 holes with a cart, a post-golf buffet, complimentary bottles of water, on-course contests and awards for best dressed and most patriotic golfer. Register by calling Devin Lowe at 520-426-6830 or by visiting www.akchinsoutherndunes.com.