Great American BBQ turnout better than reader expectation

In the latest weekly poll, 68 percent (219) of respondents said they would not be attending the Great American Barbecue.

Nine percent (29) said they might come, and 23 percent were planning on attending the festival.

This turned out to be an inaccurate representation of the people of Maricopa’s actual intentions as “thousands and thousands” turned out, according to Community Service Director Jennifer Campbell.

“It was a great turnout,” Campbell said.

Rafael Morales, a Maricopa resident living right by the park, said the turnout was, “way bigger than last time.”

Many people decided to celebrate on their own that evening. The Maricopa Police Department had five separate calls about people using fireworks illegally and in one incident someone illegally discharged a firearm.