Maricopa’s 5th Annual Great American Barbeque celebrates fabulous 4th

The 5th annual Great American Barbeque at Maricopa’s Pacana Park was as traditional as any Fourth of July celebration.

The weather was hot, but residents came out by the hundreds to enjoy food, friends, fun for the kids in the Water Zone and fireworks, all sponsored by Orbitel Communications, Global Water Resources and the Maricopa Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the city of Maricopa.

Beginning at 5:30 p.m. shuttles from seven different sites around the city ferried residents to and from the event, which began at 6 p.m. with the last shuttles departing at 11 p.m.

The Water Zone had lines of children waiting to cool down by sliding into shallow pools of water at the bottom of each inflatable slide. Local groups, including ABC Party Rentals, Robert Wilson for Congress, F.O.R. Maricopa food bank, Leading Edge Academy, Legacy Traditional School, Maricopa Youth Football League and Team Chances for Children sponsored the seven waterslides.

All-American games like pie eating and seed spitting contests were part of the festivities, as was a dunk tank. Dancers, the local youth band Serenity and a disc jockey provided entertainment for the event.

Kettle corn, cotton candy, snow cones, and a variety of barbeque specialties were available at the food court, and a beer garden provided drinks.

At about 9:15 p.m., following the Maricopa Police Department’s presentation of the colors, fireworks lit Maricopa’s dark skies. Numerous volleys, lasting a little over 30 minutes, brought applause and exclamations from crowds at Pacana Park and other nearby sites where spectators gathered to watch the display.

Fun, food and fireworks celebrated not only the spirit of American independence, but also the community spirit of Maricopa and its 5th Annual Great American Barbeque.

Photos by Dan Miller