Mark your calendars, Tempe residents and visitors – the city's signature 4th of July Celebration is back at Tempe Beach Park this Thursday, and it’s shaping up to be a day full of classic American festivities and fireworks. According to the City of Tempe's official announcement, the event, hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Tempe, is set to feature an array of activities from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., including family-friendly games, food, chilly drinks, entertainment for kids, live music performances, and to cap off the evening, a dazzling fireworks show launched over the lake.

If you’re an early bird looking to celebrate Independence Day, make sure you're there before 6 p.m.—there’s going to be a patriotic touch with a majestic U.S. Air Force F-35 flyover that will give you all the feels of national pride. Ticket pricing is pretty standard fare: $12 if you're on the ball with a pre-sale ticket or $15 if you pay at the door, and for the youngsters, it's $5 a pop, free for the tykes under five. In a move that’s sure to delight penny-pinching parents, kids 12 and under get a free pass before 6 p.m. when they come with a paying adult the VIP experience however, is a pricier affair: kids tickets will run you $50 and $100 for adults but with perks like shaded seats, a catered dinner and some sparkly swag, it might just be worth the splurge for those looking to indulge a little on the holiday.

Funds raised at the event are earmarked for local youth organizations, so attendees can revel in the fact that their celebration supports a good cause. For those planning to drive, a quick heads up: parking around Tempe Beach Park is typically as scarce as water in the desert on the fourth, so the city is strongly encouraging party-goers to opt for public transit or ride-shares to avoid the hassle with the scant parking situation.

While the fireworks at Tempe Beach Park promise a stunning visual treat, residents are reminded to be considerate with their own fireworks displays – remember, veterans, individuals with health issues such as asthma or Autism, and pets can have a rough time with the noise and smoke. Check the city's guidelines—don’t be that neighbor setting off illegal firecrackers, bottle rockets, or roman candles which are a big no-no in Tempe, seriously, if you’re unsure about what’s permitted, do your civic duty and consult the city’s list before lighting up the sky on your own. Keeping the community safe, Tempe Police urge anyone spotting illegal fireworks to dial their non-emergency line at 480-350-8311 for swift action.

For those feeling the July heat, Tempe hasn't forgotten about you – several heat relief spots will be up and running with holiday hours on the 4th. Whether it’s Tempe Church of Christ, Church of Epiphany, or University Presbyterian Church, relief from the scorcher is just a visit away, with additional information listed on the Heat Relief Network website. City services, however, will be taking a breather in observance of Independence Day, so expect the doors to city administrative offices to be closed, details on what else will be unavailable can be found on the city website.