4th of July Fireworks Celebrations

In addition to the light shows, the Fourth of July events this year won't be without live music, juicy watermelon and daring hot dog eaters.

Cocopah and Paradise casinos and the communities of Wellton and San Luis, Ariz., are all hosting fireworks celebrations this Independence Day. (As in recent years, in part due to declining attendance, Yuma County Fairgrounds will not have a show.)

As many as 15,000 people are expected to attend the event in San Luis. Its celebration runs from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Joe Orduno Park. This fireworks show starts later than the others — 10:30 p.m. — to give those in Yuma a chance to see two displays.

Calling it “the best fireworks show in the Southwest,” Parks and Recreation Director Chris Kasid said they've quadrupled the number of fireworks in recent years for a 30-minute color-packed display that's “unbelievable.” Three bands are expected to perform as well.

“It's our signature event,” Kasid said.

But it didn't start out that way. Longtime resident Olivia Jenkins said her husband helped launch the Fourth of July event in San Luis more than 10 years ago, and it took some urging to get others on board, she said.

A Vietnam veteran, the late Michael Jenkins “decided San Luis needed to celebrate an American holiday,” she said. “He was a very patriotic man and he believed strongly in his country and what it stood for.”

Seeing the event grow over the years makes Jenkins proud because she sees it as a sign of the city's support of the military. There are now a number of families here with relatives in the military, Kasid said. He hopes to have a military recruiter at a booth this year in addition to some 30 other vendors.

Cocopah Casino's event will run from 6 to 10:30 p.m. on the lawn next to the casino. Fireworks will kick off at 8:30 p.m. with some surprises added to the show. The band Checkered Past will play hits from the 1970s, '80s and '90s throughout the night, said John Giles, marketing director.

The Gadsden School District Marching Band will play the national anthem and raise funds for a trip to England as well. Patriotic music played during the show will be broadcast over the El Dorado radio stations, something new this year, Giles said.

Prior to the show, the second annual hot dog-eating contest will have contestants vying for the top prize of $100 cash and a trophy.

The contest fee is $1 because “we want to make sure they're absolutely certain they know what they're getting into,” Giles said.

This year kids can sign up for a watermelon-eating contest as well. The winner will take home a trophy but no cash.

Cocopah's event started in the early 1990s with a fireworks show and sodas at the very least, said general manager Jerry Lane.

Today, people book hotel rooms just to get a good view of the light show, and the event now requires months of planning and help with traffic control, he said. They estimate about 7,000 people attend, including folks who park along the side of the road to watch the display.

Like in years past, Paradise Casino's celebration is July 3. The event runs from 7 to 9 p.m. in the casino's parking lot. This year the Boost Mobile dirt bike team will perform tricks, said Veronica Menta, assistant marketing director.

There will also be face painting and other games for kids, and free popcorn and water, she said.

Paradise Casino had its first fireworks show roughly 10 years ago, Menta said. “It was just to give back to the community.”

Since then, attendance has doubled to about 4,500 spectators. Every year they try to feature different styles of music, and this year they're planning for reggae.

The fireworks event in Wellton has been going on for more than 20 years.

“It hasn't changed a whole lot,” said Becky Hopkins, deputy town clerk. “The only changes we've made is increasing the fireworks.”

Of course, the attendance has grown as the city has gotten bigger. The low-key event draws the community to the Butterfield Golf Course, where spectators can sit on the cool grass and dip their feet in the pond, she said.

“You got a good view anywhere you sit.”

There will be vendors to sell shaved ice, lighted necklaces, hot dogs and burritos.

The show usually lasts about 45 minutes and includes a stationary fireworks display of the American flag. They always get compliments on their light show, and Hopkins credits their seasoned pyrotechnician.

“He knows how to time his shots,” she said.