Tempe really knows how to celebrate the 4^th of July.  Anyone who has been to past events or just happens to be traveling on hwy 202 through Tempe knows what a show-stopper the Tempe fireworks extravaganza is. The Kiwanis Club of Tempe has been putting on July 4th  pyrotechnic spectaculars for 58 years and this year will make it the 59^th.

 The City of Tempe will get things going with a bunch of fun activities for the entire family starting at 4:00 p.m. Local bands will perform on the Hot Summer Nights Stage and the Fantastic Family Fest will feature a free inflatable village (try saying that five times fast), rides and a rock climbing wall. Kids and parents can cool down with a little water fun and games at the azcentral.com Splash Playground located at Tempe Beach Park.

Food is always a key component and there will be plenty of July 4^th favorites like burgers, hot dogs, BBQ, roasted corn, fry bread, Mexican food, snow cones and ice cream.

All of this preliminary activity sets the stage for the final event, the rousing, awe-inspiring fireworks show set to patriotic and classical music that will light up the skys over the historic Mill Avenue Bridge and Tempe Town Lake from 9:10 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.

Those who enjoy viewing the fireworks from outside will want to arrive with blankets and chairs in hand, in plenty of time to find a prime spot on the lawn at Tempe Beach Park. Let’s face it, being outside in Tempe in July is not for everyone. For those who prefer their air-conditioned comfort, Friends of TCA will host July 4^th Celebration at the Tempe Center for the Arts complete with hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, dessert, no host bar and amazing views of the fireworks from the rooftop terrace or inside the 201 Lounge. Reservations for this event must be made by June 29. 

Tickets may be purchased in advance at City of Tempe outlets and Fry’s stores throughout the Valley and at the gate on the day of the show.  For event details, ticket prices and ticket outlets, visit www.tempe4th.com.  For information on the Friends of TCA July 4^th Celebration at the Tempe Center for the Arts, visit www.tempe.gov/tca.

Rula Bula Irish Pub has live music most nights of the week. But, I’m most excited to check out Sunday Afternoon Live on their lovely patio from 2-6 p.m. Sunshine, drink specials and great tunes sound like the perfect outing.

Art and cartoon lovers alike will love the Chuck Jones exhibition at the Gallery at the Tempe Center for the Arts. Now in its final weeks, you’ll see classic drawings of your favorite characters like Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd and Daffy Duck. And, you’ll get a glimpse into the life of the great Chuck Jones. The Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday – Friday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free.

If it’s summertime, then it’s time for water parks. Big Surf, America’s original water park, opens this weekend on Friday, May 28. The wave pool will be in full swing for those looking to recreate a beach experience in the desert. There are also exhilarating slides, and play areas for toddlers and children. Golfland/Sunsplash is fun for the whole family. Guests can enjoy miniature golf, laser tag, race cars, waterslides, a lazy river, a wave pool and more in one location. Sunsplash, the water park, is open on weekends only. Don’t miss Thunder Falls, the thrilling new attraction that is 5 stories high, with 3 breathtaking drops.

Stroll through “The District” at Tempe Marketplace on Friday or Saturday night to hear some of the best local musicians perform for free. The bands are located in front of Barnes & Noble and at the District Stage. The music starts at 7 p.m. And, don’t forget to bring a swimsuit for your kids. The Splash Pad fountain is the perfect spot to cool off.

If you love jazz, then you’ll love Dennis Rowland. This local musician always draws a crowd. He’ll perform this weekend on Friday night at Desert Botanical Garden’s Jazz in the Garden event. And, you can end your Memorial Day weekend on a high note with Dennis at “JAZZ at Monti’s,” a Monday night event at Monti’s La Casa Vieja.

If you want to stay in town, but feel like you’ve taken a trip, head to Tortilla Flat. This unusual spot has a population of 6, but lots of Old West charm. Travelers come from miles around to try the tasty chili, burgers and prickly pear ice cream. Tortilla Flat is located just past Canyon Lake on the Apache Trail, about 45 minutes from Tempe.

Have fun this weekend and don’t forget your sunscreen!

Desert Botanical Garden Flashlight Tour

Just because it’s a little warm out doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the Desert Botanical Garden. Every summer, they give visitors a chance to see the Garden in a whole new way – by the light of a flashlight.

Garden Flashlight Tours take place every Thursday and Saturday evening from May through August. Beginning at 7 p.m., guests can observe how the desert comes to life when the sun goes down. You might see nighthawks, snakes and rare, but oh so cool, night blooming flowers. If you’ve never been to the Garden, or if you’ve been many times, don’t miss this event. You’ll also see something new. Last summer, I used my flashlight to search for toads, but found a mouse instead.

This is a perfect outing for families and couples searching for a unique date night. For more information, go to www.dbg.org.

Splash Playground at Tempe Town Lake

Grab your swimsuit and sunscreen…Splash Playground is now open at Tempe Beach Park! This is the perfect place for families to cool off this summer. Admission is free and the playground is open from 10 am to 7 pm daily. There are areas perfect for toddlers and the littlest water lovers. And, of course, there is a slide and water cannons for older kids. There are lifeguards on duty at all times, but the playground only has a maximum of about 2 inches of water at any given time. If they look closely, your children could learn a drop of rain falls from the sky and either becomes part of the ocean or the city water supply. But honestly, they might have too much fun at the park to notice the educational part. And that’s okay. Splash Playground is a great way to beat the heat. It is located on the south bank of Tempe Town Lake, near Rio Salado Parkway and Mill Avenue. For more information, visit http://tempe.gov/lake/Recreation/SplashPlayground.htm.

From 11 am to 6 pm on April 24, you can sample the best salsas from 75 amateur and professional chefs. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite — the winning chef gets bragging rights and a fabulous grand prize trip. There will also be a margarita mix-off where 20 bartenders will compete to make the best margarita. There’s a kid zone just for the little ones, a Macayo’s food court (yummo!) and live entertainment by fun local bands like the Chadwicks.

Tickets are just $10 and all proceeds benefit Arizona children affected by bleeding disorders via the Arizona Hemophilia Association. For more info, visit www.salsachallenge.com.

See you there!!

One of my favorite areas to explore is Tempe Town Lake. There is always a nice breeze and you feel like you can “get away from it all” while you are there. Public art can be found along the path and you also get the opportunity to pass by the Tempe Center for the Arts – always a treat. The walking path around the lake is roughly 5 miles, so it’s the perfect distance for walking, jogging, roller blading or whatever suits your fancy!

Another area to enjoy during an afternoon stroll is Tempe Marketplace. There are lots of shops to explore which are great for window shopping. Take in the beautiful fountain in the middle of the District area, or on a chilly evening, sit by the outdoor fireplace. Stop by Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for some delicious coffee or enjoy a hot cup of tea from Tea Infusion.

Mill Avenue, with its tree-lined red brick sidewalks, also makes my list of top places to take a walk in Tempe. Window shopping and people watching capture my attention, making the walk even more enjoyable. For a walk that features entertainment also, Thursday nights offer Music on Mill. Several different bands line the streets of the Mill Avenue District. No iPod needed! 

What are your favorite places to take a walk in Tempe? How to you like to best enjoy this wonderful spring time weather?

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim call Tempe Diablo Stadium home from March 4 through April 1. The Cactus League season, which includes 15 teams, officially begins on March 3 and ends on April 3. There will more than 200 games played in Arizona during the season. The Angels will face opponents such as the Cubs, the Giants, the Dodgers, the Brewers and for the first time this year, the Cincinnati Reds.

Tickets at Tempe Diablo Stadium start at just $6. All of the information that you need to plan a day at the ballpark or a trip to Arizona for baseball fun can be found at www.stayintempe.com, including complete game schedules, ticket information, hotel specials and more.

In closing, I’d love to know…what’s your favorite thing about spring training?

The marathons take place this Sunday, January 17; but, everyone can get into the spirit of the race ahead of time by attending the Health and Fitness Expo on January 15-16 at the Phoenix Convention Center. More than 130 exhibitors will be on hand with athletic clothing and gear, official race merchandise, souvenirs and food. There’s even tourism information for visitors who are not familiar with our area in booths hosted by the Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe.

The P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon & ½ Marathon is just plain fun. When so many people are suffering through a brutally harsh winter, it’s great to be in this part of the world soaking up the sun and enjoying this fantastic frenzy of runners, fans and bands. Will you be there as a spectator, or as a participant in the race?

For more information on Tempe events, visit www.ExploreTempe.com and http://www.tempescene.com/.

Marathon runners begin their race at 7:40 a.m., while 1/2 marathon runners like myself start at 8:30 a.m. The excitement starts early for runners while they enjoy coffee, fruit and more at the Start Line Village before the race. Once the race begins, so does the non-stop entertainment! A variety of different bands line the course to keep the energy going. This race is not just fun for the runners, but also for the many spectators that come to watch their family members and friends compete.

Once the race is over, the runners and spectators can keep the fun going at the post-race headliner concert featuring Everclear! I will be excited for the final concert since at that point I will know that I have made it, and completed the 1/2 marathon! This year’s headliner concert will begin at 11:30 a.m. in Sun Angel Stadium, immediately following the race. The concert is free and open to the public so make sure to invite your friends!

If you plan to have friends or family meet you at the finish line make sure to check out the road closure information for race day too. It can be tricky getting around that day!

I’m super excited about my first 1/2 marathon – hopefully I make it to the finish line either running or walking – not crawling! Is anyone else running the marathon or 1/2 marathon? If so, I’d love to hear any tips you have for a first-timer!