Cave Creek fireworks start early

CAVE CREEK - Planners are suggesting that visitors come early to find a spot to watch this year's Fourth of July fireworks shows in Cave Creek.

Feeling an economic crunch and worried about the possibility of fires, some places have opted this year to cut out their Independence Day fireworks.

The result could be a larger crowds for the back-to-back shows Thursday and Friday in Cave Creek.

The town's fireworks displays are expected to draw thousands of people to the small Northeast Valley community.

Three years ago, Cave Creek canceled its Fourth of July show because of the massive Cave Creek Complex Fire - the largest desert wildfire in Arizona history - which charred 248,000 acres between Bartlett Lake and New River.

This year's fireworks are set to light up the sky around 9 p.m. both nights.

Harold's Cave Creek Corral kicks off the festivities Thursday with its own Western-style barbecue and back-to-back bands.

The fireworks, sponsored by the Cave Creek Merchants Chamber of Commerce, are launched on Harold's property.

Harold's co-owner Danny Piacquadio called the display "one of the best" in the Valley.

Though smaller than a big-city show, it boasts more "specialty" pyrotechnics and an extended grand finale, he said.

"It's just unbelievable," Piacquadio said.

"It reminds you of being a little kid."

He suggests reserving a spot at the Harold's event, which was sold out last year.

On Friday, local watering hole the Satisfied Frog will have an indoor-outdoor bash, followed by fireworks across the street near Cave Creek and School House roads.

Marc Peagler, who operates the Satisfied Frog, suggests that people arrive early.

In Flagstaff, city officials canceled its annual fireworks display because of fire danger.

Wickenburg also canceled its show this year, a town official confirmed.

Phoenix nearly called off its Fabulous Phoenix Fourth festival, the Valley's largest free fireworks show, due to poor funding. Corporate sponsors stepped up at the last minute to donate more than $120,000 to cover the cost.

Cave Creek's fireworks displays are expected to draw thousands of people to the small Northeast Valley community.