Summer in Tucson is often slow, as many people go elsewhere to avoid the oppressive heat waves. However, there are a few events that Tucson will still gather for during the hottest days of the year. The Fourth of July is a national event, but many states and cities have their own way of celebrating it.
Down at the Gaslight Theater, the Manhattan Dolls will put on a grand show on June 30 and at the Gaslight Music Hall on July 3rd called “Salute to America.” These will feature local artist and star Armen Dirtadian.
Heather Stricker-DeBenedetti, the lead of the show, started the Manhattan Dolls out of New York City. “I have a desire to celebrate this music,” Stricker-DeBenedetti said.
The theme of the Dolls is of the 1940s United Service Organizations. The USO has been dedicated to providing comfort and leisure to the nation’s military, which included the stereotypical pom-pom girls, as well as other stars of the time. Stricker-DeBenedetti described their troop as similar to the Andrews Sisters.
Dirtadian, described by Stricker-DeBenedetti, will be the Frank Sinatra to their Andrews Sisters. “I grew up watching him,” Stricker-DeBenedetti said. “It is sure to be, as we used to say, a hoot.”
If you miss it this year, you will be glad to know that it will be back next year. Stricker-DeBenedetti is a Tucson local, and next year, they plan to expand their shows to Green Valley.
Of course, heat and drought this time of year have made many parts of Tucson high fire risk zones. One place with consistent wildfire risks is the community of Summerhaven on Mount Lemmon. However, they don’t let a lack of fireworks stop their fun. On the Fourth, they put on a full, albeit short, parade.
According to Mount Lemmon Women’s Club member Hazel Rugg, fireworks have been banned on Mount Lemmon for the immense fire risk they pose. Depending on environmental factors, outdoor fires or even propane fires may be off-limits in a given year.
To compensate, Summerhaven makes a grand parade down Sabino Canyon Road. According to Rugg, the parade will feature a marching crowd, donkeys, pickup trucks, the local fire trucks and a rolling show of the Rolling Thunder car enthusiast club. There will even be a few military jets doing a flyover.
Rugg mentioned how the sounds of the roaring jets reverberate through the small valley. The whole event is hosted by the Chuck Bowden Mount Lemmon Community Center. This event is made possible by the community of Summer Haven.
The ‘A’ Mountain will also be holding their iconic fireworks show from Sentinel Peak at 9:15 PM on the Fourth. The best viewing location is the Tucson Convention Center parking lot.
Those are just three of the many events related to the Fourth of July here in Tucson. If you want to learn more, visit tucsontopia.com or other local Tucson forums. There is plenty more to do if you’re looking to enjoy more than just fireworks this season.
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