Independence Day sparks patriotism
By Linda Bentley | July 8, 2009
CAVE CREEK – Mayor Vincent Francia and Vice Mayor Ernie Bunch sent out a joint e-mail on Monday stating, “Nothing like being among 5,000-plus fellow Americans for Independence Day fireworks celebrations,” while noting such was the case at Harold’s Cave Creek Corral on Friday, July 3 and again at Frontier Town on Saturday, July 4.
Multi-generational patriotism was also on display over the fun weekend with Americans cheering loudly as the stellar fireworks’ grand finales lit up the night skies.
Francia and Bunch sent out a hearty thanks to Harold’s hosts Bill Vale and Danny Piacquadio and Frontier Town’s Marc Peagler; Cave Creek Marshal Adam Stein and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department for keeping a traffic-packed historic town core flowing without incident; Dan Nelson for dazzling displays of pyrotechnics; Rural/Metro firefighters for keeping the town safe; and Bob Kite for donating the center of Cave Creek property for parking on July 3 and a staging area on July 4.
After sounding their appreciation for Easton Ashe, whose upbeat music whipped the crowd into a festive dance mode, they said, “And, at the risk of ruffling a few feathers, a special thanks to Walmart, which stepped in at the 11th hour to make up funding deficits for both evenings’ fireworks events. Because of Walmart’s community outreach, both fireworks displays were complete presentations for our citizens and visitors.”
Rural/Metro firefighters, who stand watch during the town’s fireworks events, responded immediately to douse a fireworks-related brush fire behind the center of town on Saturday, which burned an area about 20 feet by 20 feet.
Although no one seemed to notice, Rural/Metro Fire Chief John Kraetz said the fire caused Saturday’s grand finale to be cut a little short.
And, while traffic may have flowed smoothly throughout the town core, a non-injury accident at the intersection of Cave Creek Road and Carefree Highway after the fireworks on Saturday night had traffic backed up for about 40 minutes.
Photo by Rusty Childress