By Katherine Kisiel
Arizona Summer Wildcat
It's a day for homemade apple-pies, for messy watermelon-eating contests, bare-feet in green summer grass and, of course, the finale, bright splashes of colorful fire that light up the night sky.
It's a day for celebrating the nation's independence, and Tucson is doing just that.
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If you're looking for an old-fashioned Fourth of July, try the Tucson Convention Center.
TCC is kicking off the celebration a little early with a country-western concert on July 3. The admission is $12 and bands, Diamond Rio with Steve Wariner will play around 7 p.m.
There are tons of activities scheduled for the Fourth at the TCC starting around 8 a.m. The day includes a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for ages 16 and older. The cost is $15 per team and you can sign up by calling 791-2549. The tournament grand prize is $1,500 in merchandise from Tucson Sports and Rec.
There will also be plenty of family activities including, amusement rides, face painters and a pie-eating contest, just to mention a few. The Marana Sky Divers will be jumping out of airplanes and the Davis Monthan Air Force Base will be doing a fly-by with their A-10 jets.
To top the day's events, spectacular fireworks will light the sky over "A" Mountain.
Clarence Boykins, acting director of the TCC said there will be a full package of fireworks lasting a good 20 to 30 minutes.
Boykins said the TCC is definitely the best view of "A" Mountain. The fireworks event is sponsored by KOLD Channel-13 and Kalil Bottling Co.
Lori Ruboyianes, promotion manager at KOLD and native of Tucson said, "The fireworks over 'A' Mountain is a beautiful show, definitely the biggest show in Tucson."
For more information, call the Fourth of July Info-Line at 791-2549.
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If you're looking for a more upbeat evening, the Tucson Racquet Club is providing live music, food and beverages.
The reggae band, Neon Prophet, and blues band, Bobby Taylor, will entertain starting at 7 p.m.
The Club will also have a half-hour display of fireworks beginning at sundown.
The Club is open to the public for the special event and admission is $7 for adults and $3 for children. The Tucson Racquet Club is located at 4001 N. Country Club road.
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If you want to enjoy the Fourth of July a little closer to campus, Club Congress, located at 311 E. Congress St., is celebrating the night with live music and a barbecue. The doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the Reverend Horton Heat will take the stage at 9 p.m. Admission is $7 in advance and $9 the day of the show.
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Still another idea is spending the holiday at the ball park. The Tucson Toros will be hosting the Phoenix Firebirds on July 3 at 7 p.m. After the last inning, the night sky over the park will be filled with an explosive fireworks display over the night sky. Admission is $5 for reserved tickets, $4 for adults and $3 for children.
The Cat's Meow is a Wildcat staff member's pick for entertainment in Tucson. Katherine Kisiel is a journalism senior.