Cities across the Southwest are finalising Independence Day programs, with local officials expecting large turnouts for concerts, festivals and back-to-back fireworks displays over the 3–4 July holiday weekend. Phoenix will stage the 37th annual “Fabulous Phoenix 4th” at Steele Indian School Park on 4 July. The free event runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., featuring an ice-cream sandwich eating contest, classic-car show and veterans’ viewing area, capped by one of Arizona’s largest fireworks shows at 9:30 p.m. Organisers warn that no public parking is available at the site and are urging visitors to use Valley Metro light-rail services and bring water and shade. Dozens of other Arizona communities, from Anthem and Buckeye in the Phoenix suburbs to Flagstaff and Tucson, will hold firework displays and family activities. Most events offer free admission, though some charge for parking or premium seating. Municipal authorities say they are coordinating closely with fire departments to monitor dry-weather conditions and enforce bans on personal fireworks inside venues. In Las Vegas, Caesars Palace will launch fireworks above the Strip at 9 p.m. on 4 July, while the Plaza Hotel in downtown will follow with a display at 9:15 p.m. Resorts and nightclubs across the city have scheduled pool parties, concerts and a hot-dog-eating contest to keep visitors on the Strip and Fremont Street through the extended weekend.