The valley will be honoring our heroes this Memorial Day Weekend with concerts, fireworks, and BBQ! Here is a list of some of the top events.
Wet 'n' Wild Phoenix is hosting a Salute to Our Heroes this Memorial Day weekend. The event runs May 24-Memorial Day; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday through Monday. The park is offering free admission for members and veterans of the U.S. military, first responders such as active-duty police, sheriff, highway patrol, active-duty firefighters, EMTs and paramedics. Must present and provide a valid government ID or badge. Family members pay $19.99 each plus tax for up to six people. There’ll also be a Memorial Day Weekend Fireworks & BBQ at Wet ’n’ Wild, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, May 26-27. Fireworks displays are featured Saturday and Sunday evenings at 9:30 p.m., which are free with park admission. Meal tickets are additional. Wet 'n' Wild Phoenix, 4243 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, Glendale. 623-201-2000. wetnwildphoenix.com/Events/
Also, this Memorial Day Weekend, Hotel Valley Ho is featuring a weekend of live music poolside, special room rates and brunch at ZuZu, Friday through Monday, May 25-28. Elvis Before Noon plays retro and modern tunes poolside from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, and DJ P-Body spins music 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Registered Hotel Valley Ho hotel guests only at OH Pool on Saturday and Sunday. Private cabanas are available. 480-248-2000. www.hotelvalleyho.com.
Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort, 11111 N. Seventh St., Phoenix is hosting Holiday Weekend Singles Dance: 8 p.m. May 26. Singles group Calculated Couples is hosting the dance for singles. For age 39 to retirement and older. Bring a pet food or toy donation for donation to an animal rescue for a discount on admission. 602-765-0200. cupidhelp.com.
Twilight Camp at the Phoenix Zoo, 6:15-8 p.m. May 26. Visit the Phoenix zoo after hours for an experience that includes a guided trail hike, animal encounters, activities, a late-night snack and a night-camp souvenir. Price includes admission for one child age 5 and older and one adult. Reservations are required. 602-914-4333. www.phoenixzoo.org.
Hollywood & Wine: A Night Under the Stars is at the Arizona Biltmore, 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix, 7 p.m. May 26. See an all-ages stage show directed and choreographed by Louis Van Amstel featuring performances by past and present stars as seen on "Dancing With the Stars," "So You Think You Can Dance," and "American Idol.” Cash bar and concessions are available. 602-955-6600. cvent.com/d/zcqp3s.
Memorial Day Ride and Concert: 4:30 p.m. May 27. Day-of registration begins at 2:30 for a 4:30 p.m. departure from Buddy Stubbs Harley-Davidson. Riders make a stop at the National Cemetery, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road in Phoenix, regroup at 6:30 p.m. at Park West Shopping Center, 101 and Northern Ave. and then ride as a group to Dillon's Restaurant at Wildlife World Zoo, 16501 W. Northern Ave., Litchfield Park for a concert and after-party from 7-11 p.m. featuring headlining band Western Bred. Ride fee includes concert entrance. Buddy Stubbs Arizona Harley-Davidson, 13850 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix. 602-971-3400.
On May 27 at 11:30am, baseball fans and their four-legged friends can spend a day at the ballpark together at the Bark in the Park” event. A pre-game puppy rally and parade on the track at Chase Field is held for dogs who are registered by 11:30 a.m. Water is provided. Pups and people can then watch the Arizona Diamondbacks versus the Milwaukee Brewers game, which begins at 1:10 p.m. Presented by Pet Club, in conjunction with the Arizona Diamondbacks, who donate $5 of every ticket sold to the Arizona Animal Welfare League and the Arizona Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Chase Field, 401 E. Jefferson St., Phoenix. 602-273-6852. aawl.org.
Memorial Day Buffet: 7-11 a.m. May 28. All current and former military members with valid ID can enjoy "A Meal Fit for a Hero" breakfast buffet for free from 7 to 11 a.m. at Cafe 24/7 inside the casino. Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, 5040 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Gila River Reservation. $12.99, free for current and former military with ID. 520-796-7777. www.wingilariver.com.
Memorial Day Observance: 9 a.m. May 28. Representatives of several of the Valley's historic organizations attend. Included are tours of the 1897 Smurthwaite House, self-guided tours of the cemeteries, and book signings by noted authors. Presented by the Pioneers' Cemetery Association. Pioneer and Military Memorial Park, 15th Ave. and Jefferson St., Phoenix. Free. 602-534-1262. azhistcemeteries.org.
A Tribute to WWII Veterans: 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. May 28, by Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. Ten-percent of sales is donated to Honor Flight Arizona, a nonprofit organization that flies America's veterans to Washington, D.C. to see the National WWII Memorial at no cost to the veteran. Volunteers from Honor Flight Arizona are available to answer questions about the program. All five Valley locations of Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers participate. Freddy's co-founder Freddy Simon is a WWII veteran. 480-633-7988. www.freddysfrozencustard.com.
Sunset Memorial Day Service: 7-8 p.m. May 28. The public is invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets to the outdoor amphitheater for a program that features a posting of the colors, "taps," a solemn POW/MIA table ceremony and a candle-lighting remembrance. Avondale Civic Center, 11465 W. Civic Center Drive, Avondale. Free. 623-333-2400. www.ci.avondale.az.us.
Memorial Day Rally: 6:30-8 a.m. May 28. Hundreds of motorcycles and American flags line Cave Creek and Pinnacle Peak roads approaching the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. An official state-sponsored ceremony begins inside at 8 a.m. All bikes and riders are welcome. Presented by Riders United for a Sovereign America, Corp. National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix. Free, $10 flag sponsorships. 480-203-1051. ridersusa.net
Salute to the Troops Concert and Barbecue: 5-10 p.m. May 28. The historic resort begins a new tradition on Memorial Day, celebrating our nation's heroes beginning with a barbecue at 5 p.m. on the front lawn and a concert performed by Luke Air Force Base's own classic rock band, the Screamin' Javelinas. A portion of proceeds is donated to the Fighter Country Foundation, a nonprofit group focused on supporting programs and services at Luke Air Force Base that aid, support and honor airmen and their families in need. Wigwam Resort and Golf Club, 300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park. 623-935-3811.