The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is unfurling its 5th annual “4th of July Freedom Fest,” a two-day event with vintage air shows, concerts, fireworks, all-American fare, military tributes and poolside fun, with vacation packages benefitting military families, July 3-5, 2015.

Saluting Heroes & Vintage Air Shows

Saluting America’s heroes, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess will host a one-of-a-kind vintage air show July 3 & 4, where a dozen military aircraft that flew in World War II, Korea and in Vietnam will fly over the resort, flown by retired veterans. (Photos and the history of each plane will be on display in the resort’s main lobby.) Both air shows will conclude with a military parachutist from the All Veterans Parachute Team soaring through the skies and landing with an American flag. Miniature flags will be provided to guests on the ground to cheer on the crews. Over at Trailblazers Kids Club, veterans will meet with kid campers.

Fairmont ‘Freedom Fest’ Tribute Concerts & Fireworks

Revelers can dance and celebrate with live music under the stars on the Princess Lagoon Lawn, July 3 & 4. The Freedom Fest tribute concerts, with a patriotic introduction and fireworks intermission, are complimentary for overnight guests or those dining in La Hacienda, Bourbon Steak, Toro Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar or Ironwood American Kitchen.

Friday, July 3

4:45 pm:          Vintage Air Show, best viewed from South Pool & Lagoons

7:30 pm:          Concert seating on the Lagoon Lawn

Show Opener: Grammy-Nominated Kid Hop Artist Secret Agent 23 Skidoo

8 pm:               Presentation of the Colors and Special Military Presentation

8:30 pm:          Boogie Knights Concert

Bringing the best of everything ’70s, Boogie Knights is a four-man disco band playing that funky music in platform shoes, angel flights and plenty of polyester. 

9 pm:               Fireworks Show (Five minutes)

9:05 pm:          Boogie Knights Concert resumes

  Saturday, July 4

4:45 pm:          Vintage Air Show, best viewed from South Pool & Lagoons
7:30 pm:          Concert seating on the Lagoon Lawn

Show Opener: Grammy-Nominated Kid Hop Artist Secret Agent 23 Skidoo

8 pm:               Presentation of the Colors

8:30 pm:          The Spazmatics

As self-proclaimed “nerds who rock,” this ‘80s New Wave cover band of geeks are high-energy and sure to “blind you with science” and make you party like it’s “1999,” when, really, it was more like 1982.

9 pm:               Fireworks Show (15 minutes)

9:15 pm:          Spazmatics Concert resumes

Patriotic, Poolside!

Celebrating America, poolside is the place to be. At the 6,000 square-foot Sonoran Splash pool complex, families can have a ball surfing in the SplashRider X-treme water ride and sliding down 200-foot waterslides, while the Fairmont Fun Team is on deck leading games with music from DJ Splash. Red, white and blue frozen drinks and watermelon eating contests round-out the fun. At night, the Sonoran Splash turns into the Techno Glo Party After Dark, with fog, lasers, professional glow-in-the-dark hula hoopers and DJ Splash spinning the hottest beats.

Family Fun at the Lagoons

The Zipper is a speedy 25 mph zip line, stretching 240-feet across the lagoons, available weekends, all summer long. Also at the lagoons, guests can enjoy catch-and-release fishing derbies and nature walks led by Ranger Rick…or test their aim at the new water balloon battle.

4th of July Vacation Packages Benefit Military Charities

The summer’s popular Sip, Savor & Splash Package includes a $50 daily resort credit that can be applied toward spa, dining or Trailblazer’s Kids Club. During the 4th of July Freedom Fest, there is a two-night minimum and this vacation package starts from $179 per night for a three-night stay and $219 per night for a two-night stay, plus taxes and daily resort fee.

A percentage of proceeds from every vacation package during Freedom Fest will benefit the Snowball Express, Honor House and Friends of Freedom, all non-profit organizations dedicated to supporting veterans, active duty service members and their families.

For reservations, please call (480) 585-4848, toll-free at (866) 540-4495 or visit scottsdaleprincess.com.

The 4th of July Freedom Fest is one of Fairmont Scottsdale Princess’ signature “Legacy Events,” a series of memorable special events for the local community and resort guests. The first event to be introduced was “Christmas at the Princess” in December 2010, which has grown to include “Summer at the Princess,” “4th of July Freedom Fest” “Labor Day Dreamcation” and “Bunnyland” at Easter brunch.