Not only is it open to season pass holders, but on July 4, 2009 it will open to single day ticket holders as well. It is anticipated that all the attractions will be operating and open by then, including Maximum Velocity, the water coaster.

I was out at Wet 'n' Wild today, and my oh my, what a crowd. And those were all season pass holders! As I arrived at 1 p.m. they were just about ready to move to overflow parking. Here are some pictures of the water park, hot off the memory card.

Nope. Not now. Not for 2009 July 4th celebrations. Even though the Arizona legislature has approved a bill that would allow people who are over 16 years old to purchase and use sparklers, smoke bombs and other small fireworks, the law is subject to a 90-day waiting period. That means that the current Arizona fireworks law is still in effect for this year.

It remains to be seen how the change in the law will play out, since the bill still allows cities to make their own determination about fireworks. In the summer of 2010 I'll probably be telling you which cities allow sparklers, which cities don't, and where you can buy them. But for now, no sparklers.

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Many people have been eagerly awaiting the opening of Wet 'n' Wild the newest theme park in Phoenix. It was supposed to open in mid-June, then late June. Wet 'n' Wild has finally announced that they have opened on a limited basis for people who purchased season passes and for those that purchase them at the park.

The Season Pass Preview Event takes place today, Thursday, July 2, 2009 from noon to 6 p.m. and Friday, July 3, 2009 from noon to 7 p.m. Maximum Velocity, the water roller coaster, will not be open during these two days. There is still no opening date for people who are not purchasing a season pass.

Find out more about the Phoenix Wet 'n' Wild here.

Some of the state parks which are especially popular for Phoenix area residents will be among the parks closed by the State of Arizona due to lack of a budget. Campers were asked to leave, which means that campgrounds will be even scarcer this holiday weekend if they don't re-open soon. Some of the closest parks affected by closures are Lost Dutchman State Park, Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Jerome State Historic Park, and Red Rock State Park. Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park remains open, at least through the weekend. You can get updates on the State Parks closures here.

UPDATE! The parks have re-opened.