Posted at: 07/03/2009 7:17 PM
Updated at: 07/04/2009 6:43 PM
By: Valerie Castro, Eyewitness News 4; Charlie Pabst, KOB.com

4th celebrations not affected by economy

Fireworks (file)

Fourth of July celebrations are taking a financial hit all over the country, but New Mexico displays are promising to be just as impressive as ever.

Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, and even Elephant Butte say the economy won't impact the Independence Day celebrations.

Craig Rivera with the City of Albuquerque told Eyewitness News 4 on Friday, "Actually many, many municipalities greater in size than Albuquerque have stopped fireworks shoots, you know this is Albuquerque we have to continue doing it, it's good for people, its good for us, it's a way that the community can get together."

Crews are setting up at Balloon Fiesta Park for this year's Freedom Fourth celebration. The total cost is expected to be around $200,000, about the same as last year.

Rivera says that cost includes "everything from security, police, to traffic management, that also covers the free park and ride and also our fireworks display and also entertainment."

About $50,000 of the total cost will go to fireworks.

Rio Rancho says its display at Loma Colorado will cost about the same.

"It comes out of the city's general fund budget and you know it costs about $50,000 dollars which is historically what we've spent on fireworks," Jay Hart with Rio Rancho said.

Elephant Butte spends about half the price, but it's paid for with donations. The Friends of Elephant Butte organization, which raises the money, says it's about $5,000 short as of Friday. It hopes to raise that money before the display goes off.

Some organizers say if things get too wet on Saturday, the displays could be postponed until Sunday.

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