Cities cancel fireworks because of downturn

COME Saturday, the sky over most American cities will be eerily silent.

After all, every Fourth of July, which marks Independence Day, has been marked by displays of fireworks.

As the economic crisis drags on, city leaders around the country say fireworks are a luxury they can no longer afford.

Big and small, urban and rural, the skies will remain dark over at least four dozen communities nationwide come 4 Jul.

Said Mayor Bill Cervenik of Ohio: 'It came down to this: Did we want to spend US$150,000 ($218,000) on something that would be over in a few hours?

'Or did we want to use that money to keep city workers employed?'

The news has sparked outrage and protests among residents who long to preserve an American tradition that dates back to 1777.

They say that fireworks displays are more than a nod to nostalgia: They allow communities to come together, set aside their woes and build up town pride - even if only for a few hours.

But some cities would rather feed their residents than entertain them.

Money to the food banks

In the Los Angeles suburb of Montebello, where unemployment hovers at 12 per cent, the city council unanimously voted to use its US$39,000 fireworks budget on donations to local food banks.

'The last food bank line I saw had more than 1,000 people in it,' said Mayor Rosemarie Vasquez.

'We figured that, instead of burning the money in the air, why not give it to people who need it?'

Big cities, such as Chicago and New York, have been able to keep their shows thanks to corporate sponsors, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association.

When budgets grow tight, towns are forced to be creative with less.

Punta Gorda, a Florida town of 17,000, which is still rebuilding itself after a 2004 hurricane, is raising funds for a smaller show.

The city came up with extra activities to make up for the abbreviated fireworks: Three-legged races, water balloon tosses, hula-hooping and key lime pie-making contests.

Elsewhere, towns have just given up.

Mayor Ronald Branson of Carrollton, Texas, said: 'We all would like to get the fireworks going again because it would mean the economy has turned around'.

Los Angeles Times