For the second straight year the City of Fayetteville will not be holding a fireworks display due to lack of funding.
"Everyone seems to understand that budget cuts are necessary for a city and this is a trying time right now," said Connie Edmonston, Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Director.
For years the city held a display at the Northwest Arkansas Mall, which was then moved to Baum Stadium. The display cost $48,000 dollars, and was paid through a combination of sources. The city paid $28,000, the Advertising and Promotion Commission contributed $15,000 and the Northwest Arkansas Mall gave $5,000.
However, in 2008, the city was left without any help and facing their own budget problems. "It came to the point we had to prioritize," said Edmonston.
The city basically had to choose between keeping several youth and teen programs or the Fourth of July celebration. "We felt giving up one day of special events, rather than all the events we offer though out the year, would be the best thing to do," said Edmonston.
The city averaged between 20,000 and 25,000 people at the displays. Edmonston says once the economy rebounds they would like to continue the fireworks displays in the future.
There are several other fireworks displays in the area this Fourth of July. All the displays start at dusk or later.
Bella Vista, Friday, Lake Loch Lomond; Rogers, Friday, Veterans Park; Springdale, Friday and Saturday, Arvest Ballpark (following the Naturals game); Springdale, Saturday, Rodeo of the Ozarks; Beaver Lake, Saturday, south of Market 8 (only viewable from the water)
"Everyone seems to understand that budget cuts are necessary for a city and this is a trying time right now," said Connie Edmonston, Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Director.
For years the city held a display at the Northwest Arkansas Mall, which was then moved to Baum Stadium. The display cost $48,000 dollars, and was paid through a combination of sources. The city paid $28,000, the Advertising and Promotion Commission contributed $15,000 and the Northwest Arkansas Mall gave $5,000.
However, in 2008, the city was left without any help and facing their own budget problems. "It came to the point we had to prioritize," said Edmonston.
The city basically had to choose between keeping several youth and teen programs or the Fourth of July celebration. "We felt giving up one day of special events, rather than all the events we offer though out the year, would be the best thing to do," said Edmonston.
The city averaged between 20,000 and 25,000 people at the displays. Edmonston says once the economy rebounds they would like to continue the fireworks displays in the future.
There are several other fireworks displays in the area this Fourth of July. All the displays start at dusk or later.
Bella Vista, Friday, Lake Loch Lomond; Rogers, Friday, Veterans Park; Springdale, Friday and Saturday, Arvest Ballpark (following the Naturals game); Springdale, Saturday, Rodeo of the Ozarks; Beaver Lake, Saturday, south of Market 8 (only viewable from the water)
