Fireworks show moves to July 3

The date for the annual Fourth of July fireworks display in Portales has been bumped up a day, according to an Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce official.

The fireworks display outside Greyhound Arena will be held July 3, according to chamber officials.

The pyrotechnic crew from Clovis, which has done the show in the past, notified the RCCC in March that it had lost several of its licensed staff and could not do the show, according to RCCC Executive Director Sharon King.

“We caught a lucky break when the fireworks crew that puts on Clovis’ show agreed to do our show on the third,” she said.

“There were two options when the regular fireworks crew could not do our show: Either have it on the third or not at all,” King said.

“I think this works out great for the residents of Portales,” King said. “They get to see our show on the third and drive to Clovis and see theirs on the fourth. They are getting more bang for their buck.”

The Portales News-Tribune’s Smokin’ 4th of July Bash was also moved to July 3, said event coordinator Randy Small.

“We are expecting a great turnout this year,” said Small, a Freedom New Mexico employee and owner of Bum Steer Barbecue. “People can come out and enjoy some barbecue.”

The cost of the barbecue is $10 for adults and $7 for children.

The chamber still needs $4,000 in donations for this year’s fireworks display. They currently have $2,500 from the Lodger’s Tax and donations, King said.

For information on the fireworks, contact King at 356-8541.

For information on the Smokin’ July 3rd Bash, contact Ian Cooke at 356-4481.