(Alamogordo, New Mexico) - The annual City of Alamogordo July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza, scheduled for Thursday, July 4th, is slated to be the largest fireworks show ever produced for this event. More than 6500 individual shots will be fired, an increase of about twenty percent over last year.
“It is very likely that this will be the largest fireworks show in the state,” said New Mexico Museum of Space History Director Chris Orwoll. “The last three years, our show has been the second largest in the state but this significant increase should put Alamogordo at the top of the list. The museum is honored to host this spectacular show for the citizens of our community, on behalf of the City.”
Atlas Enterprises of Fort Worth, Texas, will be putting on the fireworks show. Atlas is a nationally known pyrotechnics company with a long history of outstanding programs and an exceptional safety record. “Atlas worked with us very closely this year, not only on expanding the show but also on an exciting new mix for the musical choreography that will be broadcast live on KZZX 105.3 FM,” said Orwoll.
VIP Parking Pass holders will be able to drive up the hill to the museum beginning at 6:00 pm. Tailgating in the museum’s parking lots is allowed. “You can enjoy the show from the comfort of your lawn chair right next to your car. Each vehicle gets one pass, which translates to two parking spaces, one for the car and one for the party,” said Cathy Harper, museum marketing director. The VIP parking passes are given to members of the International Space Hall of Fame Foundation as part of their benefits of membership. Membership forms are available on the museum website or at the museum reception desk. Harper said, “The invitation to attend our annual fireworks display is probably one of the favorite benefits of Foundation members. It’s a wonderful evening of family relaxation, and you can’t get any better seats to the show!”
A live band kicks off the festivities at 7:00 pm. The 24/7 Blues Band is a five piece band that plays upbeat crowd pleasing blues music along with some R&B, and funk. Hailing from the Las Cruces area, this local favorite also does original material, along with well-known cover tunes. Gary Stamper heads up the band with lead guitar and vocals. Stamper writes most of the band’s original material. Gary Lambert plays keyboards and does vocals. Ron Grose plays bass guitar and sings lead on many songs. Larry Blevins plays a mean Sax and sings vocals (along with wearing several ridiculous costume hats), and Mike Matthews plays drums and joins in on the vocals. The group will play until 9:00.
The Fireworks will begin at approximately 9:15 pm; all events are weather permitting with a back-up date of July 5. Music for the fireworks program will be carried live on KZZX Radio, 105.3 FM, through the support of Burt Broadcasting. “We appreciate the assistance of Burt Broadcasting each year for the Fireworks Extravaganza,” commented Harper. “The event is so much more entertaining for the general public when they can tune in to the same music we’re hearing on site.”
Entry onto the museum grounds will begin at 6:00 pm, with overflow parking in the NMSU-A Science Center lot. Additional parking will be available at the Tays Special Events Center and the smaller student parking lot on the West side of Scenic Drive. People in the overflow parking lots should be aware that there is no tailgating, fireworks, or alcohol allowed on university property. Tailgating will be allowed in the lots at the Museum, although charcoal grills are banned for fire safety reasons.
The Museum grounds will be closed to the public at 5:00 pm on July 4th. Only those with Museum VIP Parking Passes will be allowed onto the Museum grounds at 6:00 pm. However, the show may be viewed from almost anywhere in the city.
Each year, traffic flow is a major consideration of event organizers. “The Alamogordo Department of Public Safety works closely with us to insure maximum safe traffic flow both into the event and afterwards. We work hard every year to make sure traffic flow is as safe and expedient as possible,” said Harper, “and we encourage everyone to be courteous to each other and our city police officers who will be directing traffic.”
The July 4th Centennial Fireworks Extravaganza is sponsored by the New Mexico Museum of Space History, the International Space Hall of Fame Foundation, the City of Alamogordo, New Mexico State University Alamogordo, and Burt Broadcasting. In addition, the Alamogordo Department of Public Safety, City Fire Departments, County Fire Departments, the Lincoln National Forest and a large contingency of volunteer fire and safety personnel make the event possible.