The City of Alamogordo’s annual July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza, a community tradition for 37 years, is scheduled for Saturday, July 4th. Coordinated by the New Mexico Museum of Space History, the show is one of the largest in the state.
“The Fireworks Extravaganza is a tribute to our community and the pride that we have in our country,” said New Mexico Museum of Space History Executive Director Chris Orwoll. The theme for this year’s show isApollo 13. Museum staff has been working closely with choreographers from PyroShows of Texas, the company producing the event, to create a unique mix of music and sounds to complement the fireworks. “Whether you view the show from the museum grounds, or from your backyard, we highly encourage everyone to tune into the choreographed music 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 a benefit of the Smithsonian levels of museum membership and are also available as an add-on for standard memberships. 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. Gasoline Alley is a local favorite, winner of more than one area competition, and they will be playing a mix of classic rock and country.
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 are no tailgating, fireworks or alcohol allowed on university property. Tailgating will be allowed in the lots at the Museum, although charcoal grills and personal fireworks are banned for fire safety reasons. Sparklers are allowed.
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 City of Alamogordo Police Department 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 Police Department, City Fire Department, County Fire Departments, the Lincoln National Forest and a large contingency of volunteer fire and safety personnel make the event possible.
The New Mexico Museum of Space History, a Smithsonian affiliate, is a division of the NM Department of Cultural Affairs. For more information on Museum events or on how you can become a member of the International Space Hall of Fame Foundation, call 437-2840 or 1-877-333-6589, or visit the website atwww.nmspacemuseum.org.