Preparations underway for large fireworks shows

LAS CRUCES – Two major fireworks displays are planned in and around Las Cruces in the coming 10 days. The Southern New Mexico Speedway, which claims to have the best fireworks show in Las Cruces, will have its fireworks show this Saturday evening at the racetrack.

Speedway General Manager Rue Stone and Speedway owner Royal Jones are committed to bringing the community a dazzling display.

“The fireworks will be all shapes and sizes,” Stone said. “We have a range of cakes and shells for this show.”

The show will cost roughly $100,000 to put on and will be funded by Mesilla Valley Transportation, which Jones also owns. It will feature vendors, live music and car races.

Vendors will serve cold beverages, burgers, nachos, burritos and more. Music will be provided by the famous Gadsden drum band. Car races will include USRA modifieds, street stocks, Casa Nissan Legends cars, mini sprints, and super cars.   

“This is going to be a huge show,” Stone said. “The best in the state.”

Las Cruces firework enthusiasts seem to agree that the fireworks display at the Speedway is impressive.

“The show itself is spectacular, such a wide range of fireworks used,” Ashley Schoenradt said. “It's awesome because you can feel it when they light them.”

Hannah Burlbaw also said the Speedway show never disappoints.

“It seems more coordinated,” Burlbaw said. “They light more than a couple at a time and always have a good grand finale.”

“It’s long, huge and awesome,” said Desarae Saenz.

Gates will open at 5 p.m. and races will start at 7:45 p.m. The fireworks show will last approximately 30 minutes. General admission is $15. The family pack admission includes two adults and up to four children for $30. Ages 10 and under are free. Pit passes are $30 dollars. More information can be found at snmspeedway.com.

City of Las Cruces events

On the Fourth of July, the city of Las Cruces fireworks show will take place at the Field of Dreams. Last year, an estimated 30,000 people attended the event, according to Robert Caldwell, special events coordinator for the city.

“Last year, we had an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 show up for the Electric Light Parade,” Caldwell said. “But because the Fourth fell on a Saturday last year, in the middle of a three-day weekend. With the Fourth falling on a Monday this year, I think travelers will be back in town, as most people will have to work Tuesday. We’re expecting that to increase attendance this year.”

This year, the city expects to spend an estimated $150,000 on Fourth of July festivities, including staff time, production costs, fireworks and entertainment. The city will spend $35,000 on a 25-minute fireworks show this year, Caldwell said.

The free event will also feature live entertainment by R&B/soul act Tony! Toni! Toné! and country artist Jo Dee Messina. The fireworks display is scheduled to begin at 10:30 p.m.

Worth the trip

For those who will find themselves in Roswell on Independence Day, the city is known for putting on a fireworks show that rivals larger cities. This year, the Roswell Sertoma Club Michael Satterfield Memorial Fireworks Extravaganza will take place at Cielo Grande Recreation Area starting at 6 p.m. July 4. It will feature live music by the Kumbia King All Starz, a Mexican-American cumbia group from Corpus Christi, Texas, created by A.B. Quintanilla. The fireworks show will follow at 9:15 p.m. and will be simulcast on Hot 97.1 FM.

Like both Las Cruces displays, the show is detonated electronically. Members of the Roswell Fire Department wire the pyrotechnics for detonation and set them off — for which they receive special training, according to Roswell public information officer Todd Wildermuth.

Calls requesting the cost of the Roswell fireworks display were not returned Friday.

Freelance reporter Spencer Taylor contributed to this story.

Damien Willis may be reached at 575-541-5468, dawillis@lcsun-news.com or @damienwillis on Twitter.