The price of patriotism is too much for some local communities. The down economy forces a few of them to cancel July 4th fireworks displays.
"Part of 4th of July is fireworks, without fireworks, it doesn't feel like 4th of July," said Cleveland resident Julia Brown.
"That's [fireworks] part of it, it always has been, always will be," said Mansfield resident Joann Gradel.
Fourth of July and fireworks go hand in hand. But the tough economy, is forcing some communities to go without the colorful displays this year.
"People are hurting, they don't have the money, the towns don't either," said Mansfield resident Ed Gradel.
The city of Parma announced it was canceling it's Independence Day tradition because the city can't afford it. There'll be no bombs bursting in air over Euclid this year either.
Tom Newman, executive director of The Flats Oxbow Association, says it's been tough, but he has managed to get enough donations and sponsors to keep Cleveland's fireworks display. The Flats Oxbow Association, which organizes the event.
Newman says the fireworks, public safety costs and cleanup can cost between $80,000 and $100,000.
"It's gonna be just slightly smaller than last year," said Newman. "First Energy is the largest stakeholder we have that donates the largest amount of money and when the county pulled out, we thought that we were gonna just not be able to do it."
But the show in Cleveland will go on, minus a traditional waterfront festival. "We called it Flats Fest and it was a three day event, but this year we had to scale back to a one day event," he says.
"I think it's something they should splurge on, it's a fun holiday," said Brown.
The city of Ashtabula announced this week that it was canceling this year's fireworks celebration. But soon after word got out, several local businesses stepped up with donations to keep it going.
"Part of 4th of July is fireworks, without fireworks, it doesn't feel like 4th of July," said Cleveland resident Julia Brown.
"That's [fireworks] part of it, it always has been, always will be," said Mansfield resident Joann Gradel.
Fourth of July and fireworks go hand in hand. But the tough economy, is forcing some communities to go without the colorful displays this year.
"People are hurting, they don't have the money, the towns don't either," said Mansfield resident Ed Gradel.
The city of Parma announced it was canceling it's Independence Day tradition because the city can't afford it. There'll be no bombs bursting in air over Euclid this year either.
Tom Newman, executive director of The Flats Oxbow Association, says it's been tough, but he has managed to get enough donations and sponsors to keep Cleveland's fireworks display. The Flats Oxbow Association, which organizes the event.
Newman says the fireworks, public safety costs and cleanup can cost between $80,000 and $100,000.
"It's gonna be just slightly smaller than last year," said Newman. "First Energy is the largest stakeholder we have that donates the largest amount of money and when the county pulled out, we thought that we were gonna just not be able to do it."
But the show in Cleveland will go on, minus a traditional waterfront festival. "We called it Flats Fest and it was a three day event, but this year we had to scale back to a one day event," he says.
"I think it's something they should splurge on, it's a fun holiday," said Brown.
The city of Ashtabula announced this week that it was canceling this year's fireworks celebration. But soon after word got out, several local businesses stepped up with donations to keep it going.
