Fireworks down, parades up this Fourth

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - It looks like the dry weather and wildfires are keeping people from buying fireworks in New Mexico this year but not keeping them home from parades and neighborhood events.

The manager of a fireworks stand in Albuquerque told KRQE News 13 sales are down just a bit.

And some people are complaining that they can't buy the big fireworks.

He's hoping that people are just procrastinating and will buy fireworks during the day.

The fireworks you buy at stands in the city are legal, but many others are not.

If you see or hear aerial or ground-burst fireworks those going off call the city's hotlines at 833-7335 or 833-7390. Only call 911 in an emergency or actual fire.

The Fourth of July celebrations started Wednesday morning with a parade in Corrales.

Thousands of people showed up to see the band, fire trucks and old cars.

A lot of them got drenched, too, with a water gun fight for the second half the parade.

And thousands of people in Rio Rancho saw the city's Fourth of July parade.

It started at 10 a.m. and went down Southern Boulevard with Boy Scouts, cool cars and a tribute to America's troops plus a bike parade and awards for the best-decorated kids' bikes.

And it's quite the party in the Vineyard Estates neighborhood in northeast Albuquerque.

About 250 people there held their own a parade, a 5K run and a carnival including a moonwalk, waterslide, dunk-tank and more.

This is the 12th year the neighborhood has organized the block party, and it's obvious the people there love it.

Here are some other fun and safe Fourth of July events going on around the metro area:

The Freedom Fourth Celebration at Balloon Fiesta Park starts at 4 p.m. and ends with a great fireworks show. Admission is free, but parking is $10 although park-and-ride locations with $1 tickets for adults are based at St. Pius High School on the West Side and at Coronado Mall in the northeast. 

You can also see fireworks Wednesday night after the Isotopes game against the Round Rock Express. Seats are sold out, but last report there were still standing-room-only tickets available.

And in Rio Rancho check out the Fireworks Extravaganza at the Rio Rancho High School football stadium. It starts with a movie at 6 p.m. and fireworks after.

And for more on holiday activities, news, recipes and a timeline on the history of the American flag, visit the special KRQE.com Fourth of July section .

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Correction: An earlier version of this story gave an incorrect number for the fireworks hotline. The correct numbers are above.