No green means no red-white-and-blue spectacular for some cities and towns this July Fourth

No bucks, no boom for Fourth of July

WASHINGTON — Expect fewer booms this July Fourth because of financial busts in some cities and towns.

As many folks pack up picnics and head to see the fireworks this holiday weekend, the skies over a couple dozen cash-strapped communities will be still of the spectacular crackle of color that Americans associate with the nation’s birthday. Blame the economy.

Cities and towns scattered across the country were forced to pull the plug on their local fireworks shows because of tight budgets.

While some communities struggled to find donors or had to cancel altogether, the fireworks industry itself is booming.

Industry officials say about two-thirds of the revenue last year was for consumer fireworks, sold most commonly at neighborhood stands.