Your guide to Fourth of July events in Otero County

Juan Corral, Alamogordo Daily News
Updated ·3 min read
Use fireworks on a hard surface. Use fireworks on a hard, flat and level surface to insure the stability of the items, especially items that produce a thrust upon ignition. Grass, gravel and sand surfaces are not suitable for any item intended to be used in an upright position. Phantom Fireworks recommends that you lay down a piece of plywood.
Use fireworks on a hard surface. Use fireworks on a hard, flat and level surface to insure the stability of the items, especially items that produce a thrust upon ignition. Grass, gravel and sand surfaces are not suitable for any item intended to be used in an upright position. Phantom Fireworks recommends that you lay down a piece of plywood.

Editor's note: This story was corrected to reflect that parking at the New Mexico Museum of Space History for the Fireworks Extravaganza is free only for museum members.

July is around the corner and with it, so are fireworks. The fourth of July, a federal holiday since 1941 celebrates the birth of America’s independence.

Fourth of July is on a Tuesday this year but Alamogordo, Holloman Air Force Base and the Village of Cloudcroft will have events leading up to the holiday.

Here are some things to do in and around Otero County for the Fourth of July.

Fireworks Extravaganza and Chamber of Commerce Independence Day parade

The Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce will have its annual Independence Day parade will begin at 10 a.m. Salute to Freedom is this year's theme.

It will start at Oregon Ave., travel down 10th St. and end at New York Ave.

"We will not be allowing for candy to be thrown and people on the float have to stay on the float, it is for safety reasons and to prevent a lot of trash from accumulating," Administrative Director at the Chamber of Commerce Cami Shoemaker said.

Shoemaker said people interested in being a part of the parade and submitting their floats can pick up paperwork at the City of Commerce office at 1301 N. White Sands Blvd.,

There is a $10 entry fee and the deadline to submit paperwork is 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 28.

The Fireworks Extravaganza is scheduled for 9:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. July 4. The event is sponsored by the City of Alamogordo and hosted on New Mexico Museum of Space History grounds at 3198 State Rd.

Museum members can park at the museum for free with as many guests as long as the car has a foundation member present.

Fourth of July at the Alamogordo Recreational Center

The Alamogordo Recreation Center at 1100 Oregon Ave will open its pool to the public for free between 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. July 4.

There are no classes or lap swimming July 4. There are no age limits and any one is welcome.

Flickinger Center celebrates Fourth of July

Flickinger Center for Performing Arts in Alamogordo, New Mexico
Flickinger Center for Performing Arts in Alamogordo, New Mexico

The New Mexico U.S. Army Band will be performing at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 2 at the Flickinger Center, 1110 New York Avenue in Alamogordo.

The event is free and officials at the Flickinger center urge people to get their tickets ahead of time at the box office to avoid missing the event as seats are limited.

The concessions will be open for food and drinks to be purchased during the event.

The Village of Cloudcroft Fourth of July parade, Independence Day Through the Decades

The Village of Cloudcrofts' Independence Day through the Decades, parade will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 1, downtown along Burro Ave.

Any organizations that wish to be in the parade must sign up by June 28 and can do so at this link.

Project Coordinator Vyanca Vega said participants are encouraged to dress in their upmost patriotic spirit. She hopes future fourth of July parades can continue to be celebrated and kept a tradition.

Freedom Festival at Holloman AFB

The Holloman Air Force Base Force Support Squadron (FSS) will host its annual Freedom Festival from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, June 30 at the football field across from the Domenici Fitness Center on base.

This event is not open to the public but is open to Department of Defense (DoD) ID cardholders and anyone sponsored by one. Any DoD ID cardholders must first get a base pass for the family members they wish to sponsor and bring on base for the event.

The event is free and will have a live concert from Runaway June and local country artist Dusty Low with times to be determined. There will be a variety of vendors and activities such as water slides and a mechanical bull.

The festival will also hold a hot dog eating contest and tug of war competition. For more details about Freedom Fest people can visit the FSS website. There are only 10 slots available for the hot dog eating contest so base officials “double dog dare you” to sign-up.

Juan Corral can be reached at JCorral@gannett.com or on twitter at @Juan36Corr.

This article originally appeared on Alamogordo Daily News: Fourth of July in Otero County. Check out these fireworks events