Towns save by holding fireworks early

Middletown (WTNH) - Cities and towns in Connecticut have been struggling to find money to hold 4th of July celebrations. But  Middletown got creative and found ways to save some dollars.

"It's a 20-minute fireworks display; it's about $3,000 a minute," said Mayor Sebastian Giuliano.

This year, the holiday is on Saturday, so holiday pay would've meant over $20,000 extra for the city of Middletown. Their 4th of July fireworks show already costs about $65,000, so Mayor Guiliano actually cut it out from this year's budget. City council put it back in with one stipulation: the celebrations have now officially been moved to Thursday night.

"I think it's fine, it gives people who are going away for the weekend a chance still to be able to see the fireworks here in Middletown," said Diane Nowack of Middletown.

They're not the only ones playing the budget shuffle. In Meriden, they scrapped their show altogether knowing the Westfield mall is doing a big event. In Wallingford, it was on the chopping block but town councilors found a compromise -- $30,000 they're saving on insurance. Everett Hall has lived there over 45 years.

"Yeah, my wife and I go every year," said Hall.

He says it simply wouldn't be the 4th without fireworks. Wallingford has had some layoffs but the show doesn't cost enough to off-set something like that. And many say, it is the birth of our nation, it is important.

"I think it's a good idea because you know, we gotta celebrate the 4th, gotta have a little fun once in a while," said Hall.

Middletown's mayor said moving their show will help businesses who usually close on the holiday; now they can capitalize on a crowd of about 15,000.

"The whole crowd has something to do after the fireworks are over; you don't have to just sit in traffic, you can go to any of the places we have," he said.