Where to see 4th of July parades, fireworks in El Paso County

Independence Day is one of the sparkiest holidays if you like noisy, colorful fireworks shooting in the skies.

In El Paso, there are usually several places where people can gather to see fireworks and fireworks stands within the county where people can buy certain types of fireworks. The County Commissioners recently voted on what kinds of fireworks are banned for this year's personal celebrations.

For those wanting to attend community celebrations, there are family-oriented events like the annual Fourth of July parades on both the West Side and the East Side, which celebrate in full and proud red, white and blue colors.

Here is your guide to the Fourth of July 2024 in the El Paso area, from popping fireworks, and seeing fireworks shows to fun events to attend.

Can we buy fireworks in El Paso County?

The El Paso County Commissioners Court voted on June 10 to ban the sale of certain fireworks - rockets with sticks and missiles with fins - for the July 4 holiday season. The vote was unanimous. The holiday season is from Monday, June 24 through Thursday, July 4.

That means El Pasoans can buy other fireworks from vendors, who have agreed to follow the court's ruling.

The Commissioners always consider the county's Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) in making their decisions. The KBDI index must be at least 575 or higher to ban fireworks. At the commissioners' court meeting, the commissioners heard that El Paso has a KBDI average of 753 as of July 10, which indicated a high risk of fire potential due to severe drought conditions.

El Paso County Judge Ricardo Samaniego said the firework vendors are good collaborators with the county and have committed to providing trash cans to help minimize the amount of trash during the holiday weekend. He also said they plan to get volunteers to go out and clean up fireworks debris after the holiday.

Where to buy fireworks in El Paso County

There are fireworks stands on the edges of the city: one on the Eastside along Montana, Stateline in Chaparral, and along Horizon Blvd. A new stand is at the Vista Quality Market, 10005 Alameda Ave., in Socorro.

Somos Church, 3701 N. Zaragoza Road, sells fireworks as a church fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily through July 4.

For information on TNT fireworks stands, go to: www.tntfireworks.com

Where to see fireworks in El Paso County

The El Paso Chihuahuas will celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks on July 3-4 at Southwest University Stadium. The El Paso Chihuahuas will be playing the Albuquerque Isotopes. Doors open at 6:35 p.m. Purchase tickets at www.elpasochihuahuas.com

Celebrating Independence Day, the Chihuahuas Team Shop will showcase exclusive Fourth of July tees and offer patriotic caps priced at $10 each on July 3. On July 4, a special Fourth of July jersey will debut. Additionally, fans attending the game can receive a complimentary patriotic cap with the purchase of $100 or more in the Team Shop while supplies last.

The El Paso Symphony Orchestra will perform in the Pop Goes the Fort concert, starting at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 4, at Biggs Park. The event will include the 1st Armored Division Band and fireworks following the performance. The park opens at 4:30 p.m. Free and open to the public.

The El Paso County Parks and Recreation Department will have a Fourth of July celebration from 3 to 11 p.m. July 4 at Ascarate Park, 6900 Delta Dr. There will be food trucks from 3 to 10 p.m. and fireworks starting about 9:20 p.m. Parking will be $5.

A VIP Picnic Party with good seat for the fireworks, which includes dinner from Clasico, backyard games, and live music by Frequenzia will also be available. Tickets are $45 for adults, and $10 for children, ages 6-17, available at the Pro Shop. Children 5 and under do not need a ticket, but a dinner plate will not be included.

Western Playland in Sunland Park, N.M., will celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks. The park will be open from 4 to 10 p.m., and the fireworks will go off at 9 p.m.

The Fourth Annual Red White and Brew Firework Show at Painted Dunes Desert Golf Course, 12000 McCombs St., will be from 6 to 10 p.m. July 3. There will be barbecue, live music, jumping balloons, and water slide. Fireworks later that evening. General admission tickets are $5, available online .

The Shoppes at Solana , 750 Sunland Park Dr., is gearing up for its Ultimate 4th of July Bash and first fireworks show. The event will be from 5 to 9 p.m. and include food trucks, unique vendors, live music, games and fireworks at 9 p.m.

Rotary Club of West El Paso's 4th of July parade

Beloved El Paso news anchor Estela Casas will be the parade marshall for the 26th Anniversary Independence Day Parade Thursday, July 4, in West El Paso.

The Rotary Club of West El Paso's Independence Day parade will start at 9 a.m. at Western Hills Methodist Church, 530 Thunderbird. It will turn left onto Thunderbird, then left at Shadow Mountain, right on Mesa and then proceed to Coronado High School.

This year, the parade will offer cash prizes for float winners: 1st place — $1000, 2nd place — $500, and 3rd place — $250. Judging criteria will include patriotic music, visual impact and patriotism.

To sign up for the parade go to July4parade .com to fill out an application online at the entry tab.

El Paso Del Norte Lions 4th of July Parade

The El Paso Del Norte Lions will be celebrating the 47th Annual 4th of July Parade, starting at 9 a.m. July 4 at Hanks High School, on Lee Trevino and Montwood streets. The parade will proceed on Montwood to Yarbrough, north to Album Avenue, and then to Album Park.

Ardovino's Desert Crossing 4th of July BBQ

The upscale Ardovino's Desert Crossing restaurant invites El Pasoans to an evening of delicious barbecue and classic menu, fun and a great view of surrounding fireworks displays on July 4. Festivities will begin at 5 p.m. Dinner reservations are recommended. Information: 575-589-0653 Ext. 1.

The restaurant will also offer a Sip and Paint of the Star on the Mountain from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4. The cost is $40, and it is open to kids (9 and up) and adults. Register online at labuenapaintparties.com

Cave Climbing Co. has 4th of July deal

The indoor climbing business, Cave Climbing Co., is offering $4 day passes for the 4th of July. The passes can be used from 4 to 10 p.m. July 4 at 113 Executive Center Blvd.

Ascarate Park pool open on 4th of July

Ascarate Pool will hold a swim session from noon to 5 p.m. on July 4. The entrance fee is $3 for adults and $2 for youth. Cash only. Re-entry will not be allowed.

Electric Light Parade in Las Cruces

The annual Electric Light Parade in Las Cruces will be at 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 3. The parade route begins at Apodaca Park, then runs west on Madrid, south on Solano, east on Hadley Ave. and finishes at Meerscheidt Recreation Center, 1600 E. Hadley Ave.

The parade will follow the Electric 5K and Fun Run at 7:30 p.m.

There will be parking restrictions and street closures throughout the route beginning at 5:30 p.m. Apodaca Park will close, and all vehicles will be asked to vacate the premises around the park by 1 p.m. to begin set up for float staging, except for the pickleball area which will remain open until 4 p.m.

The Regional Aquatic Center, 1401 E. Hadley Ave., will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will hold an open swim session from noon to 3 p.m. The Las Cruces Natatorium, 1405 E. Hadley Ave., will be open from 6 to 11 a.m. Meerscheidt Recreation Center, 1600 E. Hadley Ave. will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

No fireworks show in Alamogordo, N.M.

The Alamogordo tradition of watching the city’s Fourth of July fireworks display shot from the New Mexico Museum of Space History will take a hiatus for 2024 after city commissioners voted 4-3 to cancel this year’s event, according to the Alamogordo Daily News.

City Manager Rick Holden said he’d received a lot of inquiries about whether the City of Alamogordo would continue its big display, given the recent South Fork and Salt fires in the Ruidoso area. The item was added to the commission’s regular meeting agenda for Tuesday, June 25.

Before voting, the commission heard from Alamogordo Fire Department Chief Jerry Ramirez, who said many AFD firefighters and trucks had been sent to Ruidoso to work the fires.

For more information: www.alamogordonews.com

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María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com, @EPTMaria on Twitter; eptmariacg on TikTok .

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Where to see 4th of July parades, fireworks in El Paso County