Many Ways To Celebrate July 4 Around State

New Mexicans have many reasons to attend safe, public events on Independence Day this year, as hot, dry weather grips the state and firefighters continue to battle wildfires throughout the region.

State and local agencies have banned fireworks on all state and private lands, throughout the Rio Grande bosque and Albuquerque open space lands.

Gov. Susana Martinez and fire officials urge New Mexicans to buy only nonaerial fire- works this year and to attend professional fireworks displays if you want to see the big rockets.

Fireworks and other public events are scheduled in cities and state parks statewide this week. They include:

Albuquerque: Freedom Fourth, 4-10 p.m. Wednesday at Balloon Fiesta Park, 4401 Alameda NE. ABQ Ride will offer bus service from St. Pius High School, 5301 St. Joseph NW, and Coronado Center, 6600 Menaul NE. Round-trip cost is $1 for adults and 35 cents for seniors, students and children 8 and younger.

Albuquerque: A fundraiser to benefit the African American Museum and Cultural Center of New Mexico will be held from 11 a.m. to

5 p.m. Wednesday at Mr. Powdrell’s Barbeque House, 5209 Fourth NW. The cost is $20 for a barbecue plate, $15 for a sandwich plate, $15 for a children’s plate and $5 for general entry with no food.

Rio Rancho: A fireworks display at 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Rio Rancho High School stadium, 301 Loma Colorado. Event is free; parking is $5. For more information, call 891-5015 or visit www.ci.riorancho.nm.us.

Eagle Nest Lake State Park: fireworks display at 8 p.m. Wednesday, sponsored by the village of Eagle Nest and Eagle Nest Chamber of Commerce. Call 575-377-1594.

Sumner Lake State Park: fireworks display at 9 p.m. Wednesday, sponsored by the Lake Sumner Fire Department. For more information call 575-355-2541.

Ute Lake State Park: fireworks display starts after dark Saturday, sponsored by the Logan Ute Lake Chamber of Commerce, the Logan Bass Club, village of Logan and village of Logan Lodgers Tax Board. For more information, call 575-487-2284.

For more information about upcoming events at state parks, visit www.nmparks. com.