Some fireworks companies have reported that business is off about 10 percent from last year, said Julie L. Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association, an industry group.
"We've not seen communities struggle to the level that they are this year to be able to fund their shows," she said.
Shows are being canceled from sea to shining sea:
— A $500,000 festival and fireworks display in San Jose, Calif., was canceled after the city cut grants to cover police and fire protection and other expenses to $17,000 from about $103,000, and other public and private sponsors cut back. The city's grant cutbacks came amid an $84 million budget shortfall that also has municipal workers forgoing raises and the city cutting back on road repairs.
"With a fireworks show, you can't really charge people to look up in the sky," said Fil Maresca, who had produced the show for 10 years.
— Local businesses in Charlottesville, Va., that organize the event are scaling it back this year and have already canceled it for next year.
"We thought it was just not the right year to be raising money for the fireworks when the food banks were suffering and more primary human services were at stake," said Dave Phillips, chairman of the organizing committee.
— In Hialeah, Fla., near Miami, an annual event was canceled this year because sponsorship money dried up in an area that's been especially hard hit by plunging housing prices. Organizers were short $20,000 to $25,000 to pay for the $40,000 to $45,000 show.
