Rain forces change of plans for Independence Day celebration

By EMIL WHITIS
Daily Press Staff Writer
Due to recent torrential downpours, Mike Deans and the Sons of Thunder Pyrotechnic Crew have been forced to reschedule their Fourth of July fireworks display. The show will now take place Monday at 9 p.m. in Jaycee Park.
Hayley Klein, director of the Artesia Chamber of Commerce, said Jaycee Park is like a swamp, making it impossible for Deans to move his equipment to the park. Klein also cited an 80 percent chance of rain on Saturday night as a major factor in the decision.
The Annual Artesia Coed Volleyball tournament has been postponed. Announcement of a new date is pending. Questions concerning the event can be answered by contacting Stacy Gowen at 575-746-2354.
All other events will continue as planned. The Firecracker Golf Scramble will commence Saturday at 8 a.m. at the Artesia Country Club, the Fourth of July Parade Saturday at 9 a.m. in the Bulldog Bowl parking lot and the Firemen’s Olympics immediately following the parade at 10 a.m. in Central Park.
Klein stated the decision to maintain the scheduled date for the parade was made because it was necessary to secure a permit from the New Mexico Department of Transportation to close Main Street (U.S. 82) as it is under the department’s jurisdiction. To reschedule the Chamber of Commerce would be forced to reapply for a permit allowing the street to be shut down on a different date. She said the process is too convoluted to attempt with the holiday quickly approaching.
With regard to the Firemen’s Olympics Klein stated, “It doesn’t matter if they get a little wet — they’re going to be wet anyways.”
She added it would be difficult to reschedule as the Artesia Fire Department was forced to obtain a food permit and the process would have to be duplicated in order to set a different date.
For more information concerning Fourth of July festivities in Artesia contact the Artesia Chamber of Commerce at 575-746-2744.