It seems that the sky will be just as bright this Fourth of July as in past years. But that doesn’t mean the economy hasn’t taken its toll.

A number of cities have dropped their fireworks displays because of costs, said Gary Markenson, executive director of the Missouri Municipal League.

“When you’re laying off police officers, it’s hard to blow up $15,000 worth of gunpowder,” he said. “I think the general public would prefer that fireworks demonstrations are cut before firemen.”

Fireworks displays have been canceled this weekend at locations including Lake Contrary, Blue Springs, Mo., and Shawnee Mission Park in Kansas, due to lack of funding. That trend may continue if the economy continues to slump.

Julie L. Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association, said the recession has caused a 10 percent decline in business for some fireworks companies from last year.

“We’ve not seen communities struggle to the level that they are this year to be able to fund their shows,” she said.

But in several area towns, such as Maryville, Cameron and Bethany, the fireworks show goes on, thanks to partnerships with local government and other groups, like radio stations or the chamber of commerce.

In Maryville, the city has partnered with a local radio station, 97.1 The ‘Vill, for the past 13 years. At first, the station was the sole sponsor of the $10,000 Independence Day Fireworks, but when Mozingo Lake Park opened, the city agreed to help fund the event to promote the new part of the city.

In Cameron, the chamber of commerce has teamed up with the city for the past five years to provide residents with the Fourth of July Celebration Event. Every year, the chamber applies for funding with the city.

“We have a cooperation agreement with the city, who matches our funds for the fireworks,” said Artis Stoebener, executive director of the chamber.

In the past, $5,000 was spent on the fireworks display, but this year, because of rising costs, the partners have spent $6,000 in order to maintain the same quality of show.

Ms. Stoebener believes that the economy will have no effect on future events, because the chamber and the city feel that it’s critical to recognize and honor the many veterans in their town for what they have made possible.

“It’s all for the greater good, so we work together on that,” Ms. Stoebener said.

Rose Ferimore is the treasurer of Bethany Fair Inc., a non-profit organization that runs the Northwest Missouri State Fair and the Fourth of July fireworks display. She explained that the economy has had no effect on their funding this year, and the display actually will be bigger than in years past.

The approximately $3,500 show is sponsored by the organization’s board this year, but Ms. Ferimore believes the economy could eventually affect future funding.

“I definitely think it depends on what happens in the coming year,” she said. “But we always try to offer something to the community because they support us.”

Ms. Heckman agrees, and believes that since the economy has caused a decline in travel and tourism, it is more important than ever to continue having hometown celebrations.

“Small towns and big cities alike realize the importance of continuing this annual tradition of providing their citizens with free entertainment to celebrate our freedom and independence,” Ms. Heckman said.