Fireworks light up Portales sky

[email protected]

Emma Baca, 9, smiled as the fireworks lit up the sky on Friday at the Eastern New Mexico University Greyhound Arena. But there was one problem.

“The bugs keep attacking me,” Emma complained.

link Staff photo: Joshua Lucero

Miriam Morales, 12, left, tries to light fireworks with her sister Jennifer Morales, 10, as the Portales Fourth of July celebration begins Friday evening at the Eastern New Mexico University track.

Emma’s mother, Jodi Baca, said she loved the fireworks, but she had to keep kicking off the bugs.

Otherwise, for more than 200 who came out to the Fourth of July celebrations, the night was enjoyed.

Karl Terry, director of the Roosevelt County Chamber of Commerce said it was a beautiful day for the celebration.

“It is really nice day. It will be a great night,” Terry said.

Christine Wallace, a Portales resident, found the weather relaxing as her Fourth of July was all about being with family.

“The best part is spending time with my family,” said Wallace, who works as a machine operator.

Wallace, to get into the patrotic spirit, read up on American history and watched “The Alamo.” Wallace also dressed the part wearing a American flag T-shirt with a bald eagle, one of many decked out in red, white and blue gear for the day.

Also dressed in red, white and blue, Madison Blue, 3, was certainly enjoying the holiday with her grandmother, Lugine Blue. Madison was given handful bang snap that she threw on the ground and they popped much to her enjoyment.

“I’m playing with fireworks,” Madison smiled as she keep throwing them on the sidewalk.

Lugine Blue said Madison’s father is a Marine who has been deployed in Afganastan and Iraq, so this holiday is special.

“We are glad he is home and safe,” Blue said.

link Staff photo: Joshua Lucero

Residents of Portales and Clovis sat on the hill outside of the Greyhound Arena to watch the Portales fireworks display finale.

Another military family got to enjoy its first Independence Day in the States, as it had been deployed in Japan.

Elizabeth C. (who did not disclose her family’s last name due to operational concerns) and her family have only been in the states for two weeks and are still living in a hotel.

“It is very different celebrating here, but we are enjoying ourselves,” Elizabeth C. said.

Everyone at the event were able to watch the fireworks with 3-D glasses provided by the Chamber of Commerce. The fireworks were also set to a soundtrack that included “God Bless America,” to “Let It Go.”