Clear skies shine for regions Independence Day celebrations
Published: July 5, 2009
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As far as being "recession proof" goes, it's tough to beat hot dog sales on the Fourth of July.
Despite the faltering economy, Northeast Pennsylvanians didn't necessarily skimp this weekend on Independence Day celebrations. Fireworks still dazzled. Franks and burgers were still grilled.
"Fourth of July has to do with the weather, that's all it is," said Steve Schultz, meat department manager at Gerrity's on South Main Avenue in Scranton, where the holiday sales were right on pace. "If it's nice, you're going to sell."
The weather certainly cooperated - clear, sunny skies all day. Add in sharply reduced prices on steaks and hot dogs, and "you can't go wrong," Mr. Schultz said.
In the months leading up to Independence Day, the recession caused dozens of communities nationwide to cancel annual fireworks shows. Many more scaled back. In Lowell, Mass., a $45,000 display was scrapped entirely to save a city job.
But from Wilkes-Barre to Montrose, municipalities proved the shows must go on. In Jessup, $3,900 budgeted helped pay for a family festival today, organized with the borough's 21st Century Club. And as usual, Carbondale spent $5,000 on its own splash of pyrotechnics.
"When you deal with a $5 million budget, five grand isn't really make or break," Carbondale Mayor Justin Taylor said.
But it was almost a dark July 4 in Blakely. Councilman Bob Munley said when the volunteers from the local fire company said they couldn't put together this year's fireworks show, officials agreed the money was most needed back in the general fund.
"We have plenty of other areas that need funding," Mr. Munley said.
The Peckville Assembly of God, however, will be hosting a Fourth of July celebration today.
Jessup's mayor, Beverly Valvano Merkel, said fundraising and donations help ease costs.
"It's a communitywide thing, and we like to do what we can," she said.
A recession can squeeze wallets, but it can't devalue a time spent with family and friends.
At a West Scranton supermarket on Saturday, Frank Fratzola was stocking up on potato chips and hamburger meat, the hard times not at all a consideration. His mind was instead on getting home to a barbecue with his fiancée and future mother-in-law.
"Her mom's the good cook," he said. "I'm just going to back her up."
Contact the writer: jburton@timesshamrock.com
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