Yes...New Mexico is part of the United States (at least for now...next year I may have to use my passport to fly outside of NM because of the RealID Act, but that's another story) and we do celebrate the Fourth in the grand style Carlsbad is known for.
First, we have not one but TWO parades. Apparently, there used to only be one but there was a disagreement between organizers on whether to start/stop in the same place and instead of one backing down or coming to a resolution, they just went there separate ways. So now there are two parades, one starting at 8am and one starting at 10am. Both too early in my opinion.
All this week at work we've been getting safety e-mails (my workplace is HUGE on safety). This was the first time though that I've seen a Fourth of July safety briefing that doesn't discourage doing fireworks at home. I'm used to the "Don't light fireworks at home, go to a professional show" type messages. There was nothing of the sort on these safety briefings...just safety tips for doing them at home.
But Carlsbad actually does have a decent professional show, so I've heard. They have it down at the park by the river, which is a block or two from my house so I'll mosey on there later today. They've been taking donations for it for about a month now, so it should be good. I've sent in my check to the fire department for it...so I better get my money's worth :-).
