For Immediate Release 

SUBJECT: A SALUTE TO OUR VETERANS - Fireworks Extravaganza

JULY 4^TH - CIELO GRANDE RECREATION AREA

            The Roswell Sertoma Club along with the City of Roswell Fire Department, Roswell Recreation and Parks Department, Police and Streets Departments have teamed up to sponsor  the Roswell Sertoma Club Michael Satterfield Memorial Fireworks Extravaganza.   Mike Satterfield headed up the annual fireworks show for several years and his legacy will live on through the continuation of this project.  Tommy Garcia, Sertoma Club President said. The event couldn't be made possible without the hard work put forth by the fireworks committee and all of the organizations involved.  Participants in attendance will be able to enjoy an aerial display of unprecedented proportions that is free to the public.

A newly added portion to the event will be a Veteran's Barbeque being held at the Elks Lodge.  The purpose is to honor our area veterans and their families and to thank them for their service.  The Veteran's portion of the event will be on July 4^th from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Elks Lodge #969 located at 1720 N. Montana. This is an annual event designed to honor the "living veterans" along with the veteran's that have left us and their families.   

Live entertainment will kick off the festivities at the Cielo Grande Recreation Area starting at 5:30 p.m. with the ENMU-Roswell Community Band. The band will perform a patriotic music selection along with the ageless favorites which is guaranteed to impress people of all ages.

VIC FONTANA & THE AUTOMATICS will be the band of choice specializing in dance that leans heavily toward the style of Chicago and Motown favorites. Featuring five outstanding lead vocalists, a tight funky rhythm section and a screaming three piece horn section known as the world famous HORN DOGS. This band can also hit you with popular frat rock that includes a little taste of jazz and swing.  The repertoire ranges from hot rock-n-roll to rhythm and blues favorites from Aretha Franklin, The Young Rascals, Wilson Pickett to Sly and the Family Stone.  They will take the stage at 6:30pm. There is no charge to attend the concert and is being sponsored by the Roswell Parks & Recreation Department.

The City of Roswell would like to honor our fallen area soldiers that served in Iraq.  From Roswell, Army Sgt. Tommy Gray, Marine Sgt. Moses Rocha,  Army Pfc.Ricky Salas,Jr., and  Hondo�s Marine Lance Cpl. Steven Chavez all lost their lives in Iraq and this is our opportunity to acknowledge their sacrifice for our country.  We will also be honoring Lt. Greg Arnold, Roswell Firefighter who lost his life earlier this year. 

For safety concerns  we ask you not to bring your fireworks from home, nor your pets.  Additionally, College Street will be closed during the Fireworks Show from Sycamore to Montana. The Fireworks Show will follow at 9:15 p.m. and will be simulcast on 100.5 FM FOX with Roswell Radio. Food and beverage booths are available for $50.00 a booth to both non-profit and commercial vendors. To reserve a booth contact the John Z. Jerge, CPA at 627-7595 or for information on the Fireworks Show please contact Dusty Huckabeee at 420-5718.   

The Fireworks Extravaganza provides residents with a safe alternative to the possible injuries sustained by shooting off personal fireworks. The sponsors of the event are committed to providing an event that improves the quality of life for the residents of Chaves County.    The show is set off electronically as opposed to someone physically igniting each launching device.  It will be choreographed to patriotic music and the fireworks extravaganza is expected to be even more dazzling than last year's event.  The show expected to last 30 minutes and organizers would like to remind everyone that College Street will be closed during the fireworks show.  To avoid parking complications please arrive early and bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit on. 

Joe Vargas,  Special Events Supervisor  said "This is our gift back to the citizens of this fabulous community. Just one more way to bring families together for a safe, fun, alcohol free event."

For more information on the Michael Satterfield Memorial Fireworks Extravaganza please contact the Roswell Recreation Department at 624-6720.  The Sponsors of the annual Fireworks Show are the Roswell SERTOMA Club,  Roswell Fire Dept., Roswell Parks & Recreation Dept., Roswell Police Department, Roswell Streets Department, Keep Roswell Beautiful, Roswell Fireworks Committee, Interstate Security,  & ELKS Lodge #969, Coca Cola,  KBIM Radio, Roswell Daily Record, Roswell Radio, and Best Western Sally Port Inn