Cost-Cutting July 4 Celebrations

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The city expects to spend in the neighborhood of $300,000 this weekend in activities that include a concert to celebrate our nation's birthday.

A spokesman for the Special Events department says that is about $50,000 less than last year.

In nearby St. Simons Island in Georgia, the traditional Sunshine Festival is being scrapped this year to accommodate leaner times.

This weekend there will be still be a fireworks display, but entertainment and food booths will be absent, since Glynn County decided it cannot afford the overtime for security and trash pickup.

Tim Matthews is a longtime merchant in the Pier Village and expects a big crowd anyway.

"There's still going to be 10,000 plus people here like in years past," said Matthews.

In Jacksonville, downtown hotels are filling up, especially for Saturday night. Management for the Hyatt told First Coast News it expects all 966 rooms to be in use, nearly all reserved by people who want to be downtown for the Fourth of July celebration.

Another celebration that attracts thousands is the fireworks show in downtown St. Augustine, set for 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

Paul Williamson with St. Augustine Public Affairs division says no cuts have been made in the 20-minute show that has a $50,000 price tag.

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