By Marie McCain
The Cincinnati Enquirer

NEW RICHMOND - Don't expect fireworks to boom in the skies over this southwest Clermont County village of 2,200 this Fourth of July.

They've gone bust - at least for this year, officials say.

The quintessential small-town holiday has hit on hard times here. For the first time in more than 25 years of annual celebrations, New Richmond's Fourth of July parade will not be followed by fireworks.

Village Council, which usually kicks in $5,000 for the show, couldn't afford the tab this year.

It's a casualty of the village's belt-tightening, says Mayor Terry Durrette, adding that village leaders have already turned their focus to next year's event to ensure that fireworks are part of the festivities then.

In May, voters approved a tax increase to keep emergency services operating.

"I am going to miss the fireworks," Durrette said, adding that he, like many others, will head to the neighboring village of Moscow, which will have fireworks tonight.

Kimberly Green, coordinator of this year's Fourth of July parade in New Richmond, said Friday's parade will be followed by a car show.

In years past, a festival began after the parade, continuing until dark when the fireworks display would start. That festival would help raise the additional $4,000 needed for the fireworks, Green said.

But because there will be no fireworks, she decided not to hold the festival.

Donna Hammons, a long-time New Richmond resident, says she is disappointed, but still plans to attend the parade.

"I can remember as a child being held by my father watching the fireworks," Hammons says. "The Fourth of July is a pretty important holiday ... through the years it used to be the only event celebrated in the town."

This year's parade will start at 11 a.m. at Festival Park, Front Street and U.S. 52. It will proceed along Front Street to Susannah Way and turn along Western Avenue to Washington Street.

The car show will last from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will be near the end of the parade route along Susannah and Western, officials said.

Moscow's fireworks will shoot off tonight at the Old Moscow School in the center of the village. Music will begin about 8 p.m. and the fireworks will start about 10, officials said.

E-mail mmccain@enquirer.com

Fireworks and parades in the Tristate