Cities have been making new game plans, refusing to let budget woes dampen July 4th fireworks.

Since Maplewood canceled its fireworks this year as one of many budget cuts, cities such as St. Paul, Elk River and Eden Prairie have been re-strategizing to continue to light the night sky next weekend.

"A lot of cities have tried to do their [budget] cuts so citizens wouldn't notice, but some can't do that anymore," said Lena Gould, a policy analyst for the League of Minnesota Cities. "Cities only have what is available to them. So if they don't have a lot, then they turn to cut something like a fireworks celebration first."

Unlike Maplewood, which has typically paid for everything from the fireworks to the entertainment, Eden Prairie relies largely on donations from local businesses. This year, the city was more aggressive in asking for money and is up $2,400 in donations from the same time last year, said an organizer of the $20,000 show.

Richfield has stayed on top of this year's $5,000 cost increase, thanks to large donations from companies, such as Best Buy, said Frank White of Recreation Services.

In Elk River, where the Chamber of Commerce canceled the fireworks last year because of financial struggles, residents have taken the initiative to ensure it wouldn't happen again.

Elk River Star News Editor Jim Boyle rallied community members and formed a committee. He said the key has been to seek small donations from more people rather than relying on one large donation from a single business.

St. Paul's Taste of Minnesota has experimented with how to cover its costs. In an attempt to give people their money's worth for the $20 admission, the Taste has shifted its focus from quantity to quality, said Mark Faris, a spokesman for the festival. Instead of offering fireworks all four nights, there now will be a display only on the 4th, putting resources toward upgrading the food and entertainment.

"Historically, there has been an expectation and high demand on the 4th rather than the other nights," Faris said. "So we decided to take some of that money and roll it into general improvements across the board."

Minneapolis' Red, White, and BOOM! event is expanding, and at minimal cost, said Erik Rudolf of the Park Board. This year it will offer activities on July 3 in addition to the 4th, with a free concert and free showing of the movie "Independence Day."

"Fortunately for us, our annual 4th of July is a lot of free music and fireworks paid for by residents and businesses. We've always seen really great support, even over the last few years. It still hasn't tapered off at all."

Instead of an event for the 4th, Fridley celebrates its '49er Days Festival each year at the end of June, fireworks and all. The past few years, the difficulty of raising the $20,000 needed to put on the event has brought '49er Days close to shutting down.

"The last two to three years have been tight, and we're still seeing that this year," said Linda Borman, the parade chair for the past 14 years. "People are hanging onto their money, rather than willingly making larger donations."

As a result of closed wallets and tightened purse strings, the event has been reduced from five days to three. Borman knew there was one thing organizers refused to skimp on -- the fireworks.

"It draws people out for the final night," he said. "You have the bands, the beer tents, dances, and those draw people because they want to see the big fireworks show."

Hannah Gruber • 612-673-4864