Get your oohs and your ahhs ready.

Sunday's Independence Day fireworks show at Santa Fe High School's Ivan Head Stadium is going to be the best ever, at least according to the company supplying this year's fireworks.

"The fireworks folks tell me every year there's something bigger and better they have in store," says Al Padilla, director of the Santa Fe Boys and Girls Club, the group that volunteers each year to run the annual city-sponsored fireworks show. "So we'll see what they have in store for us this year. It's always fun and this year won't be any different."

Padilla said the city has purchased $20,000 in fireworks, "which amounts to a 20-minute show."

Gates around the Santa Fe High campus open at 6 p.m. Sunday where cars will be charged $5 to park. Entering Ivan Head Stadium for the show, where three bands will be among the pre-dusk entertainment, will cost another $1.

After expenses, the remaining profit is donated to the Boys and Girls Club.

"Some years we make money, some years we don't, but it's always fun," Padilla said.

But the fireworks display at Santa Fe High is hardly the only Independence Day celebration going on around Northern New Mexico. Clear your schedule for these holiday weekend events:


Where: The Plaza in downtown Santa Fe

When: Sunday, 7 a.m. to noon

Events: Pancakes! In addition to the pancake breakfast, there is an arts and crafts fair, live music, vintage car show and other activities.

Cost: Breakfast plates are $6 in advance/$7 day of event. Tickets available at all local banks and credit unions or online at www.pancakesontheplaza.com. Proceeds benefit local charities.

Parking: The city of Santa Fe parking division is providing free shuttles to the Plaza for the event. Shuttles will begin picking people up at the South Capital station (off Cordova Road and St. Francis Drive) and at the Railyard at 6:30 a.m. with service every 15 minutes. Parking at the South Capitol station is free and $1 at the Railyard's underground parking garage.


Where: Hondo Fire Station No. 1 on Seton Village Road (Seton Village/Sunlit Hills exit off Old Las Vegas Highway)

When: Sunday, noon to 3 p.m.

Events: There will be games and the fire department will perform a "jaws of life" demonstration and Sparky the Fire Dog will be on hand with safety tips and available for photos with kids. Volunteers from the Española Animal Shelter will be on hand with pets for adoption.

Cost: Free


Where: Cochiti Lake area

When: Sunday, 11 a.m. (parade), noon (picnic)

Events: Picnic, parade and live concert

Cost: Admission free, picnic $5


Where: Eagle Nest school on S. Tomboy Drive and Eagle Nest Lake (Sunday evening)

When: Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 5:30 p.m. begins the Family Fun event which will conclude with fireworks over the lake around 9 p.m.

Events: Vendors selling various wares Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the day, including the fireman's barbecue and bake sale on Sunday and parade at 2 p.m. The Family Fun event at Eagle Nest lake begins at 5:30 p.m. with fireworks after dark.


Where: Taos

When: Sunday, noon to nightfall

Events: Food, music and homemade floats on display during the day. As night falls, the Taos Volunteer Fire Department and the Town of Taos are co-sponsoring a free fireworks show from Filemon Sanchez Park.

Cost: Free


Where: La Tienda, 7 Caliente Road at the corner of Vista Grande and U.S. 285 in Eldorado

When: Sunday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Events: All-you-can-eat pancake breakfast; $5 adults, $3 for children age 10 and younger; parade begins at 10 a.m.; from noon, bounce room and balloons and a bicycle skills course for kids, stagecoach rides for all ages, free Frisbees from Mike's Music Exchange, Tarot card readings, classic cars, and a free concert. Food available from La Plancha, Lamy Station and Gene's Sandwich Shop.

Cost: Admission is free.


Despite some recent moisture, much of New Mexico's public lands will have some form of fire restrictions in place for the holiday weekend.

A multi-agency news release this week indicated the state has seen 584 wildfires so far in 2010, of which 412 were human caused, burning more than 35,600 acres.

The Santa Fe National Forest remains under Stage 1 fire restrictions.

The restrictions mean campfires are allowed only in developed camp and picnic grounds where grills and grates are provided. Smoking is only allowed in vehicles in developed campgrounds or in areas with at least 3 feet of clearance of flammable material in all directions.

Fenton Lake and Hyde Memorial state parks are both recognizing the same Stage 1 restrictions.

Open fires of any kind are prohibited on any national wildlife refuge and restrictions vary for the national parks around the state.

Updates on fire restrictions can be viewed at www.nmfireinfo.com.

Contact Geoff Grammer at 986-3060 or ggrammer@sfnewmexican.com.