SOUTH SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC 4 News)- Is this the final year for fireworks at Sugar House Park? With the economy down, many cities are scaling back their fireworks programs this Fourth of July.

It looks like that might be happening in Salt Lake City. A lack of money and no sponsor could bring an end to an annual Independence Day celebration. Sugar House Park officials say they spent $27-thousand dollars on last year’s event. They say the money can be used better in other areas.

But, in South Salt Lake City their 29-year fireworks tradition lives on. Thanks in part to the city doing their show on the cheap. Friday night at Granite High School, fireworks expert Bruce Shoemaker was working hard putting the final touch on a light show extravaganza. Shoemaker says, "That’s what we’re trying to do, as cheap as possible.”

Shoemaker who also doubles as the city’s fire marshal says he drives to California and has his explosives sent back to Utah. In these tough times, South Salt Lake City is among the leanest cities around. Shoemaker says,” By not having to pay our people a lot we’re able to put more back into the show.”

Shoemaker’s shirt says it all,” Light it now, worry later.” Shoemaker says, “It implies a hint of danger, but we try to be pretty safe about it.”