DALLAS — For years, Dallas residents have counted on fireworks lighting up the night sky celebrating the country's freedom on the Fourth of July.
That celebration was canceled last week.
Now just 11 days away, there is a major change for the celebration.
WFAA has learned Fourth of July at Fair Park will happen, but not on July 4.
Officials have less than two weeks to pull together the $100,000 extravaganza that will include a symphony, and a first-class display but everyone will have to wait an extra day.
"We will do the fireworks at Fair Park, but it will be Monday July 5th," said Craig Holcomb, Friends of Fair Park president.
Mayor Tom Leppert said two local businesses put up the money to stage the event.
"This is certainly an economically challenging time for City Hall, but Dr Pepper and Gold Metal Recyclers stepped up and basically said — this show must go on," the mayor said in a written statement.
Holcomb says because of the late notice, every major fireworks company was already booked for the 4th, but could do the show on the next day.
He's now scrambling to get police, the musicians, and all the other components together to beat the clock.
"We're going to put on this show," Holcomb said. "We don't know how, but we're going to do it."
The show was canceled last week because the city couldn't find enough corporate sponsors to pay for the event.
City Council member Dwaine Caraway gave the parks department an ultimatum Wednesday to make it happen.
"The fact that we are not having fireworks, then I reannounced we better have fireworks... or there will be fireworks right in here. We can either have them here or up in the air," he said.
But it was close. Holcomb said if the money hadn't been found in the next 24 hours, the show would have been dead. There simply wouldn't have been time to get it together.
"There are certain things that are sacred cows, and July 4th — celebrating independence and celebrating together — is one of those sacred cows," he said.
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