Staff Writer

ONEONTA — The Fourth of July is Tuesday, and it's conceivable that skyrocketing gas prices could play a role in how far people will travel for their holiday fireworks.

After all, the average price for a gallon of regular-grade gas has risen from about $1.19 last year to $1.97, according to AAA figures.

Energy Department statistics, however, showed gas prices nationwide dropped 3 cents a gallon during the last week.

Pat Fusko of Oneonta was filling up her Explorer this week with gas that costs $1.78 a gallon. But exorbitant prices, she said, aren't going to stop her from traveling to New York City for the Fourth of July holiday.

"We're going to the Bronx to visit family," Fusko said. "I'm one of the complainers who wishes prices would come down, but not even gas prices can come between our family."

Melanie Ramos of Cooperstown will be spending her Fourth of July at the Otesega Resort Hotel — as an employee.

"If we were to go away, we would be driving down to the city," Ramos said. "That's where I'm from."

Holiday travelers can expect to see an increased number of DWI patrols and sobriety checkpoints along state roads and highways, according to state police officials.

"It's traditional that people like to celebrate and kick off the beginning of the summer season, so we like to be diligent in our efforts to ensure that people are driving their vehicles safely and not under the influence," said Lt. Jamie R. Mills, director of public information for the state police.

In 1999, there were 18 motor vehicle accidents involving fatalities over the Fourth of July weekend statewide, said Ken Brown, a communications official with the Department of Motor Vehicles in Albany. This year, he said, the official count will begin today and last until Tuesday.

For those who plan to celebrate the nation's birthday closer to home, there is no shortage of events planned in the area.

One of those events, Springfield's great Independence Day Parade, has been a tradition in that community since 1914.

"We only had one cancellation in all those years," said parade chairman George Rutler of Springfield Center. "They called it off four years ago for bad weather."

Rutler, who has been on the parade committee for five years, remembered that last year's sweltering heat played a role in the Fourth of July festivities.

"It was so hot, marchers in the parade had people walking along them with spray bottles," he said.

But heat and rain hasn't kept many from enjoying the parade, Rutler added. "I never miss it. I'm amazed mostly at the crowd," he said. "Usually the place is pretty well deserted. Then, all of a sudden, you see 3,000 people on the street for the parade."

Whether rain is going to be a factor in this year's holiday activities remains to be seen. The National Weather Service in Binghamton is calling for partly sunny skies through Monday.

The 14th annual Hometown Fourth of July Celebration in Oneonta's Neahwa Park also promises to draw a crowd. Crowds of between 10,000 and 15,000 have been known to pack the park for the entertainment and fireworks.

The city of Oneonta Police Department will have additional officers on duty July 4 to help with the crowd at the park, Oneonta Police Detective Sgt. Joseph Redmond said.

"We'll have extra officers on to handle the influx of people during the Fourth of July holiday weekend," Redmond said.

Organized holiday fireworks shows will be held in seven area locations — Oneonta, Cooperstown, Downsville, Margaretville, Davenport, Cobleskill and Norwich.

"The best and safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend one of the hundreds of free, legal shows that will take place this Fourth of July holiday," said Debra Martinez, chairwoman of the state Consumer Protection Board.

Fireworks are illegal in New York state, where law specifically bars firecrackers, torpedoes, sky rockets, Roman candles, bombs and sparklers.

The most recent figures — both in New York state and nationally — suggest that fireworks injuries have declined slightly in recent years, said consumer protection board officials.

See related story: Fireworks displays

See related story: 4th of July events