The City of Hobbs Independence Day fireworks display is set for Saturday, July 1. The event will take place at the Hobbs Industrial Air Park (HIAP) – 5425 Jack Gomez Blvd. Gates open at 7:00 p.m., with the middle entrance providing quick access to handicap parking spaces.

Viewing areas plus contests, games and vendors will also be available at Harry McAdams Park (5300 Jack Gomez Blvd). Gates for parking here will also open at 7:00 p.m.

Schedule and Rules of Fireworks Display

• Gates open at 7:00 p.m.
• The air park’s middle entrance will provide quick access to handicapped parking spaces.
• “Movies Under the Stars” will start at sundown. Come early!
• The fireworks display will take place during an intermission of “Movies Under the Stars”. The show will last approximately 20 minutes.
• The public is PROHIBITED from lighting “fireworks of any kind at this location during the event.”
• “NO PARKING” signs will be placed in designated places. These “no parking” areas will be enforced.
• Police personnel will assist in directing traffic in and out of HIAP.
• Personal belongings should be protected.
• Trash must be disposed of in “proper receptacles”.
• Alcohol is not allowed.
• Inappropriate and/or disrespectful behavior to others “…may result in the offender(s) being asked to leave to maintain the health and safety of all.”

Safe Zone – July 2, 3 and 4

A Safe Zone will be hosted by the City of Hobbs at HIAP from Sunday, July 2 through Tuesday, July 4. Hours of operation are 8:00 p.m. – 11: 00 p.m. “Gates will be locked outside of these hours.”

“The Safe Zone is an opportunity for those present to light any type [any size] of fireworks regardless of whether they are legal within Hobbs city limits. This is an opportunity for everyone to indulge and safely enjoy this time of year,” states a City of Hobbs press release (PDF).

• No explosive items other than fireworks will be permitted to be “lit or blown up”.
• Alcohol is prohibited.
• “Participants are expected to dispose of their trash appropriately and to leave the area clean without debris.”
• Anyone exhibiting inappropriate and/or disrespectful behavior may be “asked to leave to maintain the health and safety of all.”
• City of Hobbs personnel, including staff from the Fire and Police departments, will monitor the Safe Zone.

2003 Fireworks Hotline

The public is asked to call the City of Hobbs’ “Fireworks Hotline” not 911 to report “an excessive number of fireworks being lit and exploding in their neighborhood.”

Hotline numbers are:

• (575)433-5001
• (575)433-5003
• (575)433-5004

General Information 

The public is reminded by the City of Hobbs that “the majority of Lea and Gaines counties are in a state of Severe to Moderate Drought status per the National Drought Mitigation Center…,” states the press release. As a result most communities in these two counties have enacted fireworks bans or restrictions. 

The press release continues, “While current weather conditions make it easy for wildfires to quickly spread, many behaviors and activities around this holiday place life and property at risk in cities as well. More than a quarter of fires reported on the 4th of July are caused by fireworks, showing that proper cautions were not taken and that users’ behaviors were not safe.”

The press release cautions, “Do not make yourself or your loved ones a statistic. It is the responsibility of us all to keep healthy, well-maintained properties and to monitor each other’s activities for a safer community.”

City of Hobbs Fire, Police, Parks and Open Spaces, Traffic, Streets, Communications and Recreation departments are working together to make the 2023 “event run smoothly”. These departments opted to hold the 2023 fireworks display on July 1 rather than on July 4 because of “…a common nationwide shortage of pyrotechnicians to safely work fireworks displays….” The City of Hobbs, because of this situation, was forced to be flexible when determining the date of this year’s festivities.

Please remember that all details regarding the 2023 Independence Day fireworks display and Safe Zone “…are subject to change or be canceled due to drought and safety concerns.”

Certified and trained professionals have been contracted by the City of Hobbs to conduct the event.

Updates about this year’s City of Hobbs Independence Day events will be available on the Facebook and Instagram pages of the city’s departments. The public may call (575) 397-9291 or message the city’s social media accounts for additional information or to ask questions. 

All activities of the City of Hobbs Independence Day celebration are pursuant to Hobbs Municipal Code, Section 8.12.040.