Academy cancels July 4th celebration due to sequestration

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U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  The Air Force Academy's annual Independence Day celebration has been canceled due to budgetary concerns from sequestration, Academy officials announced March 20.

Sequestration has forced the Academy to cut back on many activities it would normally support, said Academy Public Affairs Director Lt. Col. John Bryan.

"Faced with so many uncertainties about the future budget, we have to look at ways to save money," Bryan said. "The City of Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region are our family, and we look forward to getting this and other events back on track in 2014."

This marks the second-straight year the Academy has not held a fireworks show to celebrate Independence Day. The 2012 event was canceled due to the Waldo Canyon Fire.

UPDATE (March 22): The Colorado Springs Philharmonic announced it will hold an orchestra performance and fireworks show in a city park, according to a Colorado Springs Gazette article published March 22. Funding for the show, which costs between $80,000 and $100,000, will include $45,000 from the city's Lodgers and Automobile Rental Tax.

"We're so appreciative of everything the Academy has done," Colorado Springs Philharmonic President Nathan Newbrough told the Gazette. "We also understand the pressures are great, and we understand they're not able to participate this year."

The venue will be announced April 9.