For the first time in recent memory El Pasoans celebrating our nation's birthday at Music Under the Stars will not be doing so at the Chamizal.

Instead the annual Fourth of July concert and fireworks show is being held at Cohen Stadium this year.

Ben Fyffe, Assistant Director City of El Paso Museums & Cultural Affairs Department, said the change was made at the request of the United States Department of the Interior, which oversees the Chamizal National Memorial. The government agency cited “the cost of holiday and overtime pay” and manpower concerns as the reason why, adding hosting the event was “an additional expenditure that the park budget can no longer absorb."

The venue will be different, but like last year, this year's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular will feature country music not patriotic music. Former Las Cruces police officer turned Country music singer Frank Gomez, who goes by the stage name Frank Ray, will headline the pre-fireworks concert.

Frank Ray Music

But if two-steppin' and boot-scootin' isn't 4th of July-ish enough for you and you'd much rather commemorate our country's independence with the time-honored tradition of patriotic music, there is another Northeast option.

Besides programming the MUTS Independence Day Concert, MCAD also makes possible the annual 'Pop Goes The Fort’ at Biggs Park on Fort Bliss with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra.

And if you prefer to stay on the Chamizal side of town, there's an alternative for you too. In response to the change in venue for Music Under the Stars, El Paso County will be hosting a day-long 4th of July celebration at Ascarate Park that will culminate with fireworks over Ascarate Lake.