Photos: Fireworks show lights up Cortez sky on Fourth of July

By Erika Alvero and Benjamin Rubin, The Journal

Saturday, Jul 5, 2025 12:16 PM Updated Saturday, Jul. 5, 2025 8:48 PM

Passersby enjoy the car show at the Cortez fireworks festivities on July 4. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal

Topping off the Independence Day celebration Friday in Cortez, the fireworks show was grand as ever.

Just west of Parque de Vida was a car show, put on by BumzArodn. Crowds leisurely strolled by looking at the cars while more canopies of families and friends stationed themselves on the grass.

The pyrotechnics began blasting into the sky just after 9 p.m., as Parque de Vida had filled with an evening crowd of ready onlookers.

Cascades and bursts, sparkles and twists, even the periodic fireball – the fireworks worked their magic as the crowd roared with excitement and watched in awe, with the evening show ending around 9:30 p.m.

Passersby enjoy the car show at the Cortez fireworks festivities on July 4. Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal

Motorcycles and antique cars alike made their way to the Cortez car show. Friday, July 4 in Veterans Park. (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)

Parque de Vida begins filling as friends and family from the Four Corners gather to celebrate Independence Day 2025 in Cortez, (Erika Alvero/Special to The Journal)