And of course, at dark, the fireworks will be the star of the show.

The Fourth of July Extravaganza is sponsored by the City of Socorro, New Mexico Tech's Performing Arts Series and EMRTC, with support for the family activities from Socorro Mental Health Foundation and SCOPE, Socorro's Health Council. Non-profit organizations and youth groups who would like to have a booth at the event are invited to call 575-835-5688 or e-mail dchanvez@admin.nmt.edu to make arrangements.

In keeping with tradition, the Fourth of July Extravaganza features musicians and performers from New Mexico, and especially from Socorro.

Last Minute Bluegrass — features three generations of players from Socorro and Magdalena, generating feel-good music about lost farms, lost loves and lost lives with upbeat rhythms, tight harmonies and loose banjo jokes. Bass player Jim Ruff states, "The bluegrass will continue until morale improves!" The band includes Roger Adams on banjo; Shirley Coursey, mandolin; Francie Deters, guitar; Mariah Deters, fiddle; Ted McVey, guitar and dobro; and Jim Ruff, bass. Everyone sings!

Bernie Romero and his band — Socorro County's folk music treasures. Their repertoire of hundreds of traditional folk songs from northern Mexico and New Mexico transport you to another time.

Tobias Rene — a native New Mexican who shares headliner status with groups such as Sparx and Al Hurricane. Many young fans have classified Tobias as "The Ricky Martin of New Mexico Music." His first CD, "Por Primera Vez" and second CD, "Con Ganas," have sold more than 50,000 copies. Tobias has played some of the most prestigious venues in the Southwest, including the Red Rocks in Colorado; the Colorado State Fair's "Event Center" in Pueblo; "The Hop" in East LA; and several premiere casino showrooms in New Mexico. He has received numerous music awards, including twelve Hispano Music Awards after the release of his first CD in 1999.

Huckaby Junction — a New Mexico-based group that showcases the music of songwriters and gold record holders, Terry Eilers and Mariam Funke. The writing duo's repertoire encompasses many genres including: blues, alternative, country, folk, gospel, Cajun, light jazz and Americana. Writing together for three years, the team has licensed over 25 tunes for movies, TV programming on all major networks and for recording by other artists.

Huckaby Junction's new CD, "Through the Stage Door," has received stellar reviews from fans and the industry. Record executive Peter Willis wrote, "In the range of Mayer, Johnson, Springsteen and LaMontagne, this powerful alternative-bluesy album is filled with peerless instrumentation, breathy-sincere vocals and unassailable magnetism."

Along with the musical venture of Huckaby Junction, Terry and Denise Eilers recently opened the Stage Door Grill, just north of the Plaza, which features a stage and sound system. This venue is expanding performance opportunities to a wide variety of local and touring musicians, and is home to last Thursday of the month song circle. You will find local music at the Stage Door any Friday or Saturday evening.

Clan Tynker — a unique family of siblings who, in the "Old World" European style of entertainment, specialize in whimsical performances of a wide variety of talents. Adept juggling of balls, clubs, machetes, contact spheres, diabolo, poi and fire, they are also experienced in close-up sleight-of-hand, stage magic and Central Asian-Middle Eastern dance. Their show is an enchanting kaleidoscope of skills from around the world performed to live music played on eclectic instruments such as dumbek and Balkan drums, concertina, accordion, harmonium and keyboard.

The show culminates to a climax of danger stunts, during which they juggle machetes over each other, swallow swords and end with a spectacular fire performance. This fun and lively show is appropriate for audiences of all ages and is always well received by families.

Based out of Santa Fe, they have been performing together professionally for more than 11 years, at concerts, festivals, city events, Renaissance fairs, libraries, hundreds of private functions and on the streets and at festivals in France, Germany and most recently in Italy. The Clan Tynkers' talents can also be seen in Ron Howard's film, "The Missing" as well as the upcoming movie "Beer for my horses."

Remedy — Socorro's versatile and very popular variety band, has been together for 14 years. They have played a wide variety of statewide and regional events, opened for Brooks and Dunn, Lone Star, Rick Trevino and Malo, who is the brother of Santana.

Band leader Carlo Chavez has been playing guitar and harmonica and singing since college. He won the Wrangler Star Search Competition. Chris Sessions, lead guitar and saxophone, also sings backup. When he's not playing with the band, Sessions teaches guitar and vocals for all age groups.

Ernie Dominquez is their drummer and backup vocalist. Remedy plays Spanish, Country, Top 40, R&B, Oldies and dance music.

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