Although the city is bracing for a $3.2 million budget shortfall, the city council is determined to bring the Fourth of July fireworks back this year.

Cupertino residents "value the fireworks more than the $66,000," said Mayor Sandy James at the Jan. 20 city council meeting. "It is about tradition. The city needs to heal."

Vice Mayor Patrick Kwok said the fireworks are "a huge symbol of our patriotism."

Last year, the display was canceled because its regular venue, De Anza College, has been under constriction and won't be available until 2005.

This year, the fireworks will take place at Cupertino High School. But viewers cannot watch the fireworks at the school for safety reasons, so there will be alternative viewing areas. Possible locations include Sedgwick Elementary School and Creekside Park.

The parks and recreation department is still considering whether to provide entertainment programs at these viewing areas because doing that might cost another $13,000.

But as City Councilwoman Dolly Sandoval said, the issue goes beyond economic concerns, and residents are thrilled to keep the decades-long tradition alive.

Last year, angry residents accused council members of being unpatriotic and using the money saved to sponsor ethnic events. The city doesn't charge fees for such ethnic events as Cherry Blossom and Moon festivals for using Memorial Park.

"Fourth of July is a holiday for the citizens of the United States," said Rose Finlayson, who has lived in Cupertino since 1962. "The fireworks are something we look forward to year after year. The city shouldn't waive fees for those ethnic events so there will be some extra money for the fireworks."

That is exactly what the city council might do.

Every year, the city waives about $24,000 in fees for ethnic events to promote diversity. But if the city council decides to charge the organizers, the Cherry Blossom Festival and the Lunar New Year Parade are likely to be canceled next year, according to City Councilman Richard Lowenthal.

While Councilwoman Sandoval says charging ethnic event organizations is the right thing to do, other council members are not so sure.

"These events are not purely for fun. They are to create community," Lowenthal said.

No matter what happens to these ethnic events, many of which have also become a regional tradition like the fireworks, the Fourth of July display is definitely going to continue.

The city council and residents are already talking about making donations and soliciting businesses to sponsor the fireworks.

"We will find creative ways to fund the fireworks," Mayor James said.