Jul 3, 2008 5:04 pm US/Central
Many Opt To Stay Home For Holiday Weekend
Officials Say It's A Perfect Opportunity To Rediscover City
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
From travel to the backyard barbeque, the economy is changing Fourth of July traditions for many families.
Major airlines are charging $15 for your first bag and $25 more for a second, and ticket prices are soaring after jet fuel has doubled in the past year.
Kathleen Benton and her travel companion Rebecca feel the pinch.
"The price of travel now is ridiculous," Benton, a South Side resident, said. "It is just too high."
Two tickets to New Orleans cost the pair $1,000, a $400 jump form last year. It's part of the reason airline travel this weekend is down 2.3 percent to 4.5 million passengers nationwide.
"This is gonna be my last trip for a long time…a long time," Benton said.
That doesn't mean the highways are more crowded. Skyrocketing gas prices and a struggling economy mean the fewest number of people in a decade are hitting the road this 4th of July weekend.
But those who live in the Chicago area are lucky enough to have plenty to occupy them if they stay home.
Chicago is a vacation destination for people from around the region and elsewhere, and even for people who already live here. Local residents set up camp starting at 6 a.m. for the Macy's Independence Eve Fireworks Spectacular, 15 hours before it's set to start.
But this year, people say they are staying home for economic reasons as well. AAA Chicago predicts this is the second travel holiday this year where a decrease in road travelers will be seen compared with last year.
Nearly everyone is trying to save money on gas and lodging this summer, even for short trips.
"We were debating what vehicle to bring down here because of the price of gas," said Dennis Kennedy of Elgin, who was camped out for the Grant Park fireworks.
Akron, Ohio, resident Bob Langraf, whose car tank takes more than $70 to fill up, understands why fewer families are taking to the road this summer.
"It's made me, my stomach turn a number of times," he said.
The Langrafs are traveling from Akron to Door County, Wis., and will spend more than $500 in gas. Nationwide gas prices now average $4.10 a gallon, a $1.10 increase from last year's July 4th prices.
"We usually take a week off in the summer but we're cutting down this year spending a long weekend," Langraf said.
"We're definitely going to stay closer to home; that's one of the reasons why we're at the Taste," said Sandra Means of Chicago. "Last year we stayed at the hotel, so this year we just decided to come out and just camp and stay here all day."
City officials say staying home provides a perfect opportunity to take advantage of cultural and tourist attractions right at home.
"I think a lot residents maybe don't do a lot of the things the city has to offer unless they have friends in from out of town, or other reasons to do it, so it's great for people just to get out there and really rediscover what there is to do," said Karen Ryan of the Chicago Office of Tourism, "and we are seeing a lot of locals who are exploring; taking advantage of their own city."
Residents seemed to agree with the sentiment.
"That's what we're doing this year," Kennedy said. "We're staying home."
"The fireworks on the 3rd are the best," said Christina Cartegena.
"The band is going to be playing, and the fireworks," Means said. "There are not too many reasons to leave Chicago."
Vince Spano is among those crowding the supermarket aisles as he and others stock up for celebrations in their own back yards
"The other years we went by the lake but this year to save gas we stay home," Spano said.
But firing up the grill with propane will cost 29 percent more this year, and you'll need 16 percent more dough to buy a loaf of bread. It's no wonder folks are anxious to get away from a souring economy, if only they can afford it.
The July 3 fireworks at the Taste deliver the biggest crowds. The Petrillo Music Shell concert by the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra starts at 8 p.m., and the fireworks get underway about 9:30 p.m.
On July 4, there will be more fireworks at Grant Park and also at Navy Pier, along with numerous suburbs.
For a complete list of fireworks displays and a Metra schedule, click here. CBS 2's Vince Gerasole and Joanie Lum contributed to this report.
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