CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The goal this year for "Red, White and Boom" in uptown Charlotte was to get the same amount of "boom" for less buck. In a tough economy, sponsors were tougher to convince and fireworks weren't any less expensive.

Center City Partners, which organizes the yearly show at Memorial Stadium on North Kings Drive, wasn't shy about asking for assistance.

"We asked everybody to sort of help out in this particular situation, even going to the firework provider -- the pyrotechnic company -- and said can you do something for us this year," chief creative officer Robert Krumbine told NewsChannel 36.

They got much of what they asked for. Krumbine said Melrose Pyrotechnics gave them a deal, and helped them organize a slightly different show. It will be 17 minutes, as opposed to 20 minutes this year. Krumbine said the priority was on the "big shells."

The problem is not unique to Charlotte. Marty Matthews of Melrose Pyrotechnics told us several of their customers even had to cancel shows. He said the approach to the Fourth of July varied wildly though; some shows will be smaller, but some will be bigger.

The challenge came in securing sponsors in a tough economic environment for many industries. Gary Mills, head of the Kannapolis Parks and Recreation department, told NewsChannel 36 their Thursday night fireworks show was able to get a similar level of help -- with some extra effort.

Charlotte is leaning heavily on help from Lance, US Airways and the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Department.

"We were worried about the fact that when you look at everything that's going on around the country and how these events are being cancelled, that this would be one that people would overlook," Krumbine said. "There was no way we were going to let this one slide and so you talk to [sponsors] the right way , you find the right things to do -- they make it happen for us."

The "Red, White and Boom" show will also partner with fewer radio stations for 2009. In previous years, several stations have carried a soundtrack that goes nicely with the fireworks show Uptown. This year, only 96.9 The Kat opted to participate.

The show will help an organization hurt by the tough economy by asking visitors to bring canned goods to the festival that goes on around the fireworks show. Second Harvest Food Bank will receive the non-perishables.