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進入中英對照讀新聞》Small-Town Fireworks Dreams Go Up in Smoke for America’s 250th Birthday美國250週年國慶 小鎮煙火夢碎
2023年7月4日在華盛頓特區國家廣場舉行的獨立日煙火表演，背景映照的是美國國會大廈與華盛頓紀念碑。（法新社檔案照）
◎國際新聞中心
America’s 250th birthday is shaping up to be a fireworks bonanza — but only for towns that can afford it.
美國建國250週年看來會是一場盛大的煙火盛宴——但只有負擔得起的城鎮才能共襄盛舉。
As cities compete for bigger, brighter anniversary displays, smaller municipalities are getting priced out or finding there simply aren’t enough crews and equipment to go around.
隨著各大城市競相打造更盛大、更璀璨的週年煙火秀，規模較小的地方政府卻因成本飆升而被排擠，或發現根本沒有足夠的人力與設備可供調度。
A few have canceled shows entirely, including Hinesburg, Vermont, where officials budgeted $13,500 for fireworks but were told they’d need to pay a minimum of $20,000 this year.
少數城鎮甚至乾脆取消煙火表演，其中包括佛蒙特州海恩斯堡。當地官員原本編列1萬3500美元的煙火預算，卻被告知今年最低要價已達2萬美元。
Tyler Wheat, president of Dallas-area display company Illumination Fireworks, noted that some municipalities have turned to drone shows as an alternative, but he said drones "end up actually costing about the same, if not more than firework shows."
達拉斯Illumination Fireworks煙火公司總裁泰勒．惠特注意到，部分地方政府改以無人機秀取代煙火，但他表示，無人機表演「最終成本其實與煙火秀相差無幾，甚至還更高。」
新聞辭典
go up in smoke：片語，化為烏有、付諸東流、徹底失敗。例句：After months of preparation, their wedding plans went up in smoke when the venue flooded.（經過數月的籌備，場地淹水後，他們的婚禮計畫化為烏有。）
shape up to：片語，看來會…、有潛力成為…、逐漸展現出…。例句：She is shaping up to be one of the best players on the team.（她看來會成為隊上最頂尖的球員之一。）
