The tough economy may have turned Saturday's Fourth of July celebration into a slightly different event at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, but the red, white and blue colors were still out in full force.

"It's all fun and laughs and fireworks," said Ronda Crosby, who spent the day selling patriotic items like flags from her booth. "But let's not forget what today really means. It's freedom for everybody."

The fairgrounds hosted free games, dancing, activities and other fun to keep plenty of families busy before the fireworks display kicked off Saturday night.

The City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department, which organizes the event, said because of the economy, they decided to turn to more traditional games instead of contracting with outside companies for things like inflatable toys and rides for kids.

That meant kids tackled obstacle courses and competed in sack races inside Dorton Arena.

"Instead of contracting out different rides, we went to our staff and said ‘what can you do to create that old-school sense of Americana for the Fourth of July,'" said Scott Payne, Recreation Superintendent for City of Raleigh.

People gathered in the grandstands and across the fairgrounds as well as along the roads near the venue to watch the colorful fireworks light up the sky.