Fireworks to mark the Fourth of July holiday for Americans on the Island will be held today ? one day early ? and with less pomp than has been typical in the past.

The American Society of Bermuda will throw its annual celebration at a private home in Somerset today.

With 1,900 guests expected at the picnic party, the Fourth of July will be topped off with a fireworks show at 9.30 p.m.

?It?s going to be a hot dog and hamburger affair with lots of Coca-Cola,? said Will Webber, a former president of the American Society.

?We?ve had a lot of company sponsors this year, so (guests) will be the members of the society and then guests of the sponsors, too. But it?ll be a private party, so admittance will only be permitted with the wrist bands we?re handing out.

?1,900 guests is a lot, but we?ve certainly had bigger,? said Mr. Webber, who was responsible for organising many of giant Fourth of July celebrations at Chelston estate ? the former American Consul General?s residence.

?Back then we had as many 3,300 people at the parties at Chelston, which I have to say, was a lot bigger than the residence that is rented for the Counsel General,? said Mr. Webber. ?But back then the Counsel General was very good at raising money for those celebrations.

?But the guest lists were also far greater because he was also so compelled to invite all his old cronies. We even had people flying down to Bermuda to celebrate the Fourth at Chelston.?

When asked if Bermuda could expect similarly grand affairs with the appointment of the new Counsel General, Webber said he couldn?t be sure but that even in Bermuda, American security was an issue.

?I don?t know if the new Counsel General will have the party again. It?ll depend on how involved he would be in the American society,? he said. ?But, after 911, as with all the Counsel General?s activities, the US government dictates caution. But we will have to see how they shape up in the coming years.?