Thousands Attend Annual 4th of July Fireworks Display

Music, cool evening temperatures, picnics and tailgate parties were par for the course Wednesday night as Elk Grove .

Whether event attendees were inside enjoying the music and festivities or whether they were outside in various parking lots having tailgate parties, the night's mood was one of fun and anticipation as young and old alike waited for the annual fireworks show to begin.

The event, hosted by the city of Elk Grove for the third year in a row, boasted music by Latin and R&B band Inner Soul, activities for young and old, and vendors.

As police closed down Elk Grove-Florin Road near the park, thousands of people were scrambling to find good vantage points nearby to view the fireworks. For those who decided they needed to be in the park, having to walk to do so was not an issue.

Elijah Peters, 55, of Elk Grove, and his family eagerly pulled out and positioned collapsible chairs, hoping for a good view of the fireworks. Peters, like many Elk Grove residents, decided to park in a parking lot near the event area to watch the show.

“We come every year,” he said. “The last couple of years, traffic has been too congested and stuff so I decided to come here and watch the fireworks.”

He added the fireworks display is always nice and it's a nice way to end the day.

For those who chose to attend the event inside the park, it was a family atmosphere and many picnicked as they listened to music or strolled around to see what vendors had to offer. Children anxiously bugged parents about the time as the sun began dropping below the horizon.

As the temperature began to drop and the wind picked up, many were seen grabbing blankets and pulling them around their bodies as they sat in lawn chairs.

Elk Grove resident Kenneth Boykin said he and his family have been attending the event for the last five years.

“We usually go to the park every year, but it was blocked off,” he said. “Every year more and more people show up. It's entertaining and it's good for the kids to see. It's also a safe, family environment.”

Outside the park, parents and children set off their own fireworks in parking lots as car radios blared music and everyone jockeyed for the best viewing position. Mothers even pushed strollers into an adjacent field for the best view.

Pam Taylor, 56, of Elk Grove, sat with her husband and a friend. All were bundled up and all were having a good time. They've been coming to the same spot for 10 years to watch the display.

“We used [to] always park here and bring our own fireworks out,” she said. “The view is pretty good from here.”

But as the first of many fireworks streaked skyward, whether you were inside the park or not, a collective awe could be heard emanating from those who watched. As the show progressed, excited children screamed as fireworks of many shapes and colors filled the sky. At the very end, applause could be heard from all who attended.

But like with all events that come to an end, attendees spent the next few minutes gathering up their belongings, making their way to their cars and slowly but surely weaving through the traffic for the ride home.

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