Featuring thousands of aerial fireworks and ground effects, this year’s AMERICAFEST 2012, Southern California’s largest Independence Day fireworks show, will mark the 86th annual Fourth of July celebration at the Rose Bowl and will pay special tribute to the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).
The Rose Bowl event, which is the longest running Independence Day fireworks tradition in Southern California, will continue, as it has for more than eight decades, providing fun, safe and affordable family entertainment for all.
This year’s day-long celebration will take place on Wednesday, July 4, and will feature the “All American Thrill Show” – live motorcycle stunts, world class drum and bugle corps ensembles presented by Drum Corps International and “Americafest,” the biggest and best fireworks show in Southern California.
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A Family Fun Zone outside the stadium will open at approximately 2 p.m. and offer food vendors, entertainment, crafts, exhibits and inflatable rides for the kids. There will also be food for sale inside the stadium after the gates open at 6:30 p.m.
Opening ceremonies, including the Presentation of the Colors and the National Anthem, will take place at 7:15 p.m. followed by a motorcycle stunt show, musical performances and special guest appearances beginning at 7:25 p.m. The IAVA will also be honored in a special acknowledgment to those who have formerly, or are currently serving in, Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Additionally, there will be a special video tribute to the men and women from the greater San Gabriel Valley who have given their lives in service to our country presented, with a musical performance prepared by Drum Corps International’s Pacific Crest.
The fireworks show will begin at 9:05 p.m., presented by Pyro Spectaculars, known throughout the world for extraordinary displays in New York, Boston, Thailand, the Philippines, NFL Super Bowls and the Olympic Games.
General admission tickets are priced at $13. Children 7 and under will be admitted free. Advance tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster; call (800) 745-3000 or go to www.ticketmaster.com. Parking is $20 per car payable at the parking lots.
Members of the active military and three of their family members will be admitted free by showing their current military identification at Rose Bowl Gate B the day of the event.
Americafest is the largest fireworks show on the West Coast and features patriotic music, Americana videos and over 5,000 fireworks.
“The Rose Bowl show is one of our family’s favorite shows of the year,” says Jim Souza, President of Pyro Spectaculars. “The bowl lends itself to some amazing performances, the seating is ample and the views are great.”
This show is computer controlled and designed by the 5th generation Souza family whose credits include several Olympic Games, World Cup Soccer and numerous Super Bowls.
Darryl Dunn, general manager of the Rose Bowl, has set a fundraising goal of $50,000 to cover costs of hosting military families and to help offset the cost of the fireworks. Anyone wishing to help keep this great tradition going should send a tax deductible donation to Legacy Connections, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103.