By Mary O’KEEFE

Once again the Crescenta Valley celebrated in grand Fourth of July style thanks to the Crescenta Valley Fireworks Association.

When the gate opened at 4 p.m. people started filling the playground at La Crescenta Elementary and on Prospect Avenue. There were carnival-type rides and food trucks to keep everyone busy until the main event – fireworks.

About 5,000 people came to the event, which is a little more than last year.

“It [could] have been because we changed the age to allow kids 7 and under in free,” said Steve Pierce, member of the CV Fireworks Association. Admission to those over 7 years old was $7.

In addition to those who watched the fireworks from the venue, there were also hundreds who watched from vantage points throughout Crescenta Valley.

On the field at La Crescenta Elementary, Congressman Adam Schiff and Assemblymember Anthony Portantino stopped by to wish the crowd a happy Independence Day.

The event celebrated the United States of America’s birthday in proper style not only with the fireworks dancing to patriotic music but with patriotic words from Lt. Col. David Worley, mentor for the Crescenta Valley High School JROTC.

“Let us look upon the American flag tonight with renewed allegiance, honor her, respect her and most importantly, defend her,” Worley said in a speech to the audience prior to the start of the fireworks display.

Pierce and the CV Fireworks Association are already planning next year’s event.

“We are going to be adding some additional food trucks. The lines for food were long so we want to get some [trucks] or carts that just sell something like hot dogs and the line can move,” Pierce said.

The Association will be inviting the band, Stinky Felix, back next year.

“The band worked out great,” he said. “They were really popular. They will be back.”

The fireworks event is supported by donations. For information, visit www.cvfireworks.com.

  Leonard Coutin, Mary Okeefe