By Jason KUROSU

La Crescenta will continue its Independence Day tradition of fireworks and festivities with the seventh annual 4th of July celebration, held at the La Crescenta Elementary playground at 4343 La Crescenta Ave. in La Crescenta.

Tickets for the event are available at participating locations for $7. On July 4th, tickets can be purchased at the door for $10. Kids under 7 years of age are admitted free of charge.

As in summers past, the celebration will feature a carnival atmosphere with games, rides and food trucks. The rides will be provided by the Kemsley Carnival, which has been in the business since 1946 and provided rides in previous years for the Independence Day festivities.

The event will also feature live music from the band Stinky Felix (their second straight Independence Day appearance) and the Crescenta Valley High Charismatics, who will perform the National Anthem.

The fireworks show will be choreographed and organized by Fireworks America, which has worked on the La Crescenta fireworks show for the past seven years. It has also produced fireworks shows for major professional sporting events, concerts and events at amusement parks such as Six Flags Magic Mountain and Sea World.

Jean Maluccio of the CV Fireworks Association recommends that attendees bring lawn chairs and blankets for the show as there will be no seating provided.

“It’s a community event,” said Maluccio. “There is a whole group of people who put a lot of work into it, to make it what it is.”

Steve Pierce, former president of the Fireworks Association, agreed.

“It’s one of the best organized events I’ve been a part of,” said Pierce, speaking both of the event itself and the Fireworks Association.

According to Steve Goldsworthy, current association president, the day will also be an opportunity to recognize the military.

“We will have veterans representing major conflicts dating back to WWII,” Goldsworthy said. The recognition of the vets will take place at dusk before the fireworks display begins.

According to Pierce, in addition to the military members and veterans present being honored during the event, members of the military may also enter the event free of charge with military ID.

Tickets are available for sale around the Crescenta Valley, including the offices of the Crescenta Valley Weekly.

For more information on where else to buy tickets, visit
www.cvfireworks.com.


 

Be Safe this July 4th

By Mary O’KEEFE and Demi DUENES

With Fourth of July, one can expect to see an array of fireworks light up the sky.

Although there is no shortage of organized fireworks displays, the private use of fireworks is illegal in all of unincorporated areas and 26 cities served by the Los Angeles County. Fireworks are also illegal in Glendale.

All fireworks are dangerous, said Keith Mora, L.A. County Fire Dept. inspector with the Public Information Office.

Even those that are considered Safe and Sane fireworks are dangerous, according to L.A. County Fire. Safe and Sane typically mean fireworks that do not fly or explode, like wheels, smoke and snake items, and sparklers.

Mora reminded residents that the tip of a sparkler could burn up to 1200 degrees.

“Ninety percent of injuries at emergency rooms are from Safe and Sane fireworks,” Mora said.

Fireworks, when used by nonprofessionals, are a serious threat to dry hillsides, houses and, in some cases, the lives of innocent people.

A variety of penalties can be exacted for those who are found in possession of illegal fireworks. Glendale police will have extra patrols in certain areas of the city that have been identified as a viewing point for fireworks, however officers on duty during 4th of July are aware of the municipal and health and safety codes regarding fireworks, stated GPD Officer Abe Chung.

“If someone is found using, selling or possessing fireworks within the city of Glendale, he/she is subjected to a misdemeanor arrest,” Chung added.

Fireworks of any kind are dangerous, not only causing bodily injury but they can start fires, especially since the local area is extremely dry.

“We are ahead of the [normal] fire [season],” Mora said. “We are expecting an awful fire season because of the vegetation growth and dry [conditions].”

All of the safety concerns does not mean residents will not be able to celebrate Independence Day. There are professional fireworks shows throughout the area to accommodate all those who love to watch fireworks on the fourth.

The 4th of July CV Fireworks show begins at 4 p.m. with fireworks beginning at dusk. There will be carnival rides, a live band and food trucks. The Seventh Annual CV Fireworks will be held at La Crescenta Elementary School, 4343 La Crescenta Ave. Tickets are $7 advance sales and $10 at the gate.

The Rose Bowl will also be celebrating the fourth with its annual Americafest. The Rose Bowl is located at 1001 Rose Bowl Drive in Pasadena. Tickets for general admission are $13 per person, reserved seating is $25.

Residents who are concerned about illegal fireworks in their area can contact the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station at (818) 248 3464 in the unincorporated area of LA County or La Cañada Flintridge or in Glendale contact the GPD at
(818) 548-4911.


 

Holiday Pet Safety

July 5 is the busiest day of the year for the Pasadena Humane Society and for animal shelters across the country. The festivities we humans enjoy can be terrifying to our pets, and humane officers and concerned citizens bring countless dogs and cats – most of them exhausted and confused – to safety at animal shelters during and after the 4th of July holiday.

PHS offers the following recommendations to help keep pets secure:

• Do not take pets to watch fireworks.

• Keep pets inside during 4th of July celebrations. Playing a radio may help diffuse the loud noise of fireworks.

• Make sure pets have ID tags and microchip information that are current.

• Consult your veterinarian and discuss the possibility of sedatives or overnight boarding if your pet may become easily agitated or stressed.

• If your pet runs away, search the kennels of the shelter closest to you.

Staff at the Pasadena Humane Society will be available from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Thursday, July 4 and again at 8 a.m. on Friday, July 5 so people can find their lost pets.

  Jason Kurosu