By Mary O’KEEFE

The nation’s birthday was celebrated in style on July 4 thanks to the Crescenta Valley Fireworks Association and community support.

About 5,000 people came to La Crescenta Elementary school to eat cotton candy, pizza and tacos, ride carnival rides and meet up with friends and family as they waited for the fireworks to begin.

“It’s amazing. There are so many people from so many [walks of life] yet we all get along and we are all here to celebrate the Fourth,” said Steve Pierce, member of CV Fireworks Association.

Pierce was just one in an army of volunteers who made the night a perfect Independence Day party.

The day began at 4 p.m. as celebrants arrived to the school’s campus, outfitted with lawn chairs and blankets. They parked their chairs on the lawn and before long the crowd of 5,000 was sharing a neighborhood picnic. Carnival rides included a Ferris wheel and a giant slide. Four-year-old Alec Rodriguez was having the time of this life riding a blue fish in a continuous circle, which to him was a great adventure.

“Yes,” he answered when asked if he liked the ride. “But I want to go on the one where you go up then down (add in 4-year-old sound effects of squeals and dive bombing) and then you are back up.”

“He is really having fun,” said mom Amy Heck.

CV Fireworks Association is a non-profit organization that raises money all year for the Fourth of July celebration. Donations are still being accepted. To learn how to make a donation, visit their website at www.cvfireworks.com.

  crescenta valley, fourth of july, La Crescenta