Colorful Rose Bowl Fireworks Paint Pasadena’s 4th of July Sky

A kaleidoscope of colorful fireworks lit the night sky above Pasadena Saturday night, wowing over 21,000 spectators gathered at the Rose Bowl to celebrate an Independence Day that began with a day of local-area parades, entertainment, good food, and family picnics.

The 25-minute fireworks extravaganza featured a seemingly never-ending glow of fiery colors that zoomed up to hundreds of feet into the air, capping a fun-filled day of celebrating Pasadena’s 83rd annual Fourth of July celebration dubbed Americafest.

Even as economic woes have reportedly forced several communities to cancel their pyrotechnics, tens of thousands of  spectators shelled out to buy tickets for the fireworks display inside the Rose Bowl. Thousands more set up blankets and chairs at Brookside Golf Course nearby.

“Fireworks in the Rose Bowl have been a treasured Pasadena tradition for 83 consecutive years. We consider our 4th of July celebration as one of our core events,” said Darryl Dunn, General Manager of the Rose Bowl Stadium.

Military jets streaking through the Pasadena sky signaled the opening of the much-awaited spectacle that has kept the community’s Star Spangled spirit flying for 83 years. A fitting, special tribute was also given to the men and women in military service and those who have offered their lives in service to the country.

The tribute recognized the 66 men and women from San Gabriel Valley who have given their lives in the line of duty since 2003, said Councilmember Jacque Robinson.

“Tonight we say thank you to them and to their families for the honor they bestowed upon us and their courage so we may enjoy our freedoms here,” said Robinson, who represented Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard.

Congressmen David Dreier and Adam Schiff read the Declaration of Independence as part of the program.

The animated audience suddenly turned solemn as they watched  “Honoring the Fallen” on the big screen, showing the soldiers who perished in the line of duty. A thundering applause from the crowd, mostly standing in respect to the soldiers, followed the video presentation.

As the crowd awaited the lighting up of the Roman candle, the Drum Corps International Marching Music’s Major Leagues presented five of the country’s best drum and bugle corps that performed electrifying music.

“This is spectacular,” said Josie Montes, a mother from South Florida, while watching the bands march and play. “It’s my first time here and I love it”. Montes said she will bring her entire family next year.

Excitement filled the air as thousands of people joined together in the 45-second countdown led by CBS 2 news anchor Paul Magers, signaling the start of the fireworks display.

The fireworks team used two and half tons of pyrotechnics imported from China and Europe and linked each explosion to a $100,000 custom computer system, firing the firecrackers into the sky with precision, as the crowd looked in awe at the fireworks-painted the night sky.

“The fireworks were awesome — I hope they do it again next year,” said Chris Prillheart of Arizona.

As it turned out, this year’s Americafest was one of the most successful and safe celebration in the event’s history.

Pasadena Fire Department spokesperson Lisa Derderian reported after the show that there were no fireworks-related injuries or fires reported on Saturday, only relatively minor burns from a barbecue which did not require hospitalization.