The 36th annual UWS 3rd of July Fireworks Spectacular event, organized by the City of Los Alamitos Recreation & Community Services Department, took place on Monday, July 3rd, from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. This highly anticipated event, held at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base, was a joint effort between the City of Los Alamitos and the City of Seal Beach, highlighting their commitment to providing a fun filled experience for families.
Attendees entered the military installment via gates at Lexington and Orangewood, assisted by SecFor military personnel in addition to Recreation staff and a hired private security and traffic control firm. Pedestrian and bicycle access were not available for this event. A short walk from the parking area along the tarmac brought participants to the event entrance. A pair of matching Humvees sat underneath the welcome banner that guided people into the event area.
Once inside, families found themselves in the lively Family Zone, a designated area filled with free activities for children and parents. Some of the attractions included:
- craft zone
- carnival-style games
- face painting
- photo backdrops
- calming area
- cake walk
Further, a reptile & magic show on the family zone stage presented by the OC Reptile Zoo and California Joe, respectively, captured the attention of young children and adults alike.
The craft zone, located near the entrance, provided coloring and craft opportunities facilitated by Your Bus Project, a mobile classroom dedicated to fostering creativity in children. The carnival-style games offered a touch of nostalgic fun, keeping kids entertained while they waited for the first family zone show at 5 PM. The OC Reptile Zoo brought a diverse array of animals, ranging from small creatures like geckos and toads to larger creatures such as snakes, a tortoise, and even an American alligator.
Stay tuned next summer because this spectacular event will return with another mesmerizing array of fireworks. For more information about upcoming events and programs, please visit www.cityoflosalamitos.org/recreation or contact the Recreation and Community Services Department at (562) 430 – 1073.
