Happy Independence Day! July 4, 2021

Wishing everyone a happy and safe 4th of July. The best for health and happiness to everyone in Glendale, and our surrounding communities.

Below are three local fireworks displays available for public viewing:

  1. Starlight Bowl – Burbank
    The annual Burbank 4thof July fireworks display will take place beginning at 9:00 pm and we invite you to watch safely from the comfort of home in your front and backyards. There will be no concert or public access to the Starlight Bowl area. This change allows us to maintain a safe environment for all in the community.
  2. The Crescenta Valley Fireworks http://www.cvfireworks.com/fireworks/ will be held on July 4th with the show originating at Crescenta Valley High School, the traditional location; however, there will not be anyone allowed on the field to watch the show.

The CV Fireworks has been a tradition for many throughout the foothills and Glendale but this year the CV Fireworks Association was concerned the show might not go on due to lack of funding.

“The community has really come together,” said Mike Shaar, president of CV Fireworks Association.

It was touch and go for a while but Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger joined the community in financially supporting the display. The fireworks show will be the biggest show CV has done.

“There are going to be over a thousand shells,” Shaar said. “It should be quite impressive.”
read more: https://www.crescentavalleyweekly.com/featured/07/01/2021/cv-fireworks-celebrates-fourth/

  1. Jewel City Sparkles – Glendale

The idea for this show originated recently when Crescenta Valley Fireworks came to Glendale City Council for additional financial assistance due to the impact of COVID-19.

Councilmember, Ara Najarian, rejected Crescenta Valley Fireworks, and instead decided Glendale should have their own show – partially paid for with our Measure-S tax dollars, and the remainder of the cost picked up by Glendale developer darling Rick Caruso (who received name recognition on event promotions). Ardy Kassakhian was against the idea of rejecting a nearby community’s request for help. And it does appear that creating the Glendale show was under a mean spirited Najarian scheme to ‘scratch a developer’s back’ while simultaneously being able to claim that he brought the Glendale public some temporary “fun” (similar to his ice skating rink debacle but less expensive) in an election year.

16-year Glendale City Council member, Ara Najarian

A couple of things indicate that this may have been rushed and not well thought out:
This may not be the best choice if you want to watch fireworks away from city lights. It is really an economic promotion and intended to get you into the commercial district. Additionally, with Glendale’s vaccination rates lower than surrounding communities, and uncertainty about the latest coronavirus variant, one may want to think twice about entering crowds in Glendale’s city streets and perusing commercial establishments when density is increased.

Much like Ara Najarian’s suggestion of creating a health department to circumvent LA County health restrictions and increase the financial bottom lines of local eateries, this event appears to similarly disregard concerns for public health.

Still, if you happen to be in the area at the time, you may as well watch it – you paid for it.

Below is Glendale’s promotional text for their fireworks show:

Jewel City Sparkles Fireworks Show! The City of Glendale is excited to announce the “Jewel City Sparkles” fireworks display on July 4th in downtown Glendale, sponsored in part by Caruso! Come out and celebrate the re-opening of downtown Glendale, visit businesses, and enjoy some Al Fresco dining from a local restaurant while you enjoy the show. The fireworks will begin at 9:00 p.m., and will be centered near Harvard St. and Brand Blvd. This is not a ticketed event, and you are encouraged to view the show from anywhere in the area. Please call (818) 548-2792 if you have any questions concerning the event.

Author: GCGW admin

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