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Health & Fitness

PHOTOS: Rancho Park Fireworks, Another Historical Interlude

Here are Hillcrest fireworks pictures. Thousands (one on-site LAPD officer guessed around 5,000) of West Los Angelenos gathered with lawn chairs, blankets and glow sticks in tow to watch the display.

As promised, here are a few pictures of the Hillcrest Country Club fireworks show as seen from the Motor Avenue side of Rancho Park. Throughout the whole show, I felt pretty sentimental and even patriotic.

Another brief history peg -- in 1812, the United States was entrenched in war against Great Britain. Conflict with the French led the British navy to impede trade on the open seas and force American soldiers to serve with British seamen. American resistance led to war on the home front, during which our national anthem ("The Star Spangled Banner") was written by Francis Scott Key. The Americans emerged victorious from the war, then considered to be a second clash for independence.

Anyhow, as each firework exploded with a thunderous "crack," I found the anthem playing triumphantly in my head: 

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"And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there..."

Adding to my sentiment was the fact that I was surrounded by members of the community. Wrapped in blankets, seated in folding chairs, or stopped in cars -- in the middle of Motor Avenue -- with heads poking out of moonroofs, this congregation of spectators was united by awe and delight for the stunning show taking place overhead. It was a pretty special (not to mention rare) moment.

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All of the pictures (and video of the grand finale) were taken on my iPhone. With regard to the fireworks, I spruced up the shots with Instagram. Also, please leave a comment if you used my first blog to catch some awesome and free fireworks shows. I hope you all had a happy July 4! Enjoy...

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