Fun on the Fourth

Residents near and far took in the sights, some barbecue, a coastal breeze and some pride as they looked up at the explosive display of lights glittering above Newport Beach Friday. Despite the show, those at the beach couldn’t help but reflect — not just on the beautiful display of fireworks bouncing off the ocean surface, but on their country and what it means to be an American.

“I am glad to be an American,” said Deborah Galasso, a Fontana resident who has been traveling to the Newport Dunes for the Fourth of July for about 20 years. “Even though things are bad right now, there is no place I would rather live than here. Our quality of life is still better.”

There wasn’t a limited amount of opportunities to relish in the Fourth activities. Newport Dunes was celebrating its 50th anniversary Friday and touted one of the biggest fireworks displays this side of the Mississippi, which made it easy for some families to make a choice on what to do this year.

“Gas is expensive,” said Paul Breisch, a resident of nearby Santa Ana Heights, who chose to come to the Newport Dunes for the fireworks show, as well as the package deal of music, food and games.

But for Breisch and his family, the holiday isn’t just for the big celebrations and sparkling skies.

“It is a good time to reflect on the conflict in Iraq,” he said. “We don’t want to forget our soldiers there.”

That sentiment was identical to other visitors all across the area. Hundreds of Costa Mesa residents tricked out bicycles, strollers and golf carts to take part in the Mesa Del Mar parade.

“A lot of people need to get together and do this,” local Bob Tetreault said. “With the state of the economy and wars, events like this puts the B-S of the world on hold. We can be glad we are Americans.”

There were various parades across Newport-Mesa, not to mention the celebrations on the beach in West Newport and Balboa Peninsula.

And while some people took the time to take a somber moment to realize what the holiday was celebrating, most didn’t forget the day was indeed just that — a celebration.

“We are celebrating the [soldiers] doing their thing for our freedom,” Nick Laikaalal said. “Thanks to all the troops.”

For more photos, click here.

For a video of the Mariners Parade, click here.

DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at daniel.tedford@latimes.com.