Thousands of families gathered at Balloon Fiesta Park on Saturday for Albuquerque’s annual Freedom Fourth celebration, marking the nation’s 250th birthday with live music, food vendors and a fireworks display.
The celebration began at 3 p.m., and city officials said about 3,000 people had arrived by 4 p.m., filling parking lots early as attendees settled in for an afternoon and evening of festivities.
Families enjoyed face-painting stations, live entertainment and dozens of food trucks before the night’s fireworks show.
“We’re just basically here to have fun for the Fourth of July,” a group of children attending the event said. “We’re just here to spend time with family, have some fun, maybe get some face paintings.”
Asked what they were looking forward to most, the children answered simply: “The fireworks.”
Others came early to secure a good spot for the evening concert by the funk and soul band WAR.
“I’m excited to see WAR. I’ll probably be up in front of the stage by the time they go up,” said attendee Williams.
Despite the hot afternoon temperatures, many visitors stayed at the park throughout the day in anticipation of the evening performances and fireworks.
For some, it was their first time attending Freedom Fourth.
“It is my first time here. I’m here with my family,” said Lena Gonzales. “I’ve been to the one at the Isotopes, but I thought this would be more fun with the vendors, music and the big field.”
Freedom Fourth has been a city tradition since 2003, drawing between 40,000 and 50,000 attendees annually. City officials expected an even larger crowd this year as the celebration coincided with the nation’s 250th anniversary and the centennial celebration of Route 66.
Organizers said this year’s headlining act, WAR, was selected in part because of the band’s hit song “Low Rider,” a nod to Albuquerque’s well-known lowrider culture. “WAR sings ‘Low Rider,’ and here in Albuquerque, we have a lot of lowriders,” said Bree Ortiz, manager of the City of Albuquerque’s Arts & Culture Department. “To tie those two together in these celebrations is something really special.”
The event concluded Saturday night with its traditional fireworks show, bringing another Freedom Fourth celebration to a close.