Thousands of people came to Langley High School on July 4 to watch the fireworks. Photo by Reena Singh.
The first crackle in the night sky always has everyone running to their seats to get the best view of the fireworks on Independence Day.
Thousands of people sprawled on the grass and perched in the stadium at Langley High School [LHS] came to watch the fireworks on Friday, July 4.
The 30--minute show began around 9:15 p.m., but the gates opened at 8, giving early visitors the chance to snack on chili dogs and popcorn before the grounds got crowded.
“Between 6,000 to 8,000 people attend every year,” said McLean Community Center Director of Special Events Sam Roberts III in a previous interview. “This will be our last year at Langley High School because they are going under construction for five years.”
The fireworks show will move to Cooper Middle School next year.
Since Great Falls did not have its own fireworks show that night, many of its residents showed up in the stands at the high school football field. Additionally, several of this year’s local visitors had never come to LHS to view the fireworks, but relished an excuse to not celebrate in the nation’s capital, which they feared would be overcrowded.
“We live in McLean for two years, and we usually go to the beach,” said McLean resident Franck Journoud. “We didn’t want to be with a million of [our] closest friends at the [National] Mall.”
He said his family spent the holiday listening to Americana, going to a barbecue and spending time at a lake.
McLean residents Lisa and Brett Korade said they went to the National Mall last year to watch the fireworks and did not want to face the crowds again this year. They came to Langley High School early to claim the grassy space with a blanket and folding chairs.
“We’re active duty military, and we move a lot, so we don’t have a lot of fourth of July traditions,” said Brett.