Thousands of people gathered around San Diego Bay on the Fourth of July to watch the annual Big Bay Boom fireworks show and celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States.
Locals and out-of-state visitors filled Harbor Island and other waterfront viewing areas for one of San Diego’s signature Independence Day traditions.
The celebration brought back longtime spectators, including Jennifer Kiley and Bret Williams, who traveled from Arizona.
“Well, we used to have a boat here in Harbor Island from Arizona,” Kiley said.
The event also attracted first-time visitors, including the Arce sisters, who had previously watched the fireworks from home.
“This is our first time. And we were always watching from home. And it’s really special it’s 250 years of the United States of America,” the Arce sisters said.
Dr. Bernalica Arce arrived at 8 a.m. to reserve a spot for her sisters. Some spectators said they expected this year’s milestone celebration to be even bigger than previous years.
“I expect it to be bigger than we’ve ever seen before because it’s the 250 year anniversary. So, you know, it’s gonna be spectacular. I hope,” Williams said.
Beyond the fireworks, people said the holiday was about spending time together and appreciating the opportunities they have in the United States.
“I think we need events like this that bring people together in this time. I think it’s important for sure,” Kiley said.
“We’re grateful because you know we came from the Philippines almost 35 years ago. And you know we were given opportunities and we have our career[s],” the Arce sisters said.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.