FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — Thousands of people gathered in downtown Fresno to celebrate Independence Day, marking the 250th anniversary of American independence.<\/p>\n
“I love (the) Fourth of July,” reveler Alissar Bekhdoud said. “And it’s 250, so just celebrating a little extra,” she told Action News.<\/p>\n
The day began with music in Mariposa Mall. Later, the celebration moved to the Brewery District with food trucks before continuing at Kern Plaza and Chukchansi Park.<\/p>\n
“Come into Chukchansi park, and they can take in, up close, the Fourth of July celebration, all the fireworks and festivities inside the stadium,” Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said.<\/p>\n
Local museums also highlighted the history behind the holiday. Michael Gavrilis led a tour at the Veterans Memorial Museum. Drafted at 20, he served in Vietnam.<\/p>\n
“First day on the front lines, I was mortared twice, saw two people get killed, and 20-some get injured,” he told Action News. “So I kind of learned early (that) there was no game.”<\/p>\n
At the Archive on Kern, Fresno residents took part in the “250 Voices, One America, One Fresno” project.<\/p>\n
“We’ll be interviewing people. It can be anybody,” Elizabeth Laval of the Fresno City and County Historical Society said. “They get to have their own opinion. We talk for just maybe five to seven minutes, and it’s kind of a way to leave your mark on this particular Independence Day.”<\/p>\n
From music and dancing to food and fireworks, residents gathered throughout the day to celebrate together.<\/p>\n
“How do you think we get through this for the next 250 years?” Action News asked Gavrilis. “Is there hope?”<\/p>\n
“There’s always hope, but who knows?” he said. “Something doesn’t happen unless you try to make it happen.”<\/p>\n
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