Dear Friend —

The Fourth of July holiday has always been a special day to me and my family. This country offers so much to the people that live here, and one of the best days in my life was the day I became a U.S. citizen. I bring the sense of duty I felt that day with me every single day I get to serve this city. 

This Fourth of July we have a lot to celebrate — we get to celebrate our families, being surrounded by great friends and neighbors, and the fact that we live in this great country. But at the same time, it's an opportunity to reflect on all we still have to achieve. As we have seen in the last few weeks, freedoms must continuously be defended. As far as we have come as a country, as Americans, it is always our responsibility to the generations that come after us to be engaged, and never stop fighting to protect the rights so many before us have labored to achieve. 

Throughout today and tomorrow, many will gather to grill, eat, and celebrate the holiday weekend. I encourage everyone to gather safely and respect their neighbors. For those who want to enjoy fireworks, I want to invite you to the Downtown Waterfront for an amazing fireworks show at Queensway Bay. The free firework show can be seen all along the waterfront, with the best views at Lions Lighthouse for Sight. For parking and more information, please visit the website here. 

As a reminder, all personal fireworks, even those deemed “Safe and Sane,” are illegal in the City of Long Beach. When fireworks are set off near communities and residential areas, they can trigger flashbacks for our veterans and neighbors experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder. The noise also creates panic for many animals, and shelters fill with runaway pets every year. To report illegal fireworks activity, call the non-emergency number at (562) 435-6711 or submit a fireworks complaint at longbeach.gov/fireworks.

Thank you and Happy Fourth of July,

Mayor Robert Garcia