Countless visitors descended on the recently opened Pearl Park Tuesday to attend the Red, White, and Blues event celebrating the Fourth of July. Adults and children alike twirled hula hoops, threw frisbees, and played with large rubber balls while featured artists DJ Plata, Will Owen Gage, Nakia & the Blues Grifters, and Jackie Venson performed on a nearby stage.
Booths offering cold drinks and Fourth-themed food lined both sides of the park, and colorful picnic blankets adorned the bright green astro turf in front of the large stage.
Trees and storefronts provided pockets of shade to people picnicking on the smooth pavement next to the park. Red, white, and blue decorations hung from the trees and blew in the soft breeze.
Though temperatures nearly reached 100 degrees, children stayed cool by running through the splash pads’ water streams shooting up out of the ground. Most of the day’s festivities took place around the newly-opened park space, but visitors also mingled around the green space between Local Coffee and Bakery Lorraine. Corn hole boards were situated in front of Cured and a paleta vendor handed out frozen treats to passersby.
The event’s carefree and energetic atmosphere persisted throughout the day, as music accompanied families and friends laughing together, children blowing bubbles and parents pulling kids around in red wagons – all in celebration of Independence Day.
