Thousands celebrate Fourth of July at ‘Freedom 4th’ event

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – It’s the biggest 4th of July celebration in Albuquerque – the “Freedom 4th” show at Balloon Fiesta Park. For some, the celebration is a family tradition.

“To me, Fourth of July means spending time with my family,” said Isaiah Chavez. “Especially the family I have out here in town because I don’t get to see them all that often, so it’s always a time I get to treasure.”

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For others, the holiday is a time to relax with family and friends, enjoy some good food, and honor the men and women who have served the country.

“Independence Day, to our family, is huge,” said the Romero family. “We have a lot of military family, in our family, and again, it’s just honoring everybody past, present, and future, and its celebration of the independence greatest country in the world.”

Some people came across state lines to take part in the festivities, like Tristen and Luis Alba, who traveled from San Antonio, Texas, to see their grandparents.

“This was the last place I came to with my mom before she passed away,” said the Gurule family. “So, gotta keep coming.”

Little ones got to enjoy a variety of activities, like an array of bouncy castles and a rock-climbing wall, while parents got to enjoy the relaxing day off, listening to live music, with Michael Ray headlining the show.

The night was capped off with a fireworks show at 9:15 p.m.

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