4th of July Fun Fest Rocks Families

On the Fourth of July in Morrison Park, red, white and blue were not just colors; they were an attitude. People from all around the community gathered together to celebrate and enjoy the festivities of the 30th Annual 4th of July Family Fun Fest. Organized by Moreno Valley's very own Parks and Recreation Department, the fun was varied and abound. Local vendors of all kinds flocked to the gathering, selling anything from balloons and toys to intricate and patriotic wood carvings. Music was an important aspect of the festivities, with three bands rocking the audience from mid-day into the evening. Fortunate Son, Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute band; The Long Run, Eagles Tribute Band; and DSB, Journey Tribute Band, comprised the lineup. There was no shortage of activities for everyone to participate in. Kids could climb into military vehicles and have a peek inside. Face painting, balloon toys, carnival games, and an inflatable jumper were all part of the fun. To the delight of food lovers, so was the plentiful culinary fare. Fest goers could purchase funnel cakes, snow cones, popcorn, hot dogs, barbeque, or all of the above. They could also visit a number of local government booths to learn more about their community. The Public Works Department set up shop to promote recycling, and representatives from the Parks and Recreation Department were there as well. Commissioner Juanita Barnes of the department described the importance of events of this nature: "As a community, we are living in this community but know nothing about each other. But in a gathering like this one, we can get together. It is so important, because people are moving so fast, just to stop and get together." At the end of the day, as the Fireworks Extravaganza began to elicit awe from the crowd, it was apparent that the sense of community was burning as brightly this 4th of July.