By STAFF AND NEWS SERVICE REPORTS | news@scng.com

PUBLISHED: July 5, 2024 at 8:44 a.m. | UPDATED: July 5, 2024 at 10:01 a.m.

Redondo Beach celebrates Independence Day with fireworks launched from a barge in King Harbor on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)

Some communities opted for quieter, smoke-free drones to light up the night on July, but there will still old-fashioned pyrotechnics aplenty to mark Independence Day in Los Angeles County this year.

What organizers called the West Coast’s largest free Independence Day celebration roared into Gloria Molina Grand Park and include 800 drones flying above The Music Center instead of a fireworks show. The 800 drones were an increase of 300 over last year’s inaugural Independence Day drone show at The Music Center.

Nonetheless, there were pyrotechnics displays galore — as usual, legal and illegal, and law enforcement stepped up patrols to seek out the illicit fireworks.

Fireworks shows included Redondo Beach’s display, which launched the light show from a barge in King Harbor.

A 20-minute display was cut loose at Councilman Bob Blumenfield’s July 4th Extravaganza at Warner Center Park.

Drones form a surfer during the city’s July 4th celebration in Laguna Beach, CA on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Fireworks followed the Major League Soccer game at the Rose Bowl between the Los Angeles Galaxy and Los Angeles Football Club; the Los Angeles Dodgers-Arizona Diamondbacks game at Dodger Stadium; the Harry Connick Jr. concert at the Hollywood Bowl; and the performances by Billy Joel tribute performer Billy Nation and Fleetwood Mac tribute band Mirage at the Starlight Bowl in Burbank.

Fireworks displays were also featured at Almansor Park in Alhambra, Artesia Park; Cerritos High; Rowley Park in Gardena; Crescenta Valley High in La Crescenta; La Bonita Park in La Habra; Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch; Rosemead Park; South Gate Park; Valencia Town Center in Santa Clarita; Walnut High; Westlake Village Golf Course; Friendly Hills Country Club and York Field, both in Whittier.

City News Service contributed to this report