A New Tradition Born? See/Hear LB's Municipal Band Perform As Fireworks Ignite the Night At ELB's Vets Stadium

The fireworks, which began in 1958, disappeared in 2011 when the sponsoring non-profit LB Firefighters Memorial Ass'n said its costs exceeded contributions received (many people simply watched the fireworks from area streets and didn't pay to get in.)

Councilwoman Schipske (photo right) revived the show by using mainly private sponsorships.

A printed event program credits the following hosts and sponsors: JetBlue, Run Racing, Lamar Advertising, Partners of Parks, the Port of Long Beach, Keesal, Young and Logan, Arts Council for Long Beach, Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine and the Long Beach Firefighters Association.

The 2014 event ran for four hours and included a concert by Rock for Vets, a tribute to the 16 Long Beach Hometown Heroes (LB servicemembers who perished in Iraq and Afghanistan), a rendition of Some Gave All by American Idol Finalist Clint Gamboa and a presentation by Honoring our Fallen.

The event was free to attend with donations requested and parking at $10. Volunteers also "passed the bucket," a tradition at LB Muni Band conerts that helps fund its performances (fewer weeks now than in previous years as a result of City Hall budget cuts.)

Photo shows crowd arriving at approx. 8:30 p.m.

Those present at the event included LB Harbor Commissioner Lori Ann Farrell, Deputy City Manager / Interim Airport Director Reggie Harrison, state Senator Ricardo Lara and LB Parks & Recreation Commissioner Ron Antonette.