Members of American Legion Post 397 posted the American Flag at the beginning of the celebration held at Barnes Park’s Amphitheater on July 4th.

Commander Gabriel Suarez led the Pledge of Allegiance and the residents stood at attention to salute our “Red, White and Blue”.  He thanked the residents for participating in this special day. He wished them a wonderful day.

Dan Costley, Director of Recreation & Community Services was the Master of Ceremony. He welcomed everyone to this special celebration. The event featured games; information booths, the famous food booths, live music and the ever -popular firework show.

Members of the Monterey Park Concert Band played many patriotic songs to the delight of the residents.

Morelia Mayor Salvador Abud Mirabent with his wife, Marian Cruz and Director Erika Guerrero Pardo spent the day visiting Monterey Park. They met with Mayor Hans Liang; Mayor Pro Tem Peter Chan; Councilmembers Mitch Ing and Teresa Real Sebastian; Assemblymember Ed Chau; City Clerk Vince Chang; Victoria Chavez-Calderon and her husband, Jose Calderon; Members of the Sister City Commission: Bob Perez; Gloria Enriquez and Dolores Rillos and Commissioner Dora Lueng.

Mayor Hans Liang, Mayor Pro Tem Peter Chan, Councilmember Mitch Ing, Councilmember Teresa Real Sebastian, City Clerk Vince Chang and Assemblymember Ed Chau greeted the crowd.

Hans Liang welcomed everyone to Monterey Park for our Annual 4th of July celebration. Happy 4th of July! We have been a country for 239 years. We all call America home. Enjoy the events and the fireworks. He asked God to bless America and us.

Peter Chan said as you enjoy the day with your family reflect on our forefathers for the great life we have today. Happy 4th of July!

Mitch Ing welcomed everyone to Barnes Park to celebrate July 4th. He spoke about Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest held in New York. Today is about more then hot dogs. He read the “New Colossal”, a poem by Emma Lazarus that was attached to base of the Statue of Liberty in 1883. This day is to celebrate the birth of our country. Enjoy the day!

Teresa Real Sebastian thanked the residents for joining us today at Barnes Park. Please be safe. Cherish your families and value our beautiful country. She asked God to bless America.

Vince Chang welcomed the residents to the beautiful city of Monterey Park. We have many celebrations in the city. This is his favorite one. Happy 4th of July! We are all Americans today even if you came from Asia or Africa or Central America or South America or Mexico or Europe. Happy Birthday America!

Ed Chau said he was honored to be here to celebrate with our friends. He thanked the veterans for their service to our country. He congratulated the new citizens.

Mayor Hans Liang, Mayor Pro Tem Peter Chan, Councilmembers Mitch Ing and Teresa Real Sebastian welcomed Morelia Mayor Salvador Abud Mirabent with his wife, Marian Cruz and Director Erika Guerrero Pardo in the presence of Assemblymember Ed Chau; City Clerk Vince Chang; Victoria Chavez-Calderon and her husband, Jose Calderon; Members of the Sister City Commission: Bob Perez; Gloria Enriquez and Dolores Rillos to Monterey Park.

Mayor Salvador Abud Mirabent stated that this is the best place to witness the 4th of July was in Monterey Park. Morelia and Monterey Park have been sister cities for the last 20 years. He is proud to witness this day. He thanked Monterey Park for honoring Marian Cruz, Erika Guerrero Pardo and himself. It is an honor to celebrate the 4th of July. He asked God to bless America.

Councilmember Teresa Real Sebastian asked all of the children to please come up on the stage to help the Council say the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Hans Liang, Mayor Pro Tem Peter Chan, Councilmembers Mitch Ing and Teresa Real Sebastian, Assemblymember Ed Chau and City Clerk Vince Chang welcome the new citizens: Ju Shi Qiu, Kin Lan Fok Fso, Gui Fen Cai, Wen Hong Xia, Hdun C Win and Shokc Chau Ng and the military families of Lu Fang and Robert Castro.

Children enjoyed playing the game “Straw Toss” for candy.  Ethan and Leana won one game each. They participated in the final match. Seven- year-old Ethan was declared the winner. Each participate received candy from Dan Costly.

Members of the Math Fusion Progressive Band played a mixture of rock and jazz to the enjoyment of the audience.

The city staff and residents want to thank local businesses: 99th Ranch Market, Quang Hwa Supermarket, Shun Fat Supermarket and Hong Kong Supermarket for their generous donations of watermelons, soda and water to the city’s celebration.

The event also featured classic rock and R & B hits from the Famous Rudy Macias Band.

The celebration ended with the night sky filled with colorful and loud fireworks. It reminded Americans of “the bombs bursting in air” and “our flag was still there”.

We are very lucky people to live in “the land of the free and the home of the brave”.