Monterey Park Mayor Anthony Wong, Mayor Pro Tem Hans Liang, Councilmembers Peter Chan, Mitch Ing and Teresa Real Sebastian and City Clerk Vince Chang welcomed new citizens Cindy Nu Shui with her family and Yan Kun Zhang to the city’s annual 4th of July celebration held at Barnes Park.

Mayor Wong thanked the residents and their guests for joining us to celebrate the greatest country in the world. We need to love and help each other. He wished everyone a Happy 4th of July and asked God to bless America!

Mayor Pro Tem Liang wished everyone a Happy and Safe 4th of July! He was born in the USA.

We celebrate the birthday and freedom of our country. We should thank our military for our freedoms. Freedom is very important to all of us. He thanked the military for protecting our freedoms.

Councilmember Chan wished the crowd a Happy 4th of July! 238 years ago we became an independent country. It is a time to reflect on why we are here for the freedoms in America’s democracy. It is a time for reflection we are in the best country in the world.

Councilmember Ing welcomed everyone to Barnes Park. We celebrate the 4th of July. We are from around the world. He spoke about the homeless people and those living in poverty. Please remember those that are in need. Enjoy the day!

Councilmember Real Sebastian wished everyone a Happy 4th of July! She was born in the USA. She reminded the residents to be safe and be thankful for our freedoms.

City Clerk Chang wished the crowd a Happy 4th of July! We live in one of the greatest cities in California and the USA. We are a diverse culture with folks from Asia, Europe, South America and Africa. He loves Monterey Park. Think about what we are enjoying the freedoms of religion, speech and the freedom to vote.

Councilmembers joined with the children in the flag salute led by Abigail.

Members of the Monterey Park Concert Band played several numbers that included a selection of grand old holiday songs.

Angelene Storey and Joe Arquett each sang a beautiful solo in honor of the day.

Several children had a chance to direct the band in front of their proud parents and friends.

The event’s food booths featured delicious Mexican food, watermelon, soft drinks, shaved ice, roasted corn on the cob and kettle corn.

Children enjoyed several games of Straw Toss and Simon Says in competition for candy. They were very excited to be part of the celebration.

Councilmember Mitch Ing introduced Les Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal Boys’ Choir School and their Director Gilbert Patenaude from Montreal, Canada. He was raised in Canada and joked that he wanted to play in their national hockey games.

This boys’ choir was established in 1956 by Father Leandre Brault, who was inspired by the great European tradition of boys’ choir schools dating back to the 6th centaury.  The boys attend either the 6th grade or the 11th grade to participate in the choir.

He was honored to introduce the boys’ choir that has Monterey Park as one of their last stops on their California tour.

46 members of the 210 member Les Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal Boy’s Choir School and their Director Gilbert Patenaude sang several songs from their repertoire to the delighted audience.

The celebration included Rudy Macias Band performing “Golden Olds” that guests could “dance to the beat”.

The evening ended with colorful fireworks exploding in the sky over the San Gabriel Valley.

The loud booms and the bright lights reminded us of our National Anthem …“And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.”

Happy Birthday to US!