Amid tents, coolers, pets, and crowds dressed in red, white, and blue, Coronado became a gathering spot on Thursday for thousands of visitors celebrating the Fourth of July.

From early morning, Centennial Park welcomed local families and tourists from both sides of the border, drawn by the fireworks show—considered the most anticipated event of the year in the San Diego County city.

For many, including Sagrario Navarro from Tijuana, it was their first time experiencing an Independence Day celebration in the U.S. “I know this is a highly anticipated celebration for Americans. This is my first time watching the fireworks,” she shared, also highlighting the multicultural atmosphere and the event’s organization.

Others, like Ricardo who attends every year with his family see the holiday as more than just a spectacle. “For me, this day means that my country is a free nation,” he said.

The celebration commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, when the Thirteen Colonies declared their separation from the British Empire. Today, nearly 250 years later, thousands continue to gather to mark the day with music, community, and skies lit up with fireworks that symbolize freedom.