Community Corner
McLean Families Celebrate 4th of July in Style!
Langley High School hosts one of the largest firework shows
For one McLean family, this July 4th was more memorable than most. On June 14th, Ajay Joshi and his family, became U.S. citizens. “We have celebrated the 4th of July before here in America, but this time we are celebrating as Americans” said Ajay Joshi, as he and his proud family waited for the community fireworks show at Langley High school Monday night.
The Joshi family was among the more than 4,000 folks who gathered for the 27th year of the free fireworks display sponsored by the McLean Community Center. The crowd of families, kids, relatives and friends from McLean and neighboring communities was the largest ever, according to MCC.
“The event has really stepped up its games for the kids and the best part about these fireworks is not having to worry about your children” said Kristin Burtle, of Arlington, when comparing to other firework celebrations like on the National Mall. The Burtle Family, Andrew, Kristin, and Landon, 6, have been coming for the past two years.
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“The goal was to make it family-oriented and the turnout was great” said Sabrina Anwah, Public Information Officer for the MCC.
Activities included: A rock wall, laser tag, bubble pit, moon bounce, even video games that were being played out of a van, and finally Mayuk Sengupta’s favorite activity, “ a water balloon sling shot!”
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The band, Last Train Home, performed relaxing summer songs and lots of jazz. Insook Kim and her family came to the event “not just because it is family friendly, but we heard from friends there was good music.”
Recent high school graduates attended some having attended these fireworks since they were kids. Nima Jahromi, a 2011 Langley graduate, described the atmosphere as “always welcoming just like the USA.”
Bob Freda, a volunteer at the Fire Department, who's been attending this event for over 20 years, said “the crowds get larger, the traffic worse, yet it reflects the community quite well.”
Traffic is the only downer. Langley High School is located on two-lane Georgetown Pike and there is only one entrance to the massive parking lot. Hundreds of cars were parked along side the road and the neighborhoods around Langley brimmed with parked cars. When people left, traffic was at a standstill up and down Georgetown Pike. There were shuttles to designated parking areas around Langley High.
Several local politicians were advertising their campaigns at the event. Both Janie Strauss, running for the School Board, and Barbara Comstock, running for the General Assembly were seen in attendance.
