50 Years of 4th of July Patriotism in Culver City

50TH ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS AT WEST LOS ANGELES COLLEGE

CULVER CITY, CA - 06/24/2016 (PRESS RELEASE JET)

Monday July 4^th, the Exchange Club of Culver City will host its 50^th annual Fireworks Extravaganza. Gates open at 4pm. The event is co-sponsored by the City of Culver City, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and West Los Angeles College. Along with an aerial fireworks display, the event will include a “Kids Zone” with carnival games, a dozen gourmet food trucks, a barbecue, live entertainment and a mega-raffle with more than 65 prizes – grand prizes including a luxury Las Vegas vacation and a big screen television.

The special focus of this year’s event will be the plight of America’s military veterans. 2016’s special musical guest will be the New Directions for Vets Choir – a finalist on T.V.’s America’s Got Talent. The 2016 Fourth of July Color Guard will be drawn from the ranks of veterans who have served our nation in Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq. These former Soldiers, Sailors and Marines have another distinction – all of them were once homeless.

”Homelessness among veterans in our community is not just a national shame – it’s a stain on the heart of patriotism and liberty,” said Xavier Nuques, the event co-organizer. “So when we stand on the Fourth to salute our flag – we also salute these vets for their selfless service in the sincere hope we can bring greater attention to their plight.”

The 2016 fireworks presenter – Garden State – is one of the nation’s oldest and most venerable providers. Founded in 1890 by Italian immigrant Augustine Santore, the company is still family-owned and operated. Garden State has provided fireworks for the Fourth of July on the National Mall, at the Statue of Liberty, the Winter Olympics and Disney World. Garden State has also been recognized as Grand World Champion at multiple world competitions.

“To commemorate our 50 years of celebrating the Fourth of July in Culver City, we wanted to pull-out-the-stops,” said Nuques. “Garden State Fireworks is has been a leader in the industry for 125 years. Our 2016 show should be mind-blowing and spectacular!”

The event will be held picnic-style on grass baseball and soccer fields at West Los Angeles College adjacent to the school’s Overland Avenue Gate. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and low lawn chairs for comfort. Limited seating for less ambulatory guests and handicapped access will be available. The cost of entry is a suggested $5.00 donation. Children under 5 are free. Parking is $10 and limited. To encourage carpooling, the maximum admission for four or more guests in a single vehicle is $20 plus the $10 parking fee. Commercial vans, buses and mini-buses are excluded from the “Car Pool Deal”. Pedestrian Entry will be restricted to the Overland Avenue Gate only. The parking entry for the Event will be at the West L.A.’s Jefferson Gate at College Boulevard. No pedestrians will be permitted to enter the venue from Jefferson Boulevard. Secured bicycle parking is available.

All proceeds from the event go to underwrite the many youth charities supported by the Exchange Club including its drive to stop the spread of child abuse. Other youth charities annually supported by the Exchange Club include the YMCA., the Culver Youth Health Center, AYSO, Little League and dozens of scholarships presented annually to deserving high school graduates.