The fireworks started after 9 p.m. Saturday, July 4, and lit up the sky over the city. The show was carried live and replayed on Facebook. [View it here]
The display garnered mixed reviews on the social media site. “I have more fireworks going off on my block (over my house) than there is there!! It’s insane!!” said Yvette Vargas Lopez.
Jennifer Limpus addressed her remarks to Mayor R. Rex Parris. “Worst fourth of July ever!! I am living in a war zone right now. My dog is going to have seizures from bombs going off since 1 p.m. Thanks r rex for making setting off this insanity.”
Bruenetta Mae Miner approved. “So beautiful. Thank you Mayor Rex Parris. We are very grateful. God bless America.”
Many, including Cheryl Avery Shain, considered the fireworks a stand against Gov. Gavin Newsom. “Thanks for the fireworks R Rex Parris. Glad to see someone standing up to Gruesome.”
The City Council voted to move forward with the display at an emergency meeting Saturday, granting Parris’ request for authority to issue a permit and sign a contract with a fireworks vendor for a show.
“The city has considered all risks and feels confident in our ability to safely host a show,” Parris wrote on the city’s Facebook page. “A show our residents deserve after a year of continuing challenges.”
“When you look around here, this city is the safest city in Los Angeles County. If you look at the number of hospital admissions and our death rate — we are the safest city,” Parris told KTLA.
The mayor said the display would be safe for the public as long as viewers remained in their vehicles or if they wore masks when outside one. He added that those who do not wear a face covering would be cited.
“We absolutely know, wear your mask, wash your hands, don’t touch your face and nobody needs to die. And nobody needs to shut down America,” he said.
An earlier vendor had planned to put on the show at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds but pulled out over the county ban. The revised show was held at the Lancaster Soccer Center
Officials did not allow the public to congregate at that location, but the display was visible from spots throughout the city.
Alby says
Aside from STUPID people trolling with fireworks, the Lancaster firework show was sincerely beautiful and spectacular. I could see it from my home and loved every bit of it. It’s cool stuff like this that outweighs negativity.
Eastside Dave (Lancaster) says
And yet again the Lancaster City firework show sucked ass for like the 18th year in a row as I predicted it would. That should have been just as much of a deterrent for not going as COVID-19. Anywho, the advocates for this firework show should never preach about law and order or for the need to obey authority ever again. You guys are total hypocrites and outlaws like your daddies Rex Perris and Donald Trump.
Uncle Sam says
I outgrew fireworks as a kid after a few 4ths but immature adults everywhere haven’t grown up. They whine like kids every year this time. Pathetic.
Idea says
Ric Paris should run for governor.
Yvette says
It was so great!!! Best experience!!! We could see the whole thing from our home and enjoyed family time while we watched the whole city celebrating!
Thank you!
GoodJobREX says
Don’t you listen to these Libtards. The show was great. Could see it from my house.
Gruesome trying to convert this city to the other filthy liberal cities.
Alby says
Lancaster has turned into a filthy liberal city full of idiotic section 8 queers and tweakers that get away with squatting, vandalizing, arson ect. City officials won’t do anything about it because they are being whored by county officials with disgusting lawyers. I take it that its in Lancasters financial interest to keep these scumbags because Rex hasn’t done jack sh!t about it and yet were still paying our taxes to give these imbiciles freebees while they continue to crap out kids they cant afford to raise, and trash my town. Sorry man, against my own will, Lancaster is turning into a liberal crap hole. Until the Mayor and the officials quit being chickens and deal with the real issues instead of petty money grabbing issues, its gonna continue to be a filthy liberal craphole. Oh but the fireworks were spectacular. I’ll bet the gun powder in the air helped kill some covid.
AVisFULLofRACIST says
It’s ignorant people like you that are ruining the city
Alby says
No its defensive, self-entitled, section 8, dirty trash whores like you that choose not to pick up after yourselves and act like its your right to trash this nice town.
Alby is a loser says
No it’s ignorant, classless racist losers like you that give the AV a bad name. I’m sure you’re one of those idiots that everyone talks about behind your back. The old creepy neighbor who lears at little boys.
Alby says
Dont paint me your color you sick pedophile. AV people are entitled to their inner bias and with all the bias that can be expressed, all you got are little boys on your mind? Ill bet you have fantasys about getting leared upon just like the sissy-bottom that you are. I dont feel sorry for you.
Recall Rex says
Your house is a cell at the sheriffs station. Fools like you can move out.
DEFUND the Sherriff says
You’re the fool. Typical of ignorant losers like yourself . Small minded and uneducated. Bless your heart.
Just Asking says
Thanks for the fireworks show, Rex.
Before you run for governor, can you tell us why Michael Thomas, an unarmed man, was shot in Lancaster? Can you tell us why your crime numbers are higher than neighboring cities? Would you inform us as to who owns LEAPS and how much money we have paid for it? Why did you blame mentally ill people for a shooting that never happened?
Reform says
Michael Thomas was beating up his girlfriend so she called 911. Domestic violence calls are one of the most dangerous situations for law enforcement.
AVTruth says
This is true that deputies responded to a call of domestic violence. Michael Thomas was unarmed and shot to death. Reports of him going for the officer’s gun are being disputed. Why didn’t they shoot him in the leg? When will the real story come out? It seems that Lancaster sheriff’s take on the persona of its mayor in way too many ways.
Pigs are pigs says
The AV sheriffs are all ignorant racist pieces of trash
Gabby says
On Saturday night my husband and me were there among others to see the show… I loved it because it was my first 4th of July in Lancaster… I’m glad he defied it and gave the green light…
Yvette says
A nightmare the 4th of July, a fire erupt behind the dollar tree and for 30 min we had no response, the 911 had a busy signal we had to go to the sheriffs station to reported
Parris is RACIST says
Parris is a complete loser and danger to the residents in Lancaster. His defiance speaks volumes about how he runs the city. He cannot be trusted. It’s time to revolt and have him removed from office before he kills the entire population.
Robert says
Really?? You’re an idiot!! I don’t agree with everything he does, but on this, I agree with him. This was a good thing.
Robert is an idiot says
You’re the idiot. Typical AV loser.
Renae says
Now that 4th of July is over, the hard work begins. We are going to see a horror show in the next couple of months. Every one of us will know someone who is battling this disease. The fairgrounds will be our temporary hospital by the end of the month.
None of this will happen if every single one of us wears a mask when we are anywhere near anyone we don’t live with.
I have attached a threat level chart that I lifted from Linda Vasquez (thank you, Linda.) We know that shutting down is not the answer. The precautions we take need to exceed the risk. Always make sure people around you are wearing a mask. You should wear gloves when doing many of these activities. We don’t need to shut down, we need to fight this disease as if our lives depend on it, because they do… He’s letting you know right here he is not concern about our life. He can go relax in his 6.whaever million dollar beach house, in Laguna Calif or wherever. Our lives don’t mean anything to him. Glad i don’t vote for him…
Really says
Renae: Rex Parris is adamant about everyone wearing masks, and has been. That is exactly what you are saying also.
Vic says
Why would anyone listen to what Rex says about masks? If they don’t want to wear them why should they? Just because the order says to? Rex ignored the order and gave everyone carte blanche to do whatever they want. He is a terrible example of a leader and an awful mayor. I am tired of his lies, deception, and corruption. Please say in Laguna permanently.
Michel Biggot Jr says
Honestly anyone in the AV that doesn’t abide by the safety regulations deserves to get and die from Covid19. It’s Natural Selection at it’s finest
alexander gershanovich says
Parris is a strong leader and patriot, which confronts the corrupt power of los angeles socialists who actually destroy this state.
Rex Lies. Count on it. says
Are you insane?
Veteran says
Parris a patriot? He’s a lot of things. Liar, corrupt, loud mouthed, arrogant, beholden to Communist China, strange, hot head, nepotistic, hypocritical, bizarre, disturbed, and a lot more. But in no way a patriot. He avoids veterans events like the plague and has given Communist China a front seat at our country’s defense businesses.
Patriot? No. Traitor maybe.
Rex Lies and don't you forget it. says
Why so held back Veteran?
Rex is all that and more.
Jim says
I agree, and please tell that idiot mayor to please tell the people of Lancaster to wear there mask the proper way, not just on your mouth on your nose too, please, I am trying to protect my children, and your wearing your mask half way on, and thing about citing people for no wearing it, [removed], this mayor needs to go, fireworks all over the place, pollution do you even care breathing, good healthy air, and how closing the skate parks so our young children don’t effect each other, they are not even wearing mask at local skate park, why don’t you go to Jane Relnolds park, and see for yourself, big potential problem there Mr Major,
Noel says
Thank you Mayor Parris and Lancaster City Council we enjoyed the show!
MARIA ALMAGUER says
did he pay the $30 thousand it cost to run the show?
just wondering…………,
Light Up The Sky says
Mayor R. Rex Parris is a renegade.
Robert says
Fire works at this time with people dying etc is a rediculous way of celebration. I know a lot of folks that called 911 or security folks because they were afraid of fires etc. There probably. Were quite a few folks that suffered from heart aches etc with those loyd bombs going off right next to their houses. I know for sure a lot of cats and dogs either lost their lives or ran away. Not counting birds that left their nests with fear and probably lost their lives. I think that fire works should never ne sold especially those loud ones and the rockets. Yes the city should control and do fire works on 4th of July.
Ron says
The safest city are you kidding me. This is the city where a decorated officer was shot in the face the city over taken by meth and heroin addicted felons city where children services sent. Gabriel to his death and the dumping ground of sex offenders i would rather catch covid 19 than live in lancasters corrupt system and defiant leaders that respect nothing and make up there own laws to pic and choose from. Im glad i moved.
Mind your own business says
Yet here you are butting into what’s going on in a city you hate and moved away from. You must have issues
Dunia says
All I know is that R Rex Perris sent a clear message to the community “saying it’s okay to defy the authorities”. I wonder how he will feel when people in Lancaster decide to defy and disrespect his authority. Well done Perris! I regret voting for you. You lost my respect.
John Evans says
Congratulations Rex Parris on your fireworks decision….but why did you have to ruin it with the propaganda likelihood of infection activity chart from the Democrat National Committee of St. Petersburg Florida. “The Beach”, “Camping”, “Outdoor Dining”, “Church”? I thought you were an attorney, trained to analyze documents and business records. That chart didn’t come from Linda Sanchez, (whoever that is). Look in the upper right hand corner at the lettering in white, wfla(nbc logo).com. YES that NBC ! Can you say FAKE NEWS…..knew ya could . Also, apparently you missed the President’s press conference in April, where the chief scientist. S-C-I-E-N-T-I-S-T, for the Department of Homeland Security presented their research regarding the half-life of the Wuhan flu in different environments. In UV light…wait for it…90 seconds. Dead in 90 seconds. Biggest constant source of UV light…..the SUN☀️! You know, everything in life doesn’t require an expert at $700 per hour. Some things just are.
John Evans says
That chart is the from your Facebook page yesterday for those who didn’t see it yet.
Donna says
Great leadership!
Just shows everyone else that it’s okay to defy imposed orders.
Would have rather seen the money that was spent used elsewhere.
Really says
The majority in the A.V. complain about any kind of authority so what difference does it make? Just another issue to complain about among so much else to complain about. Wake up in the morning and complain all day long about this and that.
Ken Murray says
Well, so nice to know we don’t have to follow laws, if we don’t feel like it. Lancaster has shown us the way!
JaN says
Firework’s were banned at the Fairgrounds. Mayor Parris found another venue. No crime!
Complain about something more important, like the effort to take down America, erasing America history, the killing of Americans, including children, the destruction of our cities, violence, hunger… there is so much more
Ugh!
Some people are dumb says
Ugh! Is right Another ignorant person.
Charles says
… most significant local political controversy in the Southern California High Desert in recent memory, the mainstream media here at the AV Times are a week late –
Dave Best says
Attention needing public official at his worst, his PR promotional firm constantly needs new material to spin the image of the delusional Mayor. Sure sign of too much money for a former poor person.
anthony says
Shup up donna
Tom says
This state is so unpatriotic. There were steps that could have been taken so firework shows across the state could have still taken place. The Rose bowl cancelled their show yet the night before held a drive in movie. Were fortunate to have a mayor that stands up for our rights, and allows the city to celebrate our country’s birth together as neighbors, all while practing safe steps.
Alby says
Safe steps? Ya right. People were purposely setting off exploding fireworks at moving vehicles such as mine causing my window to crack. I love fireworks as much as the next person but there was no safe steps or regulations. Everyone might as well have shot their shotguns in the air because the consequences for neglegence are quite similar but its not politically correct to bring the issue up just like it wasn’t politically correct to bring up covid and face mask wearing during the o.b.a.m.a. administration. And Parris was more concerned about citating people not wearing masks. Phhhttt!!! Sometimes I like him, other times I think he would sell the AV off to Dubai or have Lancaster patrolled by filthy hot headed cambodians that rake in petty citations that make the city bookoo bucks. City officals have mouths to feed such as their own and they dont want a real job like many taxpayers. Forget the real issues that need attention. I forget that he has been a blood sucking lawyer in the past so I wont underestimate what kind of legal loophole he’s got hiding in his trousers.