Fireworks light up the sky over North Las Vegas

By Kyle B. Hansen

Sunday, July 4, 2010 | 12:36 a.m.

Thousands of people got an early start to their Fourth of July with fireworks Saturday night in North Las Vegas.

The 11th annual Independence Day Jubilee at James Seastrand Park included live bands, children’s activities and lots of food, but the main attraction was the 11 minutes of fireworks.

“We try to do the other things, but the lines are usually too long,” said Mike Funk, who was waiting for the fireworks to begin with his three children.

But the fireworks were worth the trip and the waiting, he said. Funk said his family likes the setup of the community event better than some of the other Fourth of July events in town.

“You can get close to the casino ones, but you can’t sit around and relax like this,” he said.

The celebration was also a good time to let his 2-year-old and 6-year-old get their energy out before crashing for the night.

“We like to take the kids out and let them run around and be loud,” he said. “They don’t get to go out much this time of year because it’s so hot.”

Monica Flowers said the fireworks were also draw for her family.

“That’s the reason we’re here,” she said while sitting with her cousins Toyer Price and Coleen Morris. They were protecting their spot on the grass while the kids waited in a long line for funnel cake.

“We got here at 8 and we just lucked out to get this spot,” Flowers said.

Price said the best part, other than the fireworks, was that the whole thing was free.

But that also is what made it a little crowded and made parking a challenge.

“If you didn’t get your workout today, you will get it walking back to your car,” Price said.

The Carlton family came to the event for the fourth time, also for the fireworks.

“I like the ones that are really big,” said 9-year-old Lauryn Carlton.

Maggie Carlton said she and her husband, Scott, also liked the $2 beers and the band, but the atmosphere was not as good as in the past, she said.

“It’s usually really chill, but not this year,” she said.

A number of fights broke among groups of teens in the park.

At one point, officials threatened from the stage to shut the event down if behavior did not improve.

Police were present but seemed unable to keep the crowds and traffic in line at various points of the evening.

Police officials did not immediately have word on if any arrests were made, but a spokesman said officers would review the event to get a clearer picture of what happened.