At just a few minutes after 9 p.m. on July 4, fireworks lit up the sky over Arvada's Stenger Sports Complex.

With 58th Avenue closed to traffic, a  lively crowd, many with camping chairs in tow, followed Van Bibber Creek Trail to the west side of the park to stake out a good spot to view the action.

In a summer of high gas prices, social unrest, upended travel plans and the cancellation of other local events, Arvada's event drew a large crowd, eager to watch Independence Day fireworks.

Lakewood's Big Boom Bash, originally scheduled for July 2, was cancelled due to increased fire risk caused by ongoing drought conditions.