The South Bay showed its patriotic pride on Thursday, July 4, with residents celebrating America’s 248th birthday in myriad ways. There were cultural observances, old-fashioned family picnics and firecracker dashes. And, of course, there were pyrotechnics, along with the Fourth of July’s latest darling — drone shows.
In San Pedro, dozens turned out at Angels Gate Park on Thursday for the annual ringing of the Korean Friendship Bell, which the Republic of Korea donated to the town — in honor of Korean War veterans — in 1976 while the U.S. celebrated its bicentennial.
As guest speakers and audience members recited the names of the 13 original American states, a battering ram struck the 17-ton bell, once for each state. The Korean Bell is also rung 13 times on the first Saturday of the month; Aug. 15, which is the National Liberation Day of Korea; Sept.
17 to celebrate Constitution Week; New Year’s Eve; and Jan. 13 for Korean-American Day. Thursday was the 47th annual Fourth of July Community Observance at the bell, one of San Pedro’s most enduring landmarks.
In Redondo Beach, meanwhile, holiday revelers woke up early for the 31st annual Fourth of July 5K and Firecracker Dash. The beach city tradition, during which some folks run in patriotic outfits — or even hotdog suits — was sponsored by UCLA Health. On the nearby Palos Verdes Peninsula, the Fourth of July holiday got off to a family-friendly start with two cities hosting events.
Palos Verdes Estates held i.
