Gloria Molina Grand Park’s 4th of July Block Party celebration with drones and more

In celebration of Independence Day, Gloria Molina Grand Park hosted a block party attended by approximately 20,000 Angelenos and visitors.

This year’s event featured free art activities, sports games, live music, dozens of L.A.'s favorite food trucks and DJs spanning genres from hip-hop to reggaetón and funk.

The block party also included a 75-foot-tall Ferris wheel, a 90-foot-long super slide and a captivating drone show by Grizzly Entertainment, which became the highlight of the event. The 12-minute spectacular depicted the love for the city of Los Angeles in the night sky, high above the crowd.

Nearly 700 drones, launched from Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center located directly across the street from the park, formed larger-than-life configurations of images, including Downtown L.A.’s skyline, palm trees, surfboards, sunsets and the park’s iconic fountain, that have elevated L.A.’s global status as a unique arts and cultural destination.

The block party was not only a celebration of the holiday but also an opportunity for Angelenos wanting to build connections, solidarity, allyship and mutual support. Another highlight of the event was the awarding by Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis of $100,000 to Gloria Molina Grand Park.

“Since its opening in 2014, Gloria Molina Grand Park has become Los Angeles’ central gathering place and a dynamic cultural and global crossroads, where everyone is welcome: children, families, youth groups, school groups, older adults, daily commuters and tourists,” said Solis, who represents the First District.

The grant, which will keep the park active with community programming, is part of Supervisor Solis’ Community Grant Program, established in 2014 to help develop and support non-profit organizations that serve the diverse needs of First District residents in key areas such as the arts, health, immigration and education.

“On behalf of the Gloria Molina Grand Park team and all of The Music Center, I want to express my deep gratitude to Supervisor Solis for her recognition and support of the cultural programming that the park offers, which is enjoyed by more than one million visitors annually,” said Rachel S. Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center. “We are honored to have the County’s trust to program and operate Gloria Molina Grand Park. This generous funding will enable the park team to continue its exemplary work that uplifts our communities and enriches our souls.”

Gloria Molina Grand Park is a 12-acre public park that is well known for its cultural vitality, community events, holiday celebrations and many other activities that engage and attract visitors from all communities in Los Angeles County.

“Supervisor Solis’ unwavering support has been instrumental in making our park a year-round hub for families across Los Angeles County,” added Robert Gonzalez, director of Gloria Molina Grand Park. “Thanks to her commitment, we can offer high-quality, family-friendly programs that also uplift local artists and small businesses through our initiatives. We are grateful for her partnership and look forward to continuing the cultivation of this vital green space for everyone to enjoy.”

For more information or to check out future events, visit grandparkla.org