Though there were no fireworks as is typically associated with the Fourth of July, Sunnyvale certainly put on a good party for our nation’s 250th birthday. Downtown was packed on the afternoon of July 4, as thousands of people roamed the closed-off streets in the city’s Historic Downtown district, enjoying food, games, music and, this year, rides.

“Last year’s event was mainly just carnival games and music, although it was mainly kids’ music; now we have music for all ages, for adults, for kids, and the carnival games,” said Sunnyvale Mayor Larry Klein. “Having a 72-foot-tall Ferris wheel in the city for probably the very first time, and then [the] Zero Gravity [ride] and slides; it’s just an amazing day.”

As is tradition for the event, everything but the food was free, something residents told Klein they appreciated.

“[It’s] great to see this event getting better and better each year,” said Klein. “I got here, and walking past all the rides and all that, and a family coming by, and it’s like, ‘Mayor, I just want to thank you. I came here with money, ready to pay for each of these rides.’ It’s like, ‘No, everything’s free.’ It’s great to have this event that people are just loving.”

In one parking lot, a band played everything from blues to classic rock to country music while adults danced. Just a block away in front of the Whole Foods, the hit kids’ band Choo Choo Soul sang classics like “All Aboard the Choo Choo Train.”

Mom, Karina brought her one-and-a-half and two-and-a-half-year-olds from Mountain View for the event, and she was not disappointed.

“We love it. We’re so amazed by everything. He’s having a lot of fun. We’re really happy with it,” said Karina. “I love it. I love it. I’m really glad that we came here. We had other plans, and we’re like, ‘Let’s go to Sunnyvale,’ and we’re super happy that we came.”

Nearby, 12-year-old Rohan stood in line for one of the carnival games, the Frog Bog, with his cousin and mom, Sun. Rohan and Sun said this year’s event is even better than last year’s.

“It’s fun. It’s fun. I like the rides and the Ferris wheel and the ride which goes very fast over there. The one that’s spinny,” said Rohan, referring to the Zero Gravity ride that had long lines all day.

For Sun, it’s a great place to spend the day.

“They have lots of fun activities at one place. Yeah, that is the thing I appreciate about this event,” said Sun.

Her only wish is that it the event lasted longer than the 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. hours.

“I think if they stay for longer hours instead of ending up at two, I believe they could enjoy all the activities that are present here,” said Sun.

Despite the disappointment of the Fourth of July event ending early, the kids had a great time.