By Rachel Spacek

  • Bright colors danced across the sky at Mills Park this evening.
    Bright colors danced across the sky at Mills Park this evening.
  • Swarms of people from near and far gathered this evening at the RSVP Carnival.
    Swarms of people from near and far gathered this evening at the RSVP Carnival.
  • Guests who rode the ferris wheel got a bird's eye view of the city.
    Guests who rode the ferris wheel got a bird’s eye view of the city.
  • Dad comforts his son on the ferris wheel.
    Dad comforts his son on the ferris wheel.
  • Mom and her daughter are sad to get off the carnival ride.
    Mom and her daughter are sad to get off the carnival ride.
  • Rebecca Baird and Casey Lyle enjoy the carnival festivities together.
    Rebecca Baird and Casey Lyle enjoy the carnival festivities together.
  • Crowds watch their family members sore high above the carnival.
    Crowds watch their family members sore high above the carnival.
  • Kids run screaming through the carnival fun house.
    Kids run screaming through the carnival fun house.
  • Tornado is a spinning ride loved by all ages.
    Tornado is a spinning ride loved by all ages.
  • Brother and sister are sad to get off.
    Brother and sister are sad to get off.
  • Dad instructs his daughter on how to throw the wiffle ball to land perfectly on the bottles
    Dad instructs his daughter on how to throw the wiffle ball to land perfectly on the bottles
  • Three siblings take their chances to win a toy they've been eyeing.
    Three siblings take their chances to win a toy they’ve been eyeing.
  • A couple watches the bussiling carnival below them.
    A couple watches the bussiling carnival below them.
  • Chris Staylen and Bradely Castro went all out for the July 4 carnival
    Chris Staylen and Bradely Castro went all out for the July 4 carnival
  • Brothers bash into eachother on their bumper cars.
    Brothers bash into eachother on their bumper cars.
  • The bumper cars line strung around the carnival where eager children awaited.
    The bumper cars line strung around the carnival where eager children awaited.
  • Conner Baird, Josh Baird, Casey Lyle, Rebecca Baird and Aurora Schafer
    Conner Baird, Josh Baird, Casey Lyle, Rebecca Baird and Aurora Schafer
  • Families make camp to watch the fireworks on the Mills Park lawn.
    Families make camp to watch the fireworks on the Mills Park lawn.
  • Silas Lampe, 2 proudly holds the light saber he got at the carnival.
    Silas Lampe, 2 proudly holds the light saber he got at the carnival.
  • Ziah Lampe,4, speeds around their camp cutting down imaginary bad guys.
    Ziah Lampe,4, speeds around their camp cutting down imaginary bad guys.
  • Our hero, Ziah, takes a break from stopping bad guys to enjoy a handful of cotton candy.
    Our hero, Ziah, takes a break from stopping bad guys to enjoy a handful of cotton candy.
  • The families of Savannah, Danelle and Shantel went all out this July 4.
    The families of Savannah, Danelle and Shantel went all out this July 4.
  • The children of Savannah, Danelle and Shantel gather, eagerly awaiting the fireworks.
    The children of Savannah, Danelle and Shantel gather, eagerly awaiting the fireworks.
  • After enjoying carnival food and rides, guests settled down to watch the firework show.
    After enjoying carnival food and rides, guests settled down to watch the firework show.
  • Magic 95.5 FM broadcast live from the carnival and firework show.
    Magic 95.5 FM broadcast live from the carnival and firework show.
  • Lights from the ferris wheel and other rides shown through the night.
    Lights from the ferris wheel and other rides shown through the night.
  • Guests were wowed by the magnificent show.
    Guests were wowed by the magnificent show.
  • The grand finale was a mix of beautiful colors.
    The grand finale was a mix of beautiful colors.

What began as a July 4th shrouded in clouds and the threat of thunderstorms ended Saturday in glorious, patriotic fashion with a 27-minute fireworks display at Mills Park in Carson City.

The 23rd annual event hosted by RSVP and Carson City Toyota-Scion, was among the longest displays in recent memory, filled with assorted colors of white and blue, with all the rockets red glare.

Thousands gathered at Mills Park and surrounding neighborhoods to catch the display that began at 9:45 p.m. and was simulcast with a live radio remote on Magic 95.5 FM.

It was a near-perfect day with warm weather, even though the threat of rain loomed. It did rain briefly Saturday morning, and weather forecasters urged July 4 revelers to be prepared to take shelter if outdoors, but by late afternoon, the sun began to shine through the clouds and by 6 p.m. any threat of storms was gone.

July 4 in Carson City brought the annual RSVP carnival, a Carson City tradition, which will continue Sunday with plenty of food, rides and unique craft and vendors.

Did you take any photos of Saturday’s events? Submit them to Carson Now for a chance to win tickets to the The Concert Under the Stars featuring Ambrosia and Pablo Cruise on Wednesday, July 8. The concert is sold out, but you can win tickets right here.

Just submit photos and/or videos of the fireworks and other July 4th activities Saturday at this link. The top three submissions that receive the most Facebook likes by Monday at 5 p.m. will each receive two free tickets to the concert. Please include your name.

Note: Video submissions have to be uploaded to YouTube to qualify. Just send us the YouTube link.

Nevada Rural Counties Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, also known as RSVP, holds three fundraising fairs each year to support the Home Companion, Respite Care and Lifeline programs that assist Carson City seniors to remaining independent and in their own homes. The next one will be the Nevada Days Celebration, Oct. 29 through Nov. 1.