Richmond's 3rd of July spectacular delights crowds

Hundreds turned out for the annual fireworks celebration at Richmond's Marina Bay Wednesday night as an unusually fog-less sky and warmer-than-usual temperatures added to the festive feel of the evening.

In years past, festival-goers donned jackets and parkas, bundling children in blankets to brave the cold wind and typically foggy conditions to catch a glimpse of the fireworks.

But not this year.

Thanks to the heatwave that's brought unseasonably warm temperatures to Richmond.

Crowds started gathering around 5 p.m. at Marina Bay Park for food and fun ahead of the fireworks, which began around 9:30 p.m., drawing the typical "oohs" and "ahs" from spectators who were not just huddled at the waterfront but also gathered on just about every side street available.

Despite the potential for traffic snarls following the festivities, Richmond Police did an amazing job with traffic control, ensuring a smooth exodus from the event.

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