Every year around the Fourth of July and New Year's, at Mile 52 of the Parks Highway, a whole lot of Alaskans buy fireworks. Families pour out of cars in the parking lot and gather in front of colorful vendor displays. On Saturday, July 1, some buyers spent just a couple minutes there, leaving with a handful of goodies. Others spent closer to an hour, planning out intricate fireworks displays. Everyone was excited.
[July 4 fireworks: Where you legally can and can't have a personal pyrotechnic show]
[Here's what's happening on Fourth of July, from North Pole to Juneau]