Dancers perform at the opening ceremonies of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Minister Elim Lau sings the national anthem at the opening ceremonies of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Immortals Lion Dancers perform at the opening ceremonies of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A thousand firecrackers are ignited to kick off the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The First Chinese Baptist Church Choir performs at the opening ceremonies of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Members of Boy Scout Troop 737 from Walnut present the Colors at the opening ceremonies of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Babak Dadvand of Woodland Hills awaits the start of the 20-mile bike ride as part of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Bicyclists gather for the start of 50 and 20-mile bike rides at the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Bicyclists gather for the start of 50 and 20-mile bike rides at the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Hundreds of bikers begin a 50-mile bike ride as part of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Hundreds of bikers begin a 50-mile bike ride as part of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Hundreds of bikers begin a 50-mile bike ride as part of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Hundreds of bikers begin a 50-mile bike ride as part of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Hundreds of bikers begin a 50-mile bike ride as part of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Dancers perform at the opening ceremonies of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Hundreds of bikers begin a 50-mile bike ride as part of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Dancers perform at the opening ceremonies of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Hundreds of bikers begin a 50-mile bike ride as part of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Hundreds of bikers begin a 50-mile bike ride as part of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Hundreds of bikers begin a 50-mile bike ride as part of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Hundreds of bikers begin a 50-mile bike ride as part of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Immortals Lion Dancers perform at the opening ceremonies of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Immortals Lion Dancers perform at the opening ceremonies of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Immortals Lion Dancers perform at the opening ceremonies of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Immortals Lion Dancers perform at the opening ceremonies of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
The Immortals Lion Dancers perform at the opening ceremonies of the Chinatown Firecracker Festival on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Celebrating 46 years, the L.A. Chinatown Firecracker is one of the biggest and oldest running races in the U.S., and on Saturday it started and ended at Historic Chinatown Central Plaza with a lot of happy runners — and hardcore distance bicyclists — all looking pretty good as they crossed the line. Not to be ignored, the Paw-er Dog Walk started next, with opening Paw ceremonies at 9 a.m. — a favorite with the crowd.
The Firecracker is produced by the nonprofit L.A. Chinatown Firecracker Run Committee (LACFRC), volunteers who put their time into organizing and staging events and programs that embrace health, fitness and cultural awareness. Much appreciated, especially if you’ve just bicycled for 50 miles and you want to talk your friends into doing it next year. Those who just wanted to relax hung out at the Chinatown Firecracker Expo/Festival beer garden, which was open to the public, as was the Lantern Paw Festival at Blossom Plaza.
The action continues on Sunday, starting off as it did on Saturday with the National Anthem, color guard, the “lighting of 100,000 firecrackers,” dragon dancers and special guests. Sunday’s activities, from 7:15 a.m. to noon, include the 5K Run/Walk, the 10K Run and the Kiddie Run.
