Photos: Tens Of Thousands Pack Navy Pier For Fourth Of July Fireworks

By Gwendolyn Purdom in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 5, 2016 3:25PM

Jury's still out on how America's looking at the ripe young age of 240, but that didn't stop tens of thousands from packing into the Navy Pier area Monday night to celebrate the nation's birthday. The tourist magnet apparently had so many red, white and blue-clad fireworks aficionados flock to its grounds on the Fourth, authorities closed the area's gates about an hour before the fireworks show was scheduled to start, NBC reports, which typically means the pier has reached its capacity of 100,000 people.

To capture the fireworks festivities in all their pyrotechnic glory, we sent photographer Annie Lesser, who spotted revelers decked out in stars and stripes, picnic-blanket-spot-saving ninjas and, of course, the glittering display itself as it lit up the city skyline.

Related: Why Pilsen was the place to be this Fourth of July Weekend.