Thousands gathered in Downtown on Tuesday evening to celebrate at the Parks and Recreation Department's 12th annual Light Up Arlington.

This year's celebration, which encompassed several blocks north and south of City Hall and the new George W. Hawkes Downtown Library, included some of the top musical acts in the Dallas-Fort Worth region, vendors, concessions, food trucks and plenty of kid-friendly fun. Bands performed at multiple stages around Downtown, including the Levitt Pavilion.

Pony rides, train rides, a petting zoo and inflatable games were just some of the activities available for the little ones. Arlington's fireworks display, originally expected to begin at 9:45 p.m., was delayed because of high winds. But eventually the spectacular show was able to begin, lighting up the heart of Arlington in red, white and blue in celebration of Independence Day.