Sweltering heat and scattered showers weren’t going to stop Suffolk residents from celebrating the Fourth of July at Constant’s Wharf in downtown Suffolk.

The walkway was lined with food vendors, churches and other businesses ready with goodies to give away, and in the corner, there were multiple bounce houses for children to enjoy.

Before 6 p.m. people had already claimed their spots for the firework display.

The holiday meant a lot of people didn’t have to go to work and they had the opportunity to spend time with friends and family.

“The best part of it is being able to spend time with my family and celebrate,” said Rito Baca.

Baca was sitting as close as he could to the water with his family, and all three of his children were ready for the fireworks to begin.

Though the fireworks weren’t until later in the evening, most people were getting shuttled in by Suffolk Parks and Recreation buses every fifteen minutes to make sure they could find a place to put their chairs.

Latoria Lassiter was adamant that she had the perfect spot to watch the fireworks this year as she sat further off the water by the Hilton Garden Inn.

“It’s nice because the kids get to enjoy themselves today,” Lassiter said. “I love the fireworks and just having fun.”

While the event was getting packed full of Suffolk locals, some of the visitors were brand new to the area.

Justin Roberts and Jayme Guiney were looking somewhere new to vacation for the Fourth of July and thought Suffolk would be the perfect place to see the fireworks.

“We were looking for someplace new for a vacation,” Guiney said. “We are actually from Pittsburgh.”

First Baptist Church knew that people enjoying the fireworks were bound to get hot, and they came prepared with coolers full of cold water. Without hesitation, the group lined up on the walkway to pass out waters to anyone that walked by.

Members from First Baptist were happy to be celebrating the holiday.

“My favorite part of the holiday is what we are celebrating,” FBC member Mike Parker said. “Fourth of July means everything to me. It’s freedom and the freedom to worship how I want and to celebrate the gospel.”

Most families were having fun, and the Parks and Recreation employees were making sure to have some fun too.

“This is my first year doing this and I am looking forward to the experience,” said Jalyn Brown.

Brown and her co-workers were having fun blowing bubbles with the children as they got ready for the firework show.