MOBILE, Ala. — Thousands of local residents and visitors, alike, flocked to Battleship Memorial Park Sunday for the annual Fourth of July celebration, complete with live entertainment and a fireworks extravaganza.

While some revelers were looking for a little light-hearted relief from the ongoing oil spill’s effects, others said they made a point to enjoy the day because of the seemingly endless assault on the region’s shores.

“Mobile Bay’s seen a lot worse than this over the years, and we’ll get through it like all the rest. We’re out here to do our part to keep things going,” said Patrick Davis of Mobile, surrounded by an extended family of close to 30 people on five blankets. The crowd hailed from several locales across Mobile and Baldwin counties.

“The worst thing we could do today would be to sit home and sulk,” Davis said.

Mary Fallon of Eight Mile said she was happy the rain held off despite the ominous clouds looming over the historic USS Alabama as dusk settled over the military park’s grounds.

“I came here for some fireworks, and I’m not leaving until I see them,” Fallon said, with 5-year-old Hannah and 3-year-old Jason in tow.

Just ahead of storm clouds—which never dropped more than a few menacing sprinkles—Marty and Heather Harris found a little respite from the late-afternoon heat under one of the dozens of aircraft dotting the park’s sprawling grounds.

“This is what the Fourth is all about. Good family, good food and good fireworks. I think we all have a lot to celebrate this year,” Marty Harris said, digging in a cooler for a sandwich and a soft drink while his granddaughters chased each other with red-white-and-blue pinwheels.

As darkness fell on the family-friendly scene, Kara Ferguson of Mobile joined in with some friends doing the electric slide while the band, “Icing,” offered the crowd some funk and Motown-tinged tunes.

“It’s just a good night to be out,” Ferguson said, her “Support Our Troops” T-shirt sliding right along with her.