Korin Korpi, middle, untangles balloons for her daughter Finley LaFont 6, right, and ErinLyn Flamma, 9, during an Independence Day gathering of family and neighbors on Chestnut Street in Claremont, N.H., on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. The group, including from back left, Ginny West, Gene Desharnais, and Mike Shepard, set off their own fireworks while waiting to watch the city's display in Monadnock Park from home. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. valley news photographs — James M. Patterson

Elliot Duquette, 9, pauses his sword fight with a balloon to laugh during the Independence Day celebration at Monadnock Park in Claremont, N.H., on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com. James M. Patterson

Ryelee Gallien, 5, of center, of Newport, watches her escaped balloon drift away with her grandmother Dawn Miller, of Newport, right, during Independence Day festivities in Monadnock Park in Claremont, N.H., on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. "We have more balloons," said Jimmie Neilsen, senior pastor of Remix Church in Charlestown, which was handing them out from their tent in the park. "I ran out of helium," he added. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.

A balloon floats away over Monadnock Park in Claremont, N.H., after Ryelee Gallien, 5, center, of Newport, lost her grasp on its string during Independence Day festivities on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.

Emily Tremblay, left, and her husband Todd, middle, of Newport, double up their lighters to ignite a sparkler for Bradley Dougher, 10, of Windsor, right, while waiting for the fireworks display to begin at Monadnock Park in Claremont, N.H., on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. (Valley News - James M. Patterson) Copyright Valley News. May not be reprinted or used online without permission. Send requests to permission@vnews.com.