Photos by REBECCA BARNETT The Roanoke Times

Fireworks light up the sky — and many rapt faces — at The Roanoke Times Music for Americans celebration on Sunday evening.

Above: Christina Trivitt, 22 (from left), Paige Coleman, 20, and Riley Rowland, 4, all of Roanoke County, play and dance with hula hoops at the July Fourth celebrations on Sunday.

Right: Liberty University students Amber Beck, 20, of Tampa, Fla., and her boyfriend, Brandon Sharp, 20, of Atlanta, play Go Fish.

Above: Christina Trivitt, 22 (from left), Paige Coleman, 20, and Riley Rowland, 4, all of Roanoke County, play and dance with hula hoops at the July Fourth celebrations on Sunday.

Right: Liberty University students Amber Beck, 20, of Tampa, Fla., and her boyfriend, Brandon Sharp, 20, of Atlanta, play Go Fish.

Almost 30,000 people filled the soccer fields at River's Edge Sports Complex for The Roanoke Times Music for Americans event Sunday evening.

With temperatures reaching the mid-90s, couples and families sat in shady areas or under umbrellas. One couple in particular were there to celebrate more than America's birthday.

Bob and Jeannie Villwock of Moneta were celebrating their 34th wedding anniversary. They got married on July 4, 1976, also America's bicentennial.

The two met in high school, though Jeannie Villwock at first wasn't too interested in her future spouse.

"I guess he hung around enough that I just decided to give him a chance," Villwock said, laughing.

The couple arrived early to get a good seat for the fireworks display, which was more than 20 minutes long.

"We try to make sure we come to this every year," Bob Villwock said.

Music for Americans is one of the largest Fourth of July shows in Virginia. For entertainment, the Sway Katz performed a variety of music including classic sounds of big bands, and modern swing revival, vibrant salsa and smooth jazz.