SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- Thousands gathered in Springfield to celebrate the Fourth of July at the 16th annual Light of Liberty Celebration.

The celebration at Island Park was presented by the Springfield Utility Board. Visitors enjoyed food, games, live music and of course a firework show.

Vietnam veteran Richard Thompson said he was looking forward to see Starshiphealding during the festival and said the holiday serves as a reminder to what he fought for.

"It's a celebration of our whole country, not just one small area," Thompson said. "Being a veteran I take it really seriously, my country means a lot to me."

Meredith Clark with the Springfield Utility Board said the celebration also serves as a fundraiser for Project Share, a payment assistance program that helps low- and fixed-income Springfielders struggling with wintertime heating emergencies.

"You come out in the warm weather and it helps people with their heating bills," Clark said.

Clark said the raised enough money to help over 250 families last year.