Ten Photographers Take on Manhattan Beach 2024 Fireworks

The Manhattan Beach Fireworks, by Ruth Presslaff

A group of ten photographers got together this year to showcase the annual Manhattan Beach Holiday Fireworks for a video unlike previous editions. 

What if each of them showed the display from a different point of view throughout the city? (Watch the results above.)

And that’s exactly what they did. Evelyn Schmitt, who lives on the Strand, took her annual position on the north side of the Pier, while Leticia Hernandez and Karen Brueschle went to the south side. Mark Comon, the president of Paul’s Photo and the Creative Photo Academy in Torrance, got in the middle of the street, looking straight down at the Pier. Ruth Presslaff, Tami Johnson, Peggy Kline and Joy Daunis got into the sand for some unique looks at the show. 

Evelyn Schmitt captured the first fireworks of the night, before the city turned off the lights on the Manhattan Beach Pier.

Meanwhile, this reporter roamed through town to pick up more angles, including the iconic “Season’s Greeting” banner across Manhattan Beach Blvd. and reaction shots of spectators. 

A woman has the sand all to herself as the Manhattan Beach Fireworks ceremony blasts. Photo by Ruth Presslaff

The annual fireworks show is the second largest non-sports event in Manhattan Beach, attracting upwards of 40,000 people. The biggest event is the Hometown Fair, which brings in 60,000 people over 2 days.  

The Manhattan Beach Fireworks, captured by Mark Comon of Paul’s Photo from the center of town

Ten photographers gathered at a fireworks party organized by Evelyn Schmitt to showcase different points of views of the show. From left to right: Mark Comon, Peggy Kline, Joy Daunis , Karen Bruechle, Leticia Hernandez, Donna Balcer, Tami Johnson, Evelyn Schmitt, Ruth Presslaff and Jefferson Graham