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The Huntington Beach, California Fourth Of July Parade
June 27, 2008 - An annual tradition in the City of Huntington Beach, California, (also known as Surf City) is the Fourth of July parade. The parade is part of the Huntington Beach Fourth of July Festival which is the largest Independence Day celebration in Southern California. In 2008, in addition to the parade, the three day festival includes: an old fashioned pancake breakfast at Lake Park, the Surf City 5K run and Fitness Expo, a three day Pier Festival, and the Fireworks Show later in the evening. Many family activities and plenty of entertainment are available on Main St. and surrounding areas during the event.
For some local residents and out-of-town vacationers, the festivities begin with the early morning Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast at the park followed at 10 AM by the parade. This year marks the 104th anniversary of the largest Fourth of July parade west of the Mississippi. Each year the parade features a celebrity Grand Marshal however, this year there will not be a Grand Marshal. Instead, Community Grand Marshal Noble Waite, the city's oldest residing former City Council member, will preside over the parade. In past years, Grand Marshal's have included: Jayne Mansfield, Natalie Wood, Buzz Aldrin, Johnny Grant, and Lou Rawls.
Early on the morning of July Fourth, the night's quiet is awakened by the roar of bustling men and trucks closing off the downtown streets. Pacific Coast Highway, the main highway along the beach, is closed to automobile traffic at 5 AM. Many smaller neighborhood streets in downtown are also closed. An early morning stroll along Walnut St., towards Main St., reveals a colorful assortment of parade participants preparing themselves and their animals or machines for the upcoming march. The early morning, usually gloomy from a cloudy overcast, provides a kaleidoscope of subtle colors, exotic sounds, and dedicated people; the essence of the parade. A few hours later, under the bright light of the late morning sun, all the subtleties of the early morning spring to life on the asphalt stage.
The parade is expected to be viewed by at least 250, 000 people along the route. Thousands more are expected to see the show on recorded television broadcasts. Starting on Eight St., the two mile route travels over Pacific Coast Highway to Main St. It continues up Main St., through the downtown shopping area and then through the residential neighborhood. The end is just past Huntington Beach High School at Yorktown Ave. The entire route is easily accessible by local residents and visitors from nearby hotels. Various shuttles provide transportation from designated pick-up points throughout the city to the parade route. The favorite mode of travel by the locals however, is the bicycle.
More than 300 entries will parade through the streets. Numerous bands, floats, military vehicles, local dignitaries, movie and television celebrities, clowns, and equestrian units will march past the crowds. A military jet fighter fly-by usually marks the start of the parade. This year for the first time, a professional skydiving team, The Red Bull Air Force, will land during the parade. Tito Ortiz, "The Bad Boy of Huntington Beach, " well known mixed martial arts champion, is the Sports Grand Marshal of the parade. Joining him will be Teen Grand Marshal Jennette McCurdy, co-star of the Nickelodeon sitcom iCarly. An annual favorite at each year's parade is the Huntington Beach Surf Museum's entry which usually features a historical woody wagon loaded with legendary surfers and old time surfboards. A memorable moment during a parade a few years ago was US Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) entertaining the spectators by dancing through the streets.
For many Huntington Beach "locals" the Fourth of July Parade is a tradition passed on through generations. Some of today's Huntington Beach parents and grandparents grew up eagerly anticipating the Fourth of July Parade each year. On the day before the parade, in the residential part of the parade route, certain areas on the green belt separating Main St. are reserved by nearby residents. Many of these "staked out" spots along the parade route are claimed by families who have occupied the same spot for several generations. Most spectators view the parade from the curbside and sidewalks along the route. Some prefer to watch in total comfort from the limited grandstand seats which can be purchased for $ 15.00 each.
Traditionally, the weather at the beach in Huntington Beach on the morning of July Fourth is cloudy. The local residents begin to stir at about 8:00 AM and by 9:00 AM activity is definitely noticeable in the streets. Leisurely, the locals and visitors begin to trek towards the parade route, some with coffee and donuts in hand. Many walk: pushing the baby in the stroller, or carrying the ice chest between two friends, or toting chairs and blankets at their side. Others travel on bicycles. Not just any bicycles; this is the time many exotic bicycles and derivatives are exhibited. On many bikes, the stars and stripes are boldly displayed. By 9:30 AM, Pacific Coast Highway becomes a predominantly red, white, and blue sea of bodies: all moving towards Main St. And finally, as the morning lingers on, the sun begins to spread its wings over the celebration.
Promptly at 10 AM, the greatly anticipated Huntington Beach Fourth of July Festival begins with the start of the parade. The downtown Main St. sidewalks are usually packed with families, friends, and neighbors. Children can be seen dressed in various colorful patriotic costumes. Parents, and other young and old adults, exhibit an assortment of holiday attire: mostly red, white, and blue. Also popular on this day are the tall Abe Lincoln hats, adorned with patriotic colored ribbons and buttons. In the residential area of Main St., families and friends gather on front lawns frolicking and partying as the parade marches by. The atmosphere during the parade is reminiscent of a rural small town gathering: everyone knows each other and is smiling and happy.
In today's economic era of "stay-cations" instead of "vacations, " low mileage outings are becoming a necessity. Huntington Beach is just a short drive from Los Angeles and other surrounding major cities thus making it an ideal, inexpensive place to visit. For locals and visitors alike, a trip to the Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade and Festival provides an enjoyable get-away for fun, camaraderie, patriotism, sun and sand.
Sources:
Photos: http://www.Surfography.com http://hb4thofjuly.org/ http://www.hb4thofjuly.org/HBGeneralRelease.pdf http://www.surfcityusa.com/plan/events/0000001088/view.php
By Edward G. Roberts - Hello,May I introduce you to Edward G. Roberts.
Edward is a middle aged photographer, writer, and traveler who has many stories to tell. Edward also has strong opinions and feelings about certain thin...
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