The 64th annual Armed Forces Day parade and celebration weekend in Torrance is coming up and while the residents fought for the historic parade to remain the same, other things will be different this year.
The Torrance Armed Forces Day Parade was founded in 1960 and is the longest running Department of Defense-sanctioned municipal procession in the nation. The parade – and weekend celebration – has historically drawn tens of thousands of spectators and featured every branch of the military.
Due to decreased attendance in 2025 and rising costs, city staff had proposed altering the celebration to be more cost effective, and when the City Council voted to move the parade from its traditional route along Torrance Boulevard to the Torrance Airport, residents said no. An onslaught of social media messages and emails to council members was met with a swift reversal of that decision.
One argument to keep the parade route the same was because 2026 also marks the 250th anniversary of American independence.
City staff, however, announced last week that the three-day celebration will still be different with very little military attendance.
“This year’s celebration comes with unique challenges,” the city said in a press release. “Due to the ongoing conflict in Iran, the U.S. Department of War has directed all military branches to refrain from participating in public events and has restricted the use of military assets.
“With U.S. military resources currently prioritized for active operations and increased deployments related to the conflict in Iran, the availability of personnel and equipment for public events has been significantly reduced,” the release continued. “While this impacts traditional military involvement, the City of Torrance remains committed to moving forward with a meaningful and memorable celebration.”
While there will be decreased military attendance, each military branch will be represented, according to a city spokesperson.
A different military branch is honored each year and this year’s is the United States Marine Corps.
“As the City of Torrance proudly recognizes the United States Marine Corps as the Honorary Military Branch for the 2026 Armed Forces Day Parade, we honor the generations of Marines whose service has safeguarded our freedoms and whose legacy continues to inspire future defenders of our country,” the city said in a written statement.
This year’s Armed Forces Day Parade Grand Marshall will be Brigadier General Omar J. Randall, commanding general of the 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force. The parade will feature representatives of all military branches, veterans and other local armed forces.
The 2026 Armed Forces Day Parade will take place on Saturday, May 16 at 1:30 p.m., starting at Crenshaw Blvd. and traveling one mile west along Torrance Blvd. and ending at Madrona Ave. at approximately 3:30 p.m.
Also on Saturday will be the Stars & Strides 5K hosted by the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce which will begin at 8 a.m. on the corner of Maple Ave. and Civic Center Dr. This will be the eighth year that the 5K is included in the Armed Forces Day celebration weekend.
“The 5K race, specifically, is important for the business community,” said Donna Duperron, CEO and president of the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce. “It is our way of saying Thank you to those who have served and who are currently serving.”
Duperron said that she expects approximately 900 people to participate in the 5K. Anyone interested in taking part in the 5K can still register for $45 up until the morning of the race.
Part of the 5K is the Freedom Run where each military branch will be represented. Each branch will run in a group, carrying their flag and singing their song.
“It provides an opportunity for us to personally say thank you to those who have served and those who are serving either by attending the parade and clapping as we’re running alongside them,” Duperron said. “It’s really important for our community to celebrate the freedoms that we have.”
There will also be an expo at the beginning of the race, featuring 46 local businesses that will be handing out free samples in addition to a free pancake breakfast for all participants and military personnel.
The Armed Forces Day Exhibit will be open all weekend. Historically, the exhibit has featured highly-coveted military equipment for attendees to view and learn more about. Due to decreased military participation, however, the amount of equipment will be diminished.“Due to current federal restrictions and operational demands, there will likely be fewer military vehicles and equipment on display compared to prior years,” a city spokesperson said.
In light of this, the exhibit, located at Torrance City Yard, will be expanded to include food trucks and a family-friendly “kids zone.”
Also new this year will be a “park and ride” shuttle service from the Mary K. Giordano Regional Transit Center. Non-stop service will be available on Friday, May 15 to and from Torrance City Yard from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, May 16, the shuttle service will be available from 12 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., stopping at the transit center, Maricopa St., Maple Ave. and City Yard. Shuttle service will also be available on Sunday, May 17 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
“Despite global challenges,” the city spokesperson said, “the City of Torrance remains fully committed to honoring the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and bringing the community together for this long-standing tradition.”