A crowd enjoyed the fun and tradition at Sunland-Tujunga 4th of July parade

A tradition was created decades ago when the Sunland-Tujunga community — its residents, businesses and local leaders — decided to throw a 4th of July parade. It turned out to be a big success over the decades. Another crowd showed up again this year, lining the streets on Friday morning to enjoy the show, which began at the intersection of Mt. Gleason Avenue and Foothill Boulevard, and wrapped up at Sunland Park.

Hosted by Sunland-Tujunga Shadow Hills Rotary Club and Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council, the colorful parade has a longtime tradition of beautiful horses, vintage cars and local history including “the oldest rock” in the area. The “Oldest Rock in Sunland-Tujunga” has what looks like a face, and it has its own Facebook page that explains, “I am a rock. I am old. I am proud to have lived in Sunland-Tujunga for at least 58 million years.”

Lydia Grant, president of the Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council, said, “In this year’s Historic Sunland-Tujunga 4th of July Parade, Smokey the Bear and the Tujunga Hot Shots joined the event as the grand marshalls. The annual parade was started over 50 years ago, leaving the community a continuing legacy of working together. This year under the leadership of our local Rotary Club, Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council, American Legion 377, and other service clubs, our wonderful community members volunteered their time to make our annual parade a great success and continue a long-standing tradition.”