Myriad Los Angeles County cities and communities honored the nation’s 250th birthday with parades, religious services, picnics, corndogs galore and, of course, fireworks. Among was most poignant celebrations was the return of the Pacific Palisade 4th of July Parade, back on the streets of the seaside community after last year’s wildfire-spurred postponement.
Fireworks shows, as well as displays by their high-tech peers the airborne drones, filled the week — and more were planned on Saturday night.
A grateful Pacific Palisades community welcomed back its annual Independence Day march for its 77th edition after being canceled last year in the aftermath of the deadly fire that devastated the community.
The massive wildfire killed 12 people, destroyed nearly 7,000 structures and gutted businesses, churches and schools. The fire burned simultaneously with the similarly destructive Eaton Fire in Altadena and other communities in the foothills of the nearby San Gabriel Mountains.
The reborn parade was led by Palisades Kids on Bikes, with participants encouraged to decorate their bicycles and scooters. It will also include the Patriotic Pups and scores of community participants.
The theme was “Our Flag Was Still There,” inspired by the many American flags that appeared throughout Pacific Palisades right after the Jan. 7, 2025 fire. The parade will honor “the resilience, hope and determination that continue to define our community as it rebuilds,” organizers said.
The parade was preceded by the Will Rogers 5K/10K run at 8:15 a.m. and was scheduled to be followed by an evening celebration at Palisades Charter High School, which was to include a drone show.
Meanwhile, Downtown, Archbishop José Gomez presided over a “Mass for the Nation” at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.
“We all share this beautiful vision — the vision of God, the vision of Jesus, the vision of America’s founders,” Gomez said. “This beautiful vision of every man and every woman as a child of God, made in God’s image, with a sanctity and dignity that must be cherished and fostered.”
The plaza program featured singer and actress Andréa Velázquez, along with youth and families from throughout the Archdiocese. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell was also expected to attend.
The program included a procession honoring American saints and candidates for sainthood, including St. Junipero Serra, St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Venerable Fulton Sheen and Servant of God Dorothy Day, officials said.
At the Hollywood Bowl, pop rock stalwarts the Beach Boys were scheduled to headline the iconic venue’s annual fireworks spectacular, with founding member Mike Love at the helm. Fans got a preview of the July 4 show on Friday night.
Love offered up lead vocals on many tunes, but also served as master of ceremonies for the band’s show, which featured the Los Angeles Philharmonic providing big-time musical beef to the Boy’s one-of-a-kind California sound on such familiar songs as “Good Vibrations,” “California Girls and “Surfin’ USA.”
Getting a special spotlight were cuts marking the 60th anniversary of the groundbreaking “Pet Sounds” album, including “God Only Knows” and “Wouldn’t it Be Nice.”
Love helped create the band in Hawthorne in 1961 with the three Wilson brothers — Brian, Dennis and Carl — and school days friend Al Jardine. Musical pioneer Brian Wilson, the performer/producer/arranger/songwriter regarded as the chief architect of the Beach Boys’ trailblazing sound, died last year.
“it makes me so happy to see so many people dancing and singing along to our songs after all these years,” said Love, who turned 85 in March, during Friday’s opening night show.
Love’s son, Christian, took the lead on some tunes, as did TV icon and longtime Beach Boys cohort John Stamos, who shone on drums, keyboards and guitar.
The show featured the Bowl’s annual fireworks spectacular, perfectly timed to a patriotic medley from the L.A. Phil.
On the San Fernando Valley, back on its feet was the annual Sunland-Tujunga parade, saved from cancellation thanks to increased sponsorships and donations.
The Sunland/Tujunga/Shadow Hills Rotary Club, which conducts the parade, announced its cancellation June 1, citing the Los Angeles city government no longer being able to provide services to “First Amendment events” free of charge due to budget cuts.
On June 5, the club announced the parade would be held “thanks to widespread support from our community and beyond.”
The 94th Santa Clarita Valley Fourth of July Parade bore the theme, “Celebrating 250 Years of America’s Freedom, its People, Places and History.”
L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna, and his opponent in the November election, former sheriff Alex Villanueva, Rep. George Whitesides, D-Agua Dulce, and his Republican opponent, Santa Clarita Councilmember Jason Gibbs, rode in the parade.
On the coast, the quirky tradition that is the Hermosa Beach Ironman returned, too, as dozens of people ran, paddled and drank a six pack of suds.
This year’s race, which raises thousands of dollars for charity each year, honored Patricia Benz, who died on Oct. 5, for decades of contributions to the event. Her husband, former Mayor Bob “Burgie” Benz, has been the figurehead of the Ironman for more than 40 years.
Further down the shoreline, Santa Monica’s Fourth of July Parade reversed its traditional route, beginning at Marine Street and traveling about nine-tenths of a mile north on Main Street to Pico Boulevard.
“Pulse in the Park” followed at Tongva Park, with food from Level Up Burgers and Ubatuba, a beer garden, face painting, photo booth, live DJ sets, dance performances and music from the classic rock and contemporary pop music band The Jane Fondas.
In Long Beach, the 22nd Great American Kids’ Bike Parade rolled out anew at One Granada Avenue on the city’s beachside bike path.
La Verne’s Fourth of July Parade chose the theme “Celebrating 250 Years of Independence — La Verne’s Way.” It will begin at 10 a.m. at the corner of 10th and D streets.
The grand marshal was La Verne’s replica of the Liberty Bell, located in front of City Hall. It was cast by the same foundry in London, Whitechapel Bell Foundry, that produced the original bell in 1752, now housed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
Created as part of the nation’s Bicentennial celebration in 1976, 100 duplicate bells were made, with two allocated per state, according to a statement from the city. Bakersfield was the other California city to receive a bell.
La Verne’s bell is a full-scale, exact replica of the original, without the crack.
The theme of Rosemead’s parade was “One Nation. One Community. One Celebration.” It will begin at 10 a.m at Valley Boulevard and Muscatel Avenue and end at Rosemead Park.
With Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger as grand marshal, Valley Village’s Fourth of July Parade launched at Colfax Elementary School and ended at Valley Village Park where the Valley Village Residents Association provided corn dogs, watermelon, cold drinks and cupcakes.
Whittier’s 4th of July Freedom Walk returned to Palm Park on Sunday, a year after it was canceled in the midst of the federal immigration crackdown.
The traditional all-ages morning celebration of the 4th of July began with a flag-raising, followed by the Freedom Walk along the Greenway Trail. Fireworks at York Field, complete with food trucks, live music and inflatables, rounded out the city’s Independence Day festivities.
South Pasadena’s Fourth of July Festival of Balloons parade selected the theme “From Sea to Shining Sea: 250 Years of the American Spirit.”
Westchester’s 26th annual Fourth of July Parade marched out from the entrance to Loyola Marymount University with the theme “250 Years of American Dreams.” The parade is Westchester’s largest event, according to the chamber.
Avalon’s golf cart parade rolled along again along Casino Way. The USC Trojan Marching Band was among the participants.
Claremont’s mile-long Fourth of July Parade featuring Grand Marshal Gary Goltz, the founder of Claremont-based Goltz Judo and a former president of the United States Judo Association.
San Marino’s approximately 1.5-mile parade took to the streets with community volunteer and civic leader Steve Domier as the grand marshal.
City News Service contributed to this report