EMBED >More News Videos ABC7 proudly broadcasted the 114th annual Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade on Wednesday. EMBED >More News Videos There's a lot you may not know about this patriotic tune. EMBED >More News Videos According to a new WalletHub ranking, the nation's capital might not be the best places to watch the fireworks on Independence Day. HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- ABC7 proudly broadcasted the 114th annual Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade on Wednesday.The 2018 theme was "A Star-Spangled Salute. "The parade, which kicked off at 10 a.m., marched down the streets of downtown Huntington Beach and included floats, marching bands and lots of patriotism.It was led by grand marshal Burt Ward, best known for playing Batman's sidekick Robin.The parade route began at Pacific Coast Highway and 9th Street and traveled south on PCH, turned left on Main Street and ended past Yorktown Avenue.After the parade, entertainment on the pier will continue until 9 p.m., when the annual fireworks show begins.The Huntington Beach Parade has been held since 1904 and is the largest Fourth of July parade west of the Mississippi.For more information, visit<doc-sep>Rosie the Riveter flexes her muscles during the the 114th Huntington Beach Fourth of July parade in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) Boy Scouts carry Huntington Beach’s historic Freedom Flag, flown over Valley Forge, Independence Hall, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Gettysburg and the U.S. Capitol, during the 114th Fourth of July parade in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) Children scramble to get candy during the 114th Huntington Beach Fourth of July parade in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) Devon Holt springs into action on his jumping stilts during the 114th Huntington Beach Fourth of July parade in downtown Huntington Beach on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) Curtis Husted rolls along the parade route in his “German Wheel” during the 114th Huntington Beach Fourth of July parade on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) El Bekal Shriners zoom around in Tin Lizzies during the 114th Huntington Beach Fourth of July parade on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) A passenger pup takes in the sights during the bike parade which kicked off the 114th Huntington Beach Fourth of July event in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) Kitty sits pretty on a customized skate board built by owner Dennis Bennett. They were cruising in the bike parade, which kicked off the Fourth of July parade in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) Ruffle, a 20-year-old Macaw, watches the 114th Huntington Beach Fourth of July parade with owner Carlos Zamrron, who says the bird is a very loving companion. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) Children chase bubbles during the 114th Fourth of July parade themed, “A Star Spangled Salute.” The event included celebrities, bands and community organizations in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) Tonita Langdon feels the patriotism during the 114th Huntington Beach Fourth of July parade in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. The long-time resident says she attends every year. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) Historic military aircraft pass over the Huntington Beach Fourth of July parade in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) California State Military Recruiters greet the crowd during the Fourth of July parade in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) Charlee Pelle walks the Huntington Beach Fourth of July parade route with miniature horse, Lexi, on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) The crowd watches performers during the Fourth of July parade in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) One-year-old Charlotte Hinz and her dad Matt watch the Huntington Beach Fourth of July parade on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) It’s a dog at a pony show as this pooch watches the horses gallop past at the Huntington Beach Fourth of July parade on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) El Bekal Shriners zoom around in Tin Lizzies during the 114th Huntington Beach Fourth of July parade on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) A couple comes face-to-face on a unique bicycle built for two during the bike parade in Huntington Beach on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. The Fourth of July parade followed. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) Huntington Beach motorcycle officer Frank Gallant, wears patriotic shades as he leads off the 114th Huntington Beach Fourth of July parade on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) A boy in the back of a burley stroller takes in the sights during the Huntington Beach Fourth of July parade on Wednesday, July 4, 2018. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG) Mark and Peggy-Ann Kavanaugh enjoyed the sea of red, white and blue, parade floats, decorative bicycles, marching bands and military service members passing by as the couple sat with their dog, Buddy, on a grassy area across the street from Huntington Beach High School. The Huntington Beach couple said they have attended the annual Fourth of July parade in the city for 10 years, viewing it as a way to connect with neighbors. “It’s a sense of community,” Mark Kavanaugh, 56, said Wednesday. “Everyone just seems to relax, and stop and think about the country and what’s happened in the past and where we are today and why we got here.” And estimated more than half a million revelers cheered as parade floats and school bands marched the 2.3-mile route up Main Street from Pacific Coast Highway to Yorktown Avenue. Billed as the oldest Fourth of July parade west of the Mississippi, the procession turned 114-years-old Wednesday. This year’s theme was “A Star-Spangled Salute.” “It just encompasses all patriotic feelings,” said parade director Pat Stier. “When you look at the world, you have your own feelings on it. It’s just a good all-around theme that we try to make general for everybody.” The grand marshal this year was Burt Ward, the actor best known for playing Robin in the 1960s “Batman” TV series. Sporadic chants of “USA, USA” could be heard throughout the parade route, high school bands played “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag” and World War II veterans waved from slow-moving cars while current military service members walked and greeted the crowd. Up above, police helicopters and Navy planes flew overhead. On-lookers donned their flashiest red, white and blue attire on the sunny day in observance of the holiday and thousands riding beach cruiser bicycles crowded Main Street before the procession got under way. On Pacific Coast Highway and 8th Street, Huntington Beach resident Amy Kremnitzer stood near her bicycle decked out in American flag regalia. Kremnitzer wore a tutu and hair pins in the colors of the flag. The 36-year-old said she has been a fixture at the celebration for 12 years and started decorating her bicycle five years ago. “It’s fun,” Kremnitzer said. “We know how to celebrate here.” The parade is one of many gatherings across Orange County celebrating Independence Day. The beachside parade began in 1904 and is one of three events being held in the Surf City on Wednesday – the others being a 5K run and a fireworks show.<doc-sep>Need to know where to go to see fireworks, enjoy a parade or a celebration this Independence Day near Huntington? Patch has you covered.<doc-sep>
Thousands of people of all ages lined the streets of Main Street, Lyons Avenue and Orchard Village Road Wednesday morning for the annual Santa Clarita Fourth of July Parade. This year’s Grand Marshall was Fred Trueblood with the theme “It is a Grand Old Flag.” The parade is set to be dedicated to the memory of Fred’s mother, Bobbie Trueblood Davis, according to event officials. The day began with a pancake breakfast fundraiser at the start of the parade route, with participants arriving as early as 6 a.m. Beginning at the Newhall Roundabout in front of Hart Park at around 9 a.m., parade participants started to fill the streets, handing out free water and merchandise to spectators. This year’s parade kicked off with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department motorcycle deputies and the American Legion Riders who — in addition to monitoring the parade route and helping with traffic operations throughout the morning — presented the Colors. Following in the tradition of years past, those in attendance were able to then see the members of the Vietnam Veterans Lost Patrol Chapter 355, a nonprofit organization that serves veterans of all eras in the communities of San Fernando, Santa Clarita, Antelope and Simi valleys. On the Lost Patrol’s float were five homeless Vets living at the Midnight Mission, who are “trying to get their lives back together and join back in to society,” according to Randall Phillips, a member of Chapter 355. A number of Santa Clarita politicians, candidates and local leaders were spotted in the Fourth of July procession as well. Congressman Steve Knight and Assemblyman Dante Acosta were among those riding a parade vehicle. LIVE! 4th Of July Parade in Old Town Newhall The annual 4th Of July parade is live! Posted by KHTS Radio on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 All of the members of the Santa Clarita City Council, including Mayor Laurene Weste, Mayor Pro Tem Marsha McLean, Councilman Bob Kellar, Councilman Cameron Smyth and Councilman Bill Miranda, were in the parade. The parade closed out with the Santa Clarita Valley Trolley which carried dozens of Santa Clarita volunteers who managed the clean up for the event. Report a typo or error, email Corrections@hometownstation.com KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.