A sizzling Fourth

Kenneth Ma

HUNTINGTON BEACH -- Under clear skies and balmy heat, nearly 300,000

people lined Main Street to watch celebrities, veterans, marching bands,

horses and a plethora of floats during the city’s 96th annual Fourth of

July Parade.

The largest parade of its kind west of the Mississippi River brought

the community together in a show of civic pride, while erasing bad

memories of a sluggish holiday weekend last year for Downtown merchants.

Patriotic crowds arrived early to claim spots along the parade route

and enthusiastically cheered participants, clapping and waving small

American flags. The annual event began with a flyover by three military

helicopters and a Huntington Beach Police Department helicopter.

Pearl Harbor survivors and veterans of other wars traveled down the

parade route between young Naval Sea Cadet troops. Other entries -- such

as bands, cheerleaders, horseback riders, clowns and television

celebrities -- also made their way along the three-mile route between

Acacia and Clay avenues.

As the city’s first parade in the new millennium, this year’s theme

was “Celebrating the Century,” with tributes to the past, present and

future.”It is nice to see the community come together,” said Surf City

resident Cynthia Doe as she watched the parade. “Everyone puts aside

their differences for a day of fun.”Doe said she was pleased to see

veterans march at the front of the parade.

“They preserved our flag and country,” she said. “That is what the

Fourth of July is all about.”Having been a spectator for 26 years, Doe

said she enjoys the parade more these days because of the diversity of

its participants.

Garden Grove resident David Armendariz said he was happy to see many

different community groups in the parade.

The parade “is a good way to come out to celebrate,” said Armendariz,

who made his third trip to Surf City’s parade because his city doesn’t

have one.

Huntington Beach resident Ken Coddington said the parade atmosphere

was relaxing because spectators were well-behaved.

His children -- Desiree, 8, and Daniel, 6 -- raved about the music,

food, horses, floats and bands.

Police Chief Ronald Lowenberg said the parade and other events of the

day were calm and peaceful, continuing a trend of the last several years.

The department reported only 32 arrests, mostly for drinking in public.

“Everyone has been behaving themselves,” Lowenberg said.

For Downtown merchants on Main Street, patriotism and good business go

hand in hand, as the holiday weekend is traditionally one of the busiest

times of the year.

Akira Fukuda, general manager of Jack’s Surfboards, said business for

the holiday weekend increased up to 40% from last year.

A growing number of parade spectators and clean beaches are some of

the factors that helped boost his business, Fukuda said.

Last summer, frequent beach closures took a toll on merchants as sales

took a dip.

Fukuda said the volume of sales from last year’s Fourth of July took

just half a day to achieve this year.

“We have had cashiers who were ringing up people nonstop for two

hours,” he said. “I am very satisfied.”

The store increased staff by 25% to accommodate the holiday rush, he

said.

A manager of a Downtown restaurant, BJ’s Pizza & Grill, said the

eatery broke sales records every day over the long holiday weekend.

Lisa Houge said the open beaches and parade, a draw for business,

played a part in the successful sales.