Fourth of July celebration travels back in time

Mary Beth P. Adomaitis

It’s almost like going back in time.

Wednesday’s Fourth of July parade will not only mark nearly a century

since the event first took place in Huntington Beach, but also the return

to one of the original parade routes.

“This is really exciting from a city standpoint,” said Robert Kinsler,

Huntington Beach’s public information officer. “This year, the route is

longer so more people can get good views of it.”

This year’s route has been expanded to include a historic portion of

Pacific Coast Highway and Downtown Main Street, and will mark the first

time Pier Plaza is included.

“The parade originally did go down PCH [formerly called Ocean Avenue]

in the very first celebration at the turn of the century,” Kinsler added.

“And this year it will have a different flavor because it will go through

the Downtown business area. As long as I’ve been here, since 1990, we’ve

never done that.”

Kinsler added that the Fourth of July is full of rich Huntington Beach

history.

In 1906, a crowd of about 6,000 gathered for the day’s events, which

included “catching the greased pig,” a baseball game between Anaheim and

Huntington Beach (the city won, 4-2), foot races on then-Ocean Avenue,

horse races, live music and dancing at the Huntington Beach Pavilion and

fireworks on the end of the Pier.

Over the years, a number of other events have been held to celebrate

this country’s independence. Those included a “Slow Mule Race” on the

beach in 1909, a “Wild West Show” complete with bucking broncos and lasso

throwing in 1911, Japanese fencing and jiu jitsu wrestling demonstrations

in 1918 and a penny scramble for children in 1920.

However this year, more than 250,000 are expected to turn out for the

97th annual parade, with people coming from all over Southern California

including the Inland Empire and San Diego.

The parade, itself, is set to the theme “Huntington Beach Celebrates

Waves of Liberty” and features more than 300 floats, television, film,

sports, military personalities and civic and celebrity grand marshals, as

well as marching bands and equestrian units. Singer/actor Lou Rawls will

serve as grand marshal.

“[We] have worked closely with city staff and public safety

departments to insure that public safety is not compromised in any way as

Surf City celebrates America’s 225th birthday,” said Diane Heyden, chair

of the Fourth of July executive board.

Following the parade, from 2 to 7 p.m., there will be a craft fair

held in the Downtown area of Main Street between Walnut and Olive

avenues.

FYI

The 97th annual Huntington Beach Parade will kick off at 10 a.m.

Wednesday at 8th Street and Pacific Coast Highway. It will continue south

to Main Street where it will then travel to Yorktown Avenue.

Residents and guests coming into the Downtown off Goldenwest Street

should enter at Palm or Orange avenues. Beach parking may be accessed at

Huntington Street.

“Staking out” or reserving parade spots will continue to be allowed on

Main Street between 6th Street and Yorktown Avenue beginning at 12:01

a.m. Monday. No “staking out” on Pacific Coast Highway or the Downtown

area of Main Street will be allowed.

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For more information, call the Fourth of July 24-hour hotline at (714)

374-1535 or visit o7 https://www.ci.huntington-beach.ca.usf7 .