Fourth of July festivities in the southland

A large crowd watched the unveiling of the Freedom Sculpture Tuesday along Santa Monica Blvd.

A large crowd gathered to watch the unveiling of the Freedom Sculpture Tuesday along Santa Monica Blvd.

Large crowds line the beach and the pier to watch the Fourth of July fireworks explode over the ocean at the Huntington Beach pier.

Fireworks light up the sky over the Music Center at the Grand Park and Music Center 4th of July Block Party.

Orange County Boy Scouts Troop 227, of Huntington Beach, carry a flag during the annual Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade.

Marlene Hermes, of Huntington Beach, attends her 48th Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade.

Charros San Gabriel ride in the 2017 Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade.

Private 1st Class Robert St. Paul, US Army WWII veteran, center, during the Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade. “United We Stand” was the theme of this year’s parade.

VW Buses representing the International Surfing Museum in the Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade.

Tim Terrel, with the New Orleans Jazz Band, performs during the Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade.

Gladys Carrillo and Eric Bermave, center, of Los Angeles, attend the Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade.

Karla Gilkey aboard the United We Stand float during the Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade.

Children play in the fountain at Grand Park during the Fourth of July Block Party.