Main Street Hosts Annual Independence Day Parade for July 4th, 2018

This article is intended as a roundup of 4th of July events locally.

The 12th annual Fourth of July Parade will kick off once again this year on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 - at 9:30am. Starting off at Pico and Main, thousands will gather to march, ride and perform.

This year's theme "Bringing Communities Together", celebrates diversity and parade organizers are calling on local residents, service and family groups, along with businesses, to participate, volunteer and cheer on the parade as it marches down Main Street.

Parade organizers are also looking for volunteers to help with the event. Those interested can visit the volunteer tab http://www.santamonicaparade.com to sign up.

Spectators are encouraged to walk, ride bikes, scooters, and other forms of unique transportation to come down to Main Street.

The 1.5-mile route from Santa Monica Civic Center at 1855 Main Street south towards Venice, turning west on Marine Street and then north on Bernard Way before ending just short of Ocean Park Blvd.

Parking is will be available on meters West of Main Street, and at the Civic Center surface lot for a flat rate of $5, beginning at 6:00am. Please be aware that there will be bus delays and detours, and several streets will be blocked:

Main from Colorado to Pico 6 am-12 pm; Main from Pico to Marine 9 am-12 pm; Neilson at Marine 10 am-12 pm

Pico, Bay, Bicknell, Pacific, Strand, Hollister, Ocean Park, Hill, Ashland, Pier and Marine between Fourth and Neilson Way 8 am to 12pm

The parade theme is also reflected in this year's diversity of its participants including local historian, "Mr. Ocean Park History" Richard Orton.

Riley Gerlach, a 4th grader at Roosevelt Elementary who won the 2018 Miss Amazing California Pageant and was crowned the "Pre-Teen Queen", will be there.

Other participants include State Senator and born-and-raised Santa Monican Ben Allen; former Mayors including Judy Abdo, Assemblymember Richard Bloom, Ruth Goldway, Paul Rosenstein, Nat Trives and Denny Zane.

For a full parade map, and additional information, visit http://www.santamonicaparade.com

Santa Monica had its fireworks display early as usual, on Saturday night June 30th. The 4th of July comes early to Santa Monica, on Saturday June 30th. Santa Monica College will host a bring or buy your own food type picnic, followed by fireworks at SMC's stadium. Fireworks should start around 8:30 or 9, which is sunset. Event is free and seating is limited.

"SMC's Independence Day Celebration-the biggest, most sensational patriotic community event on the Westside! Bring your family and friends to SMC for a star-spangled salute to our nation's independence. Get there early, picnic on the lawn, enjoy continuous entertainment and special exhibits (with plenty of refreshments available for purchase), and cap off the evening with a spectacular fireworks salute to America."

Other events:

Pacific Palisades will, as usual, host a 5k and 10k run on Wednesday morning, July 4th. A "small town" parade down Sunset Blvd in Pacific Palisades will follow at noon, and fireworks in the evening from Palisades High School at about 9 pm.

Celebrate July 4 at Theatricum Botanicum's 4th annual 'Family Barn Dance' and Barbeque

Wednesday, July 4 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Family Barn Dance and Barbeque  - Celebrate the 4th at Theatricum with a family hoe-down. Activities include live music, a barn dance, pie-eating contest, watermelon seed-spitting contest, cake walk, horseshoes, relay races, dunk bucket, family games, silent auction and more. Barbeque and fixin's, beer and wine available for purchase. Folk and country fun!

Wednesday, July 4 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd.

4th of July Backyard Cookout at Brennan's

4089 Lincoln Blvd, Marina del Rey, CA 90292

Brennan's 4th of July Backyard Cookout

Wednesday, July 4th | Starting at 11:30am 

BBQ Specials | Live Music | Games

Party like a patriot at the greatest pre-firework party on the Westside. Brennan's will be grilling up favorites like hot dogs, brats, burgers, skewers, corn on the cobb, and more! Enjoy Cold Tall Boys, Corn Hole Tournament, Badminton Tournament, and Live Music from 12pm -7pm!

The Queen Mary's All-American 4th of July Celebration Announces Action-Packed Day of Live Entertainment

Unforgettable Celebrations by Popular Tribute Bands, Dueling Pianos, DJs, Aerialist, Family-Friendly Games, Tours, & More on July 4, 2018 Queen Mary's Mega Fireworks Display Paints the Night Sky at 9pm Long Beach Harbor

Celebrate Independence Day

 Wednesday, July 4th at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse Sunken Gardens 5pm - FREE!

Join Cielo Foundation for a patriotic concert of marches by John Philip Sousa and classic Americana from George M. Cohen, Leonard Bernstein, Scott Joplin & more bring sunscreen, blankets, folding chairs, umbrellas and after the concert walk to the beach for the fireworks display!