Rockets’ Red Glare Returns

Thousands flocked to Huntington Beach on Sunday for the city’s centennial Fourth of July parade and its first waterfront fireworks display in more than 30 years.

Mild temperatures and sunshine also drew elbow-to-elbow crowds at many other Orange County beaches, and flat surf kept rescues below average for the summer holiday.

“Our guards would probably enjoy a little more activity,” said San Clemente lifeguard Steve Lashbrook, “if nothing else but for a little stimulation.”

In Huntington Beach, authorities estimated that more than 60,000 people gathered to watch pyrotechnics at the pier. The display was scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.

City officials had been reluctant to endorse beachfront fireworks, fearful that traffic and disturbances from an anticipated crowd of 100,000 or more would overshadow family-oriented activities.

But after dozens of residents and business owners told the City Council that Huntington Beach has matured and left behind its history of Fourth of July public disturbances, the council relented.

By early evening, police said, Sunday’s crowd was large but mostly well-behaved.

Nevertheless, Lisa Dellano, 43, wasn’t going to take anything for granted. When she heard of the city’s plans for fireworks at the pier, she canceled her Fourth of July plans to visit Lake Tahoe and prepared her 3rd Street bungalow for a major public disturbance.

“We’ve been here through all the riots,” said Dellano, who removed anything that could catch fire from her backyard and watered down the area.

Even without fireworks, downtown rowdiness has marred Fourth of July celebrations in Huntington. Seven years ago, more than 500 people were arrested during a drunken spree in which fires were set and patrol cars overturned.

Last week, the Police Department reviewed riot practices, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department and the California Highway Patrol were called in to help keep the peace this year.

Jerry Thornton, 58, of Huntington Beach said he was sure there wouldn’t be any problems and planned to take his grandchildren to the fireworks display.

“I think there will be enough of a police presence to keep it under control,” he said. “I’ve heard some bad things, but I think it’s a different time.”

Sunday morning, more than 200,000 spectators assembled along the parade route and residents decorated their homes for the celebration.

Every year for the last 15 years, Judy Zeller, 64, and her husband, Si, have gussied up their Main Street house in red, white and blue for the parade.

A huge blue sign plastered on the chimney proclaimed “Happy Centennial HB.”

Flags fluttered in the breeze, and homemade posters celebrated family and friends with photos from past Fourth of July holidays.

“We decorate every year, just to share in the spirit,” Judy Zeller said. “It’s family time. That’s the biggest thing -- it’s uniting families, sharing, caring.”

Brant Blasingame, 51, of Huntington Beach said out-of-state floats and performers have added to the length and variety of the parade. He is drawn back every year to see the war veterans.

“The Pearl Harbor survivors ... they’re living history,” he said.

The holiday was not without mishaps. In Anaheim, a 17-year-old boy and his 13-year-old sister were seriously injured when a metal pipe packed with fireworks powder detonated, police said.

Authorities and the Orange County bomb squad went to the scene of the explosion late Sunday morning at an apartment house in the 1200 block of West Pearl Street.

“They were trying to make their own fireworks,” said Sgt. Rick Martinez, a spokesman for the Anaheim Police Department.

“It detonated while they were trying to put it together,” Martinez said.

The teenagers, who were home alone, were taken to UCI Medical Center in Orange.

Police said the boy lost a thumb and suffered injuries to his face. His sister sustained major injuries to her legs and feet.

Martinez said fireworks are illegal in Anaheim because they can cause serious injury. “We have been trying to stress the message that when you are playing with any type of explosive powder, you are running a risk of sustaining major injuries,” he said.

Police said they found another metal tube inside the siblings’ apartment. A pending investigation will determine whether criminal charges should be filed.

Those who did not want to brave the beach crowds settled for tandem bike rides, basketball or picnics at Mile Square Regional Park in Fountain Valley and other parks.

Visitors to Mile Square park included those who battled the throngs at the beach and lost. Nancy Wood of Colorado Springs, Colo., spent a frustrating 90 minutes searching for a parking spot in Newport Beach before giving up and heading to Mile Square. Wood and her family decided to set up beach chairs and spread their beach towels on the grass.

“We wanted to go the beach on the Fourth,” said Wood, 41. “I think the kids are a little disappointed.”

Davis Nicart, 26, of Anaheim Hills went to the park hoping to catch bass and catfish in the small pond there.

“I don’t think there are any more bass left,” said Nicart, who eventually caught three tiny catfish using pieces of hot dogs as bait. He tossed the fish back into the pond.

Times staff writers Sara Lin and Susan Anasagasti contributed to this report.