Pride on parade

Danette Goulet

It is the pinnacle of summer fun in Surf City -- the Fourth of July

Parade and celebration.

While everyone has their own idea of the perfect summer pastime,

crowds of 300,000 agree each year that the Fourth of July is done best

here in Huntington Beach.

In its 98th year it remains the largest Fourth of July parade West of

the Mississippi, with more than 300 floats, bands and military entries.

“We’ve become a big city, but we try to capture that feeling of small

town USA, because thats what we really are and we don’t want to lose

that,” said Councilman Ralph Bauer, of the tradition.

As his last year in the parade as an elected official, this year holds

a special significance for Bauer who plans to go all out.

“This is my last parade. So what I’ve done, I’m going to rent, at my

own expense, a London-style bus and load it up with the Olympians we have

here in Huntington Beach,” he said. “I have identified 12 Olympians in

Huntington Beach or closely related to Huntington Beach and they and

their families are invited to ride with me -- its going to be the Olympic

bus. That’s going to be my Swan’s song.”

Like Bauer, many hold a special place in their hearts for the event.

Each year the day’s events grow, but the local pride has been around

since its early years. 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

what was then known as Ocean Avenue, horse races, live music and dancing

at the Huntington Beach Pavilion and fireworks on the end of the

Pier.Times have changed and the parade has adapted with them over the

years.

The theme of the 98th celebration is “Huntington Beach celebrates the

Spirit of America,” and will honor, as guests, two port authority

officers, a New York firefighter and a general from the Pentagon in

Washington D.C. who was there on Sept. 11 during the terrorist attacks,

said Connie Young, a member of the Fourth of July Executive Board.

This year’s celebrity grand marshal is Doris Roberts, better known as

meddlesome mother on the sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond.”

Depending on your mood and interests the day can begin any number of

ways. Events kick off in two spots at 6 a.m. Early risers can start at

the pancake breakfast in Lake Park, which last until 10 a.m. or down at

the Surf City Run and Youth Sports Expo. In keeping with that hometown

feel the first event is a 5k run and walk for residents only, followed by

an open 5k, a 5k stroller run, kids run, 1 mile and a 1/2 mile runs.

Residents along the parade route, as always, will be encouraged to

decorate their homes in keeping with the theme. Trophies will be awarded

to the homes placing first, second and third.

Despite extensive discussions about moving them Independence Day,

events will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display at Huntington

Beach High School.

* DANETTE GOULET is the city editor. She can be reached at (714)

965-7170 or by e-mail at o7 danette.goulet@latimes.comf7 .