4th of July Parade and Independence Day Celebration July 4, 2008

The 103rd annual parade will march down the streets of Huntington Beach. Beginning at 10 a.m. the parade starts at Pacific Coast Highway and 6th Street, turning on Main Street to Garfield. The largest Independence Day parade west of the Mississippi River features more than 300 entries including bands, floats, film and television celebrities, local dignitaries, equestrians and community groups. The parade heads south to Main Street, proceeds up Main Street through the downtown, ending at Yorktown and Main. Parking: Pacific Coast Highway is closed between Beach Blvd. and Golden West Street between 6 a.m. and approximately 1 p.m. or until the parade route is cleared. Parade viewers can enter the downtown area off Golden West on Orange or Palm Avenues. "Staking Out" an area for viewing is allowed after 7 a.m. on July 3rd. Items must be removed by 2 p.m. on July 4th. Commemorative celebration merchandise and bleacher seat tickets are available. Time: 10 a.m to 12:30 p.m. approx. Location: Main Street from Pacific Coast Highway to Yorktown Ave. Call: (714) 374-1535.

Pier Plaza Expo - Vendors will sell a variety of foods and goods. This is held in conjunction with the 4th of July Parade weekend.

Fireworks Show - Begins after dark and is free. The beaches fill with hundreds of thousands of people seeking to watch a free, 28-minute barrage of fireworks of every hue. It's a great show...but prepare for traffic after it ends.

Official Website: http://huntingtonbeachevents.com/calendar.html#July