Thousands lined the 1.5 mile route along Main Street on Friday for the eight annual 4th of July Parade.
The Ocean Park Association hosted the parade, now in its eighth year, that started at 9:30 am at the intersection of Pico and Main.
The parade continued south on Main, turning west on Marine Street and onto Barnard Way, concluding south of Ocean Park Boulevard.
Floats, music, horses, vintage fire trucks, and much more entertained spectators as part of the “May the 4th Be with You” theme.
The parade offered unique and creative décor and costumes this year in addition to the traditional red, white, and blue colors.
The parade theme was also reflected in this year’s Grand Marshal as OPA honors former Santa Monica Mayor Nathaniel Trives who has worked tirelessly for the Santa Monica community – and with as many titles that he’s held over the years, “Mr. Santa Monica” truly proves that imagination and vision have no bounds.
Local VIPs in the parade included State Senator Ted Lieu, Assemblyman Richard Bloom, members of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, Santa Monica Mayor Pam O’Connor, and council members Gleam Davis, Robert Holbrook, Kevin McKeown, Terry O’Day, and Tony Vazquez.
Also taking part in this year’s parade: former Santa Monica Mayors Judy Abdo, Michael Feinstein, Ruth Goldway, Paul Rosenstein and Bobby Shriver, along with City Manager Rod Gould and Deputy City Manager Elaine Polachek.
Viewers were encouraged to sit along the Main Street route and walk or ride their bikes to the route to help achieve a more environmentally friendly parade.
