By Daniel Larios
Staff Writer

June 24, 2014 -- The City of Santa Monica will celebrate Independence Day with an old-fashioned community parade on July 4 and with a fireworks display a week early.

Santa Monica College will be hosting “Celebrate America,” the annual Independence Day celebration complete with fireworks on Saturday, June 28 at Corsair Field.
                                                                       
The only one of its kind in the beachside city, the celebration will feature a fireworks show by Rialto-based Pyro Spectaculars and music by Cliff Wagner & The Old #7 Band, which will play a mix of bluegrass, blues, and honkytonk music. Eddie Jauregui will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

The festivities will also feature community service booths, food trucks – including new partners Border Grill Truck and Fatburger – and food booths operated by, among others, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, the Boy Scouts, Boys and Girls Club and the Santa Monica High School Football Team, according to officials.

Picnicking is welcome, but alcoholic beverages, glass containers, barbecues, fireworks and chairs with pointed legs are prohibited, officials say.

Gates open at 5 p.m., with entertainment at 7 p.m. and the fireworks at 9 p.m. The event is free and parking is just $5.

For more information on the celebration, visit www.smc.edu/CelebrateAmerica or call (310) 434-3001.

On the Fourth of July, the Ocean Park Association will hold its Eight Annual Fourth of July Parade at 9 a.m. down Main Street.

Themed “May the 4th be with You,” the parade organizers are calling on local resident, service and family groups, along with businesses, to become participants as entries in the parade and/or spectators lining the Main Street route.

“Bring all the sci-fi and fantasy fun you can muster, from galaxies near and far, as we celebrate what it means to have independence as a force of good – a trait unique to our country and city,” said Jeff Jarow, OPA Board Member and Parade Chair.

“With the imaginative participation of our diverse groups, this is going to be a fun one.”

This year’s Grand Marshal will be former City of Santa Monica Mayor Nathaniel Trives, who has held numerous civic posts in the beachside city, earning him the nickname “Mr. Santa Monica.”

The 1.5-mile route will start at Pico Boulevard and Main Street and head south on Main, turning west on Marine Street and onto Barnard Way, concluding south of Ocean Park Boulevard.

Viewers along the Main Street route are encouraged to walk or ride their bikes to the parade.

Participant forms and information are available at http://www.opa-sm.org/parade and entries must be submitted no later than June 25 along with a $20 processing fee.

Groups may walk, ride bikes, scooters and other forms of unique transportation,or may ride in a classic car or float,  preferably a low emission, hybrid or electric vehicle. Live or recorded music and animals are allowed, pending permission from OPA.

In addition to participants, parade organizers welcome volunteers to help with the event. Those interested should email parade@opa-sm.org.