For some, it’s the bright fireworks in the dark sky after nightfall that mark the holiday. But, for the early revelers, it’s the morning and afternoon festivities that got their Fourth of July celebration underway.
Throughout Orange County, Independence Day parades and community gatherings are showcasing countless American flags waving, plenty of red, white and blue decore splashed throughout, and patriotic remembrances to mark the Fourth of July holiday.
Members of the American Legion Post 133 wave to the crowd on Main Street during the 121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of the Huntington Beach Elks Lodge 1959 wave to the crowd on Main Street during the 121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Thousands of people fill Main Street and the Huntington Beach Pier in Huntington Beach following the 121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mery Martinez and Luna watch the crowd on Main Street just prior to the start of the 121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Luna watches the crowd on Main Street just prior to the start of the 121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of the Huntington Beach Sister City Association make their way along Main Street during the 121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A patriotically dressed cyclist rides along Main Street just prior to the start of the121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A patriotically dressed young man waves to the passing parade along Main Street during the121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
WWII veteran Bob St. Paul rides along on Main Street during the 121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The 2025 Huntington Beach Princess wave to the crowd on Main Street during the 121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dallas Raines, meteorologist at KABC-TV in Los Angeles, waves to the crowd on Main Street during the 121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Huntington Beach Mayor Pat Burns greets the crowd on Main Street during the 121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members El Bekal Shrine in Anaheim rides along on Main Street during the 121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An inflatable Uncle Sam and and eagle wave to the crowd on Main Street during the 121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cyclists ride along Main Street just prior to the start of the 121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Vintage VW buses make their way along Main Street during the 121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Patriotically dressed cyclists ride along Main Street just prior to the start of the121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jacqueline Lorenzana and Buddy watch the crowd on Main Street just prior to the start of the 121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A group takes a selfie on Main Street just prior to the start of the 121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Colorful cars make their way along Main Street during the 121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jenny Zoleta holds patriotically dressed Penny as they watch the crowd on Main Street just prior to the start of the 121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Scouts carry a large American flag along Main Street during the 121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Members of the American Legion Post 133 wave to the crowd on Main Street during the 121st annual Fourth of July parade on Friday, July 4, 2025, in Huntington Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
In Huntington Beach, some parade-goers staked out their prime spots before dawn today to watch the famed march down Main Street, this year celebrating 121 years. The event is dubbed the biggest Fourth of July parade west of the Mississippi River.
Classic cars cruised down the drag, Huntington Beach High students marched, and patriotic floats made their way along the 2.5-mile route.
This year’s 2025 Community Grand Marshal was Mike Ali, a Vietnam veteran and owner of Zack’s by the Beach. The teen Grand Marshal is Bailey Turner, a 16-year-old rising surf star who has earned several prestigious titles, including U18 National USA Champion, Women’s NSSA National Champion, U16 Regional Champion, and Ripcurl Gromsearch Champion.
Kiddie Parade participants gather with super heroes during Brea’s 45th Annual Country Fair on the 4th of July at City Hall Park, Friday, July 4, 2025.
(Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Patriotic Pooch Parade participants gather for a group photo during Brea’s 45th Annual Country Fair Friday, July 4, 2025 at City Hall Park in Brea.
(Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Sergio Ferrino, one of the judges of he Brea Museum Car Show, checks out a 1967 Plymouth Barracuda, Friday, July 4, 2025, during Brea’s 45th Annual Country Fair at City Hall Park.
(Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
A collection of awards to be given out made of car parts for the Brea Museum Car Show, Friday, July 4, 2025, part of Brea’s 45th Annual Country Fair at City Hall Park.
(Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Quinton Lyons, 2, gets some hight on his swing at City Hall Park during Brea’s 45th Annual Country Fair on the 4th of July, 2025.
(Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Walnut Ave. and Date St. showing the Brea Museum Car Show and Brea’s 45th Annual Country Fair at City Hall Park, Friday, July 4, 2025.
(Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Tess Steele of Fullerton takes her 4-yer-old son Beau Steel for a walk through the vintage cars on display at the Brea Museum Car Show, Friday, July 4, 2025, part of Brea’s 45th Annual Country Fair at City Hall Park.
(Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Rory Parks shows off his dog, Bone, a Cane Corso, during Brea’s 45th Annual Country Fair Friday, July 4, 2025 at City Hall Park in Brea.
(Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
People walk down Walnut Ave. during the Brea Museum Car Show, part of Brea’s 45th Annual Country Fair at City Hall Park, Friday, July 4, 2025.
(Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Wendy Villicano dances with her Cockapoodle, Savanna, during the Patriotic Pooch Parade, part of Brea’s 45th Annual Country Fair Friday, July 4, 2025 at City Hall Park in Brea.
(Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Sophie (a Sheltie) walks with her glasses during the Patriotic Pooch Parade, part of Brea’s 45th Annual Country Fair Friday, July 4, 2025 at City Hall Park in Brea.
(Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Two-year-old Enzo Han of Brea checks out a Tesla Cybertruck with a mirror finish, at the Brea Museum Car Show, Friday, July 4, 2025, part of Brea’s 45th Annual Country Fair at City Hall Park.
(Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Boston, a Yorkshire Terrier, rides his tricycle with his owner, India Jones, during the Patriotic Pooch Parade, during Brea’s 45th Annual Country Fair Friday, July 4, 2025 at City Hall Park in Brea.
(Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Nine-month-old Jack Surdam checks out his Most Patriotic Baby trophy, first place, 7 to 12 months, as he is held by his mother, Alex and father, Joe, during Brea’s 45th Annual Country Fair Friday, July 4, 2025 at City Hall Park in Brea.
(Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
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Kiddie Parade participants gather with super heroes during Brea’s 45th Annual Country Fair on the 4th of July at City Hall Park, Friday, July 4, 2025.
(Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Further inland, Brea’s annual Country Fair drew crowds for a day full of patriotic festivities.
Today featured everything from a pancake breakfast, live entertainment, kiddie parade, dog parade, classic car show, food, games, exhibits, and handmade gifts. The most patriotic baby was declared and other contests hosted.
The celebration that filled City Hall Park marked the 45th year Brea has held its famed county fair.
