2014 Huntington Beach Parade

The 2014 Huntington Beach Parade

Huntington Beach Parade

Huntington Beach Parade

The 2014 Huntington Beach Parade takes place on Friday, July 4th, and is the 110th Annual Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade.  The Huntington Beach Parade begins at 10 am and lasts about two hours.  The theme for the 2014 Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade is “Waves of Freedom.”

The Huntington Beach Parade Grand Marshall this year is Tony Gonzalez.  Tony is a Huntington Beach High School graduate who recently retired from the NFL after a 17 year career.  He is the NFL’s all-time leader in touchdowns and yards by a tight end.

The Huntington Beach Parade Teen Grand Marshal is Leo Howard, a black belt martial artist who stars as Jack in the Disney XD comedy series “Kickin’ It.”  Leo is also the host of Disney Channel’s “Leo Little’s Big Show.”

The Huntington Beach Parade Sports Grand Marshal is local surfer Rick “Rockin Fig” Fignetti.  As a competitive surfer, Rick has made over 400 finals, winning 16 West Coast Titles and 3 National Titles.  Many also know him from his 30 years announcing the surf report on KROQ radio and the 22 years announcing for the US Open of Surfing.  Rick has been inducted into both the Surfing Hall of Fame and the Surfing Walk of Fame.

The Huntington Beach Parade Sports Guest is Scott Erickson, an All-Star World Series pitcher with a successfull 17 year career in Major League Baseball playing for the Twins, Orioles, Jets, Rangers, Dodgers and Yankees.

Huntington Beach Parade Celebrity guests include Lisa Guerrero (chief investigative correspondent for news magazine Inside Edition), Tim Conway Jr. (comedian and radio talk show host on KFI AM 640), and Gary Bryan (radio show host on KEARTH FM 101).

The Huntington Beach Parade Community Grand Marshal is Steve Bone.  For almost thirty years, Steve has been instrumental in shaping and contributing to the Huntington Beach community.  Steve helped develop the Huntington Beach Hilton and Hyatt hotels, and has been a leader in many local organizations including the Huntington Beach Marking and Visitors Bureau, the local Chamber of Commerce, the Bolsa Chica Conservancy, and the Huntington Beach Hospital, among others.  Steve is currently the Chairman of Orange County Coastkeeper.

The Huntington Beach Parade has two Military Grand Marshals – U.S. Air Force Colonel Robert Gibson (retired) and U.S. Air Force Colonel Terrence Gibson.

The Huntington Beach Parade Military Guest is Captain Jennifer F. Williams, Sector Commander and Captain of the Port for U.S. Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles – Long Beach.

The parade route begins at Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and 8th Street.  The parade will travel south on PCH, turn left on Main Street and continue up Main Street ending past Yorktown.

There is no cost to attend the Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade but prime viewing spots will be filled early.  Some of the more popular spots include the stretch of PCH between 8th Street and Main Street, the commercial area on Main Street near PCH, the area around Lake Park on Main Street, and the area next to the Huntington Beach Civic Center and HB High School.

Lake Park has bleacher seats available to the public and these seats are highly recommended to assure good viewing of the Huntington Beach Parade.  The $15 pre-sale cost of the bleacher seats is reasonable and the proceeds benefit local charity.

The other advantage of Lake Park is that this is the location of the Huntington Beach Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast beginning at 7 am.

See our FAQ about the Huntington Beach Parade for details about times, locations, parking, street closures, VIP tickets, and more.

Huntington Beach Parade - Huntington Beach YMCA Adventure Guides

Huntington Beach Parade – Huntington Beach YMCA Adventure Guides

The Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade is actually part of a three day Huntington Beach Pier Plaza Festival with events beginning Friday morning, July 4, and ending Sunday evening, July 6.

The Huntington Beach Pier Plaza Festival will be going on from 10 am to 9:30 pm Friday, 10 am to 9 pm Saturday, and 10 am to 6 pm Sunday.  There will be live entertainment, vendors, exhibits, food, and family activities.  This will all take place around the Huntington Beach Pier.

Other activities the day of July 4 include:

– the Huntington Beach Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast at Lake Park beginning at 7 am;

– the Huntington Beach Surf City 5K Run and Fitness Expo from 6 am to 10 am at Worthy Park located at Main Street and 17th Street; and

– the Huntington Beach Fireworks Show at 9 pm on the Huntington Beach Pier.

Tips for Attending the 2014 Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade:

– Arrive very early.  The crowds will be large, parking will be difficult, and you will need time to walk to the parade route and find a spot for viewing.

– Bring quarters in case you need to feed a parking meter, and cash for parking lots.

Huntington Beach Parade - El Bekal Shrine Temple Clowns

Huntington Beach Parade – El Bekal Shrine Temple Clowns

– Call the Huntington Beach Community Services Department at 714-536-5486 to pre-purchase bleacher seating at Lake Park.  You will save $5 per seat and avoid the risk that bleacher seats sell out by the time you get there.

– Bring sunscreen and water.

– Review the street closures and parking maps in our FAQ about the Huntington Beach Parade.  The street closures will make driving very aggravating if you have not planned your route.

– Be respectful of fellow visitors and homeowners along the parade route.  Huntington Beach is a family community and there will be a heavy police presence to assure public safety.