It's the Fourth of July in Huntington Beach, and an annual tradition 100+ years young occurs each year in the morning. Around 10 a.m. the floats, bands, equestrian units, and drill teams start their march toward up Main Street to Garfield for a two to three hour event that draws up to 250,000. Ever since the centennial event in 2004 when the event planners and city council voted to change the fireworks venue to the beach, the parade has grown, adding more expos and events to help fund the expensive fireworks show that costs to the tune of over $100,000.

Part of the routine is shown above. At Pier Plaza thousands gather in anticipation of sunset coming on. They listen to bands, listen to Matt Liffering, local emcee, conduct the trivia contests and hear and watch assorted stage presentations while the light dims naturally in the sky. Meanwhile the barges offshore or technicians on the Huntington Beach Pier begin preparing for the fireworks display, a 25 minute spectacle of colors and sounds.

While the beach looks relatively serene in the image above, don't be fooled! Within 20 minutes the place is packed, body-to-body with blankets, bodies and masses of folks who come to watch the free show.

Shown in the picture above is a famous band, Surfaris, best known for a song called "Wipe Out." In addition to the day's concerts and entertainment, there are several additional free concert programs at this stage. One event appears several times during the summer, and is called Surfin Sundays, sponsored by the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum. The other is the City of Huntington Beach Community Services free concert series with a variety of musical acts ranging from rockabilly to rock.

But on the 4th of July, the thing that rocks the most in Huntington Beach, California is positive vibe that requires cooperation and courtesy as masses of people flock to the beach, then exit at the same time.

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