Huntington Beach Parade

The 2018 Huntington Beach Parade

Huntington Beach Parade

The 2018 Huntington Beach Parade takes place on Wednesday, July 4th, and is the 114th Annual Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade.  The Huntington Beach Parade begins at 10 am and lasts about two hours.  The theme for the 2018 Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade is “A Star Spangled Salute.”

The public is welcome to come and view the parade in Huntington Beach, or watch the 4th of July Parade live on television via your local KABC–TV station (Channel 7 in Los Angeles).

The 2018 Huntington Beach Parade Grand Marshall this year is Burt Ward, actor, martial artist, best known for his role as Robin the Boy Wonder from the Batman TV series.  Burt and his wife Tracy also created a non profit charity Gentle Giants Rescue and Adoptions which has rescued and placed more than 15,500 giant and small breed dogs.

The Huntington Beach Parade Community Grand Marshal is Brett Barnes, Managing Partner of Duke’s Restaurant on the Huntington Beach Pier.  Brett has been generous to the yearly 4th of July celebration since the event moved downtown in 2004, on the 100th anniversary of the parade.  Over the years, Brett and Duke’s Restaurant have been regular supporters and contributors to HB community events.

The Huntington Beach Parade Military Grand Marshal is Brigadier General Darren V. James, Vice Commander, 18th Air Force, Scott Air Force Base, in Illinois.  General James received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1990.  As Air Mobility Command’s sole war fighting numbered air force, the 18th Air Force is responsible for the command’s worldwide operational mission of providing rapid, global mobility, and sustainment for America’s armed forces through airlift, aerial refueling, aeromedical evacuation, and contingency response.  His notable staff assignments include Deputy Director, Operations and Plans Directorate, U.S. Transportation Command, U.S. Transportation Command Liaison Officer to U.S. Pacific Command, Aide-de-Camp to the 18th Air Force Commander and the Tanker Airlift Control Center Deputy Chief of the Tanker Allocation Division.

The 2018 Huntington Beach Parade Sports Grand Marshall is surfer Brett Simpson, a resident of Huntington Beach.  Brett is a two time US Open of Surfing champion ‘back to back’ in 2009 & 2010.  Brett has spent six years on the WSL Championship Tour and is rated among the top 32 surfers in the world.

The Huntington Beach Parade Reality TV Grand Marshall is Vicki Gunvalson, an actress best known for the television series The Real Housewives of Orange County in which she has appeared since 2005.

The Huntington Beach Parade Celebrity guest is Lilly Melgar, an actress on the Emmy winning web series “The Bay The Series”, and in the upcoming big screen film “NONA” directed by Michael Polish.  Lilly is also in the teen comedy film, “To The Beat!” and the mini series, “Ladies Of The Lake”.  Lilly is also a director whose projects include the opening video for “The Spice Girls Reunion Tour” and video content for major concert tours, including short videos played throughout the “Britney Spears Live: The Femme Fatale Tour” and most recently video for the “Madonna: Rebel Heart Tour”.  Currently, she is part of the directing team for video content for Ricky Martin’s “All In” Vegas Residency.  Lilly Melgar won Best Lead Actress in 2016 from the Indie Series Awards (ISA7) for her work as Janice Ramos on The Bay The Series and was nominated for an Emmy for Best Lead Actress in a digital series category 2016, 2017, and 2018. 

The Huntington Beach Parade route begins at Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and 9th 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 2018 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 cost of the bleacher seats is reasonable ($15 pre-sale or $20 at the event) 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

The 2018 Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade is actually part of a three day Huntington Beach Pier Plaza Festival with events beginning Monday morning, July 2, and ending Wednesday evening, July 4.

The Huntington Beach Pier Plaza Festival will be going on from 10 am to 9 pm each day (9:30 pm on July 4).  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 2018 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

– 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.

– Consider using the Surf City USA Shuttle with free park and ride shuttle service.