In just about every corner of Orange County, communities gathered Thursday, July 4, to celebrate American independence.
There were community runs, neighborhood barbecues, carnivals and, at night, the sky was bright with fireworks celebrating the Fourth of July.
San Clemente tried something new this year with a Stars, Stripes ‘N Slides event that kept families cool and entertained.
In Anaheim Hills, a community favorite cheered the crowd as pups in their best patriotic getups strutted in the Yankee Doodle Dog Show, before the annual community parade and festival offered entertainment for the rest of the day.
And what’s said to be the oldest Fourth of July parade west of the Mississippi marched down Main Street in Huntington Beach before a cheering crowd.
ANAHEIM HILLS
Princess a Yorkie was wheeled about in a decorated stroller. The city of Anaheim held the Yankee Doodle Dog Show at Canyon High School on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Tucker, right, and Yoda, left, walk the catwalk at the end of the contest. The city of Anaheim held the Yankee Doodle Dog Show at Canyon High School on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Christine Hunt walks by a large sign that she helped make at the Fourth of July festivities at Canyon High School. The city of Anaheim held the Yankee Doodle Dog Show at Canyon High School on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Tucker the dog is all dressed up for the dog show. The city of Anaheim held the Yankee Doodle Dog Show at Canyon High School on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Princess Xena was all dressed up for the dog show. The city of Anaheim held the Yankee Doodle Dog Show at Canyon High School on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Tucker sported a patriotic look for the dog show. The city of Anaheim held the Yankee Doodle Dog Show at Canyon High School on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Princess Zena has her photo taken before the show. The city of Anaheim held the Yankee Doodle Dog Show at Canyon High School on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Princess peaks over the edge of her stroller after the festivities at the dog contest in Anaheim Hills. The city of Anaheim held the Yankee Doodle Dog Show at Canyon High School on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Princess Xena awaits the outcome of the large dog contest. The city of Anaheim held the Yankee Doodle Dog Show at Canyon High School on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Yoda is petted by Ella Seibert, 8, as Tucker looks in the background during a group photo. The city of Anaheim held the Yankee Doodle Dog Show at Canyon High School on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Kobe the dog gets a helping hand over the hurdles in the obstacle course by owner Jeanelle Tan of Placentia. The city of Anaheim held the Yankee Doodle Dog Show at Canyon High School on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Two pugs, Vader, left, and Peggy, right, check each other out before the show. The city of Anaheim held the Yankee Doodle Dog Show at Canyon High School on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Gage the dog makes use of a large inflatable fire hydrant at the dog show festivities at Canyon High School. The city of Anaheim held the Yankee Doodle Dog Show at Canyon High School on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Two pugs, Vader, left, and Peggy, right, check each other out before the show. The city of Anaheim held the Yankee Doodle Dog Show at Canyon High School on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Gwynlee Wrathall, 18 months, of Yorba Linda reaches out to pet a dog at the show. The city of Anaheim held the Yankee Doodle Dog Show at Canyon High School on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
Kobe performs a trick during the Yankee Doodle Dog Show with his owner Cruz. The city of Anaheim held the Yankee Doodle Dog Show at Canyon High School on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Michael Kitada, Contributing Photographer)
HUNTINGTON BEACH
Members of the Huntington Beach Sister City Association drive north on Main St. during Huntington Beach’s 120th Annual Independence Day Parade on, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Huntington Beach’s 120th Annual Independence Day Parade travels north on Main St. on, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Parade-goers wearing American Flag overalls ride north on Main St. during Huntington Beach’s 120th Annual Independence Day celebration on, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
The Mini Jet Air Force parades down Main St. during Huntington Beach’s 120th Annual Independence Day celebration on, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Mayor, Gracey Van Der Mark waves to onlookers during Huntington Beach’s 120th Annual Independence Day celebration on, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce celebrate during Huntington Beach’s 120th Annual Independence Day Parade on, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Fans of Dallas Raines wave to him as he parades down Main St. during Huntington Beach’s 120th Annual Independence Day celebration on, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the Norco Mounted Posse ride north on Main St. during Huntington Beach’s 120th Annual Independence Day Parade on, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Dancers on the ExperTec Automotive truck entertain onlookers during Huntington Beach’s 120th Annual Independence Day Parade on, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
The Mini Jet Air Force parades down Main St. during Huntington Beach’s 120th Annual Independence Day celebration on, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
A Chihuahua named Chino attends Huntington Beach’s 120th Annual Independence Day celebration on, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Meteorologist Dallas Raines gestures to onlookers during Huntington Beach’s 120th Annual Independence Day Parade on, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Huntington Beach’s 120th Annual Independence Day Parade travels north on Main St. on, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Huntington Beach Elks Lodge #1959 parades down Main St. during Huntington Beach’s 120th Annual Independence Day celebration on, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Huntington Beach’s 120th Annual Independence Day Parade travels north on Main St. on, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Teen Grand Marshal FiFi Garcia, left, waves to attendees of Huntington Beach’s 120th Annual Independence Day Parade on, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
The Norco Mounted Posse Rodeo Queens ride north on Main St. during Huntington Beach’s 120th Annual Independence Day Parade on, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
Miss Huntington Beach, Ruby Brown-Bilyeu waves to onlookers during Huntington Beach’s 120th Annual Independence Day Parade on, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)
SAN CLEMENTE
Jaxon Fitzgibbon, 14, of Mission Viejo goes head-first down a 300-foot slip-and-slide that spans a whole block on Avenida Victoria in San Clemente during a city-sponsored 4th of July celebration on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Mel Ridge-Clark, 10, of Fullerton plays laser tag with friends during a city-sponsored Independence Day celebration in Downtown San Clemente on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Frenchie Monceaux of San Clemente creates giant bubbles for passersby during a city-sponsored Independence Day Celebration in Downtown San Clemente on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Skylar Ferrara, 2, of San Clemente dances near a stage during a city-sponsored Independence Day celebration in Downtown San Clemente on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
San Clemente residents engage in a water balloon battle as they throw balloons from stairways and balconies at people on the street, who return fire, during the annual Independence Day festivities on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Kids create 4th of July-themed crafts at a booth on Avenida Rosa in Downtown San Clemente during a city-sponsored Independence Day celebration on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Hundreds fill the streets at Avenida Victoria and Avenida Rosa in Downtown San Clemente during the city’s new Independence Day celebration, featuring a 300-foot-long slip-and-slide, live music, games, crafts, food and drinks, and more, on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Hillbilly Crutch performs country and bluegrass music from a stage on Avenida Victoria in Downtown San Clemente during a new city-sponsored 4th of July celebration on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
A group of friends from San Clemente and Camp Pendleton sport their American flag garb as they celebrate together during a city-sponsored Independence Day event in Downtown San Clemente on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Hundreds fill the streets at Avenida Victoria and Avenida Rosa in Downtown San Clemente during the city’s new Independence Day celebration, featuring a 300-foot-long slip-and-slide, live music, games, crafts, food and drinks, and more, on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Bethany Whitehead of San Clemente slides down a 300-foot slip-and-slide that spans a whole block on Avenida Victoria in San Clemente during a city-sponsored 4th of July celebration on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
A group of friends and San Clemente residents line dance in front of a stage to the country and bluegrass music of Hillbilly Crutch during a city-sponsored Independence Day celebration in Downtown San Clemente on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Kate Ferrara of San Clemente dances with her daughter, Skylar Ferrara, 2, in front of a stage during a city-sponsored Independence Day celebration in Downtown San Clemente on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Hillbilly Crutch performs country and bluegrass music from a stage on Avenida Victoria in Downtown San Clemente during a new city-sponsored 4th of July celebration on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
San Clemente residents engage in a water balloon battle as they use a giant slingshot to launch balloons across an intersection during the city’s annual Independence Day festivities on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Troy Kelly, 9, of San Clemente goes head-first down a 300-foot slip-and-slide that spans a whole block on Avenida Victoria in San Clemente during a city-sponsored 4th of July celebration on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
San Clemente residents Ashley Goldring, left, and Katana Wilson wear American flag face paint as they hang out in Downtown San Clemente during the city’s new Independence Day celebration on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Zachary Bauer, right, 10, of San Clemente plays laser tag with friends during a city-sponsored Independence Day celebration in Downtown San Clemente on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
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