This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Independence Day Celebrations From a Local's Point of View

A parade, the beach, warm temperatures. There is no better place to enjoy the 4th of July festivities then right here in Santa Monica.

I stayed in town this 4th of July and my hat goes off to this wonderful city by the sea. Even though I know hundreds of thousands of from all over the world on this day, it felt to me like the exciting and friendly hometown I love. Looking at the crowds of people, I told my 4-year-old daughter how lucky we are to live here, a city where people pack into their cars and endure the clogged freeways in order to enjoy what we have in our backyard.

I began the day by driving down to the Annual Fourth of July Parade on Main Street, presented by volunteers of the Ocean Park Association. Parking was cheap and easy- $3 at the Civic Center. This quaint little community-oriented parade now in its 5th year is almost the kind you would see in a Norman Rockwell painting with horses and the local high school band.   It just has that Santa Monica flare – a 1940s “ Woody” surfer car, a man dressed up in a gown as part of the Fancy Dress Society and plenty of dogs in their glam-suits.  Our mayor did not ride in a fancy convertible as other mayors did on this Independence Day, instead Mayor Richard Bloom sported a Segway Personal Transporter.

After the parade, we walked down the to the beach for a bit and then ate lunch at the beautiful new food court at Santa Monica Place.  We saw an enjoyable string band, the Valley Villagers led by Don and Paula Barbier.  On this day of our nation’s 235th birthday, it was nice to hear some good old tunes such as Woodie Guthrie’s “This Land is My Land” and Crosby, Stills Nash & Young’s “Teach Your Children Well”.

Find out what's happening in Santa Monicawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Looks like we are off to a great summer! 

 

Find out what's happening in Santa Monicawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?