Each year Huntington Beach holds one of the largest fourth of July parades west of the Mississippi. The event, first commemorated on July 4th, 1904 was set up to celebrate the arrival of the first electric passenger train that link Huntington Beach to Long Beach and Los Angeles.
Since then, the parade has grown tremendously every year and has hosted local heroes, movie stars and a most spontaneous visit by Franklin D Roosevelt.
In 2004, the parade marked its centennial with a 23 minute firework show. The event drew over 150,000 visitors. The Fourth of July Huntington Beach Parade draws thousands of visitors every year and is an unforgettable experience for both Huntington Beach residents and visitors.