This photo was from Santa Monica’s 2024 Fourth of July parade.
This year the 19th Annual Santa Monica Fourth of July Parade promises to be bigger and better than ever. There are generally more than 15,000 spectators along the parade that starts on Pico Boulevard and Main Street and travels via Marine, to its final destination at the beach.
Parade organizer Jeffrey Jarow, a senior vice-president at PAR Commercial Brokage, welcomed Palisades residents to join the marchers this year on the 1.3 mile-parade route. The Palisades Fires in January and the ongoing recovery has made the idyllic Palisades look more like a war zone, than a place to hold its annual parade.
Every year the Santa Monica Parade has a different theme and this year it is “150th Year Anniversary of Santa Monica Citihood.” Since Palisadians are new to this parade, Jarow was asked if there’s anything special to look for this year. “Yes,” he said. “Pacific Palisades will be joining us. “
Look for these Palisadian dignitaries in the parade, Pacific Palisades Community Council president Sue Kohl and Citizen of the Year Cindi Young, driven by Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness Sharon Kilbride. Kilbride’s neighbor Amy Hopper will drive the 2024 Sparkplugs Carlos Rodrigues and Leslie Campbell. Councilmember Traci Park is set to be at the parade, too.
Local Palisades groups will include Gerry Blank’s students, who always impress with their karate kicks. The Palisades Malibu YMCA, although the site is now longer standing, the spirit of members is strong and promises to be part of the parade.
The OomPaPa Band, a Palisadian band of volunteers of all ages, which was founded in 1975, may be in the parade. In 1986, attorney Mark Eisenberg became drum major and band leader and continues to lead the band today.
Other participants are Resilient Palisades, which has won awards two years in a row during the Palisades parade for its innovative floats, and Pali High Ambassadors, a select group of Palisades High School sophomore, juniors and seniors who volunteer in community events, as well as give campus tours to interested middle schoolers. Since PaliHi is in the old Sears building in Santa Monica, it might make them “dual” residents.
Every year the Pacific Palisades Baseball Association World Series champions ride in the parade and this year, the young stars will make a debut in the Santa Monica parade.
The Palisades Streets Spectacular, organized by Pali Strong, is inviting any Palisades resident to walk with their neighbors and share the pride they have for their individual section of town.
The Palisades Parade was always sponsored by Ronald Reagan American Legion Post 283, and those members will make a debut in this parade, too. Emcee Sam Lagana will be at the reviewing stand.
Come out and cheer on both towns, the parade starts at 9:30 a.m. – and thank Santa Monica residents for welcoming Palisades to the celebration. To watch last year’s parade, click here.
Photo taken last year during Santa Monica’s parade.
The Pacific Palisades Community United Methodist Church is also joining the parade this year to show all we are “Rising in Love”!
Palisades Forestry Committee will also be in the parade, with Sycamore and Oak trees.