Parade-goers watch the city of Mission Viejo’s America 250 Parade make its way along Marguerite Parkway on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Parade-goers wave American flags as they watch the city of Mission Viejo’s America 250 Parade make its way along Marguerite Parkway on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Aloha Strummers ukulele group perform as they make their way along Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo during the America 250 Parade on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A First Marine Division marching band participates in the America 250 Parade in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ranger Jack puts on a music and puppet show during the BBQ Music Fest at Oso Viejo Park in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Taste of Square Dancing, which offers classes at the Norman P. Murray Community Center, puts on a square dance lesson during the BBQ Music Fest at Oso Viejo Park in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hundreds arrive at the BBQ Music Fest at Oso Viejo Park in Mission Viejo following the America 250 Parade, which ended there on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A Temecula Carriage Company horse-drawn carriage makes its way along Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo during the America 250 Parade on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A Ballet Folklórico group dances along Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo during the city’s America 250 Parade on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
AYSO Region 84 athletes and their families walk together during the America 250 Parade in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jayden Selecky, 9, of Mission Viejo feeds a group of goats in a petty zoo at the BBQ Music Fest at Oso Viejo Park in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of Boy Scouts of America Troop 2020 carry a large American flag as they participate in the America 250 Parade in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
An actress portraying Betsy Ross sews an American flag on a float in the America 250 Parade in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mission Viejo residents Liberty, Kristen and Rush, from left, ride the “Cliff Hanger” at the BBQ Music Fest in at Oso Viejo Park Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mrs. California, Tephani McCleave, a Mission Viejo resident, rides in a sports car during the America 250 Parade in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of the Mountain Fifes and Drums, from Lake Arrowhead, march in the America 250 Parade in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of Boy Scouts of America Troop 2020 carry a large American flag as they participate in the America 250 Parade in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Trabuco Hills High School pep squad members perform as they walk in the America 250 Parade in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Trabuco Hills High School pep squad members perform as they walk in the America 250 Parade in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Classic cars drive along Marguerite Parkway during the city’s America 250 Parade in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Joseph Prange, co-owner of OC Smoke Haus, sprays apple juice on an assortment of barbecuing meats during the BBQ Music Fest at Oso Viejo Park in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A First Marine Division color guard and marching band participates in the America 250 Parade in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Capistrano Valley High School cheerleaders perform as they walk in the America 250 Parade in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Stilt performers dressed as Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty walk along Marguerite Parkway in Mission Viejo during the city’s America 250 Parade on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Founding Fathers, huddled around the Declaration of Independence, ride on a float, along with the Liberty Bell, in the America 250 Parade in Mission Viejo on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Parade-goers watch the city of Mission Viejo’s America 250 Parade make its way along Marguerite Parkway on Saturday, July 11, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
ExpandMission Viejo celebrated America’s big anniversary with a special parade on Saturday, July 11.
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The parade, part of the city’s yearlong celebration of America 250, featured marching bands, classic cars, equestrian teams, local youth groups and organizations and more traveling from St. Kilian Church to Oso Viejo Community Park, where the three-day BBQ Fest is being held.
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Award-winning pitmasters have been competing in Mission Viejo this weekend for bragging rights as the winners of Best BBQ and People’s Choice Favorite. While they cook, visitors to the city’s BBQ Music Fest have been enjoying live music and dancing, carnival rides and games and more. The festival continues on Sunday.
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If you go
- When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on July 11; noon to 8 p.m. on July 12
- Where: Oso Viejo Community Park, 24932 Veterans Way
- Cost: General admission is $15
- Information: bbqmusicfest.com