The Fourth of July celebrations in Orange County on Saturday were extra special as communities celebrated the 250th anniversary of American Independence.
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As has become a tradition, festivities for the Fourth started on the third in Costa Mesa with a community celebration at the OC Fair & Event Center. An American 250 choir joined the night’s entertainment lineup — participating community members had been practicing for the last month. Fireworks capped the night.
Fireworks explode over the OC Fair Event Center in Costa Mesa during the annual city-sponsored Independence Day Community Celebration on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The America 250 Choir performs “America the Beautiful” during the annual Independence Day Community Celebration at the OC Fair Event Center in Costa Mesa on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kids dance on parents’ shoulders to the 80’s rock covers of Flashback Heart Attack during the annual Independence Day Community Celebration at the OC Fair Event Center in Costa Mesa on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fireworks explode over the OC Fair Event Center in Costa Mesa during the annual city-sponsored Independence Day Community Celebration on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Stilt performers Joy Halverson, left, and Jamie Halverson, dressed as Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam, entertain guests of the annual Independence Day Community Celebration at the OC Fair Event Center in Costa Mesa on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hayden Gamblin, 4, of Costa Mesa holds out an American flag and sports American flag sunglasses as he walks with his grandma during the Independence Day Community Celebration at the OC Fair Event Center in Costa Mesa on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fireworks explode over the OC Fair Event Center in Costa Mesa during the annual city-sponsored Independence Day Community Celebration on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The America 250 Choir performs “America the Beautiful” during the annual Independence Day Community Celebration at the OC Fair Event Center in Costa Mesa on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mona Greenspan of Oceanside dances with a pair of American flags during a set by 80’s cover band Flashback Heart Attack during the Independence Day Community Celebration at the OC Fair Event Center, which she attends every year, in Costa Mesa on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Flashback Heart Attack performs 80’s rock covers during the annual city-sponsored Independence Day Community Celebration at the OC Fair Event Center in Costa Mesa on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kellan O’Rear, 3, of Costa Mesa slides down an inflatable slide while sporting a USA t-shirt during the annual city-sponsored Independence Day Community Celebration at the OC Fair Event Center in Costa Mesa on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Flashback Heart Attack performs 80’s rock covers during the annual city-sponsored Independence Day Community Celebration at the OC Fair Event Center in Costa Mesa on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Audience members sing along to the national anthem during the annual city-sponsored Independence Day Community Celebration at the OC Fair Event Center in Costa Mesa on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Maddie Parr, center, of Irvine, an 80’s music enthusiast, dances in front of the stage, along with dozens of others, to the music of Flashback Heart Attack during the annual Independence Day Community Celebration at the OC Fair Event Center in Costa Mesa on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fireworks explode over the OC Fair Event Center in Costa Mesa during the annual city-sponsored Independence Day Community Celebration on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Flashback Heart Attack performs 80’s rock covers during the annual city-sponsored Independence Day Community Celebration at the OC Fair Event Center in Costa Mesa on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Audience members sing along to the national anthem during the annual city-sponsored Independence Day Community Celebration at the OC Fair Event Center in Costa Mesa on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Friends Laura Luca, left, of Costa Mesa and Andrea Barnett of Irvine pose together in a photo booth at the annual Independence Day Community Celebration at the OC Fair Event Center in Costa Mesa on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sophia Carver, 6, of Mission Viejo gives a high five to stilt performs dressed as Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty during the annual Independence Day Community Celebration at the OC Fair Event Center in Costa Mesa on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hayden Gamblin, 4, of Costa Mesa holds out an American flag so that it flaps in the wind as he walks along with his grandma, Madeline Yanov of Corona, during the Independence Day Community Celebration at the OC Fair Event Center in Costa Mesa on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fireworks explode over the OC Fair Event Center in Costa Mesa during the annual city-sponsored Independence Day Community Celebration on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
ExpandTalking about tradition, for the 122nd year, the annual Main Street Parade in Huntington Beach drew cheering crowds to line the streets. The Surf City 5K started the day and throughout the afternoon, there was a festival at the pier. The festival continues Sunday, July 5, with carnival rides, shopping, entertainment and more from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Secky Muya, a performer with Ringling Bros. And Barnum and Bailey Circus Hype Crew, does a flip while performing in the annual Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of a Vaquero equestrian group participate in the annual Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A lineup of cars used in the Fast and the Furious film franchise make their way along Main Street in Huntington Beach during the city’s annual 4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A gymnast from Scats Gymnastics performs on a bar on the back of a truck while participating in the annual Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Thousands walk and ride bikes along the parade route on Main Street before the start of the 122nd Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Planes fly in formation over the 122nd Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade in Huntington Beach on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Keith Jones, representing the El Bekal Shrine in Anaheim, waves an American flag as he rides in a vintage truck during the annual Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Shriners volunteers drive giant tricycles along Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach during the city’s annual 4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Cowabunga Van Clan members drive vintage Volkswagen vans along Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach as they participate in the city’s 122nd annual 4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of the Llama Association of Southern California walk along Main Street in Huntington Beach as they participate in the city’s 122nd annual 4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Shriners volunteers drive miniature cars along Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach during the city’s annual 4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Boy Scout Troop 271 leads the way along Main Street as they carry the official banner for the 122nd Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade in Huntington Beach on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Pai family, owners and operators of Huntington Surf and Sport, wave to the crowd from the back of a pick-up truck while participating in the annual Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of the Host Band, from Huntington Beach’s Union High School District, perform as they march along Main Street during the annual 4th of July Parade in Huntington Beach on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
California State Assemblyman Tri Ta waves an American flag as he rides in a convertible along Main Street in Huntington Beach during the city’s 122nd 4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sergio Prado of Temecula pushes his dogs, Homer and Dexter, in a wagon disguised as a miniature Volkswagen van before the start of the annual Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade in Huntington Beach on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A unicycle performer from Ringling Bros. And Barnum and Bailey Circus Hype Crew gives high fives to the crowd while participating in the annual Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kids wave to parade participants during the annual Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade on Main Street in Huntington Beach on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members from Huntington Beach’s Boy Scouts of America Troop 1 carry a giant American flag along Main Street as they participate in the 122nd Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade in Huntington Beach on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of a Vaquero equestrian group participate in the annual Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Local residents hold up scores for passing parade participants as they watch the 122nd annual Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade as it passes through their neighborhood on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution walk along the parade route in period clothing during the annual 4th of July Parade in Huntington Beach on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Miriam Apadir, 2, of Westminster holds an American flag as she watches parade participants go by during the 122nd annual Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Thousands line the street and sidewalks on Main Street in Downton Huntington Beach during the city’s 122nd annual 4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 1024, ride along Main Street in Huntington Beach with a UH-1 “Huey” helicopter on the back of a truck as they participate in the 122nd annual Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Planes fly in formation over the 122nd Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade in Huntington Beach on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jo O’Brian, a member of the Llama Association of Southern California, walks with her llama, Cash, as they participate in the 122nd annual Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Secky Muya, a performer with Ringling Bros. And Barnum and Bailey Circus Hype Crew, does a flip while performing in the annual Huntington Beach 4th of July Parade on Saturday, July 4, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
ExpandThe always popular Brea Country Fair started the Independence Day celebrations off early Saturday morning at City Hall Park and featured its own parade of kids decked out in red, white and blue and riding equally patriotic festooned wagons, bikes and more. There were also patriotic pooch and baby contests, swimming at the Brea Plunge, entertainment and more.
Sol Tovar,3, shakes hands with Captain America and Wonder Woman as Fourth of July revelers gathered at City Hall Park in Brea on July 4, 2026 in Brea CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
Participants in the kiddie parade pose for a photo as Fourth of July revelers gathered at City Hall Park in Brea on July 4, 2026 in Brea CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
Gloria Watt and her Pomeranian, Chiquita participate in most patriotic dog contest as Fourth of July revelers gathered at City Hall Park in Brea on July 4, 2026 in Brea CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
An English Bull dog participates in a patriotic parade as Fourth of July revelers gathered at City Hall Park in Brea on July 4, 2026 in Brea CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
Savannah Aronsen works on a project while Yvette Barajas helps her daughter Emma Barajas on a Home Depot project. Fourth of July revelers gathered at City Hall Park in Brea on July 4, 2026 in Brea CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
Charm Gough and her dog Gracie participate in the most patriotic dog contest as Fourth of July revelers gathered at City Hall Park in Brea on July 4, 2026 in Brea CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
Stacy Grey helps her grand daughter Adalynn Grey, 3, as she rides in the kids parade. Fourth of July revelers gathered at City Hall Park in Brea on July 4, 2026 in Brea CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
Hailey Villa gets a kiss from her dog Modelo, as Fourth of July revelers gathered at City Hall Park in Brea on July 4, 2026 in Brea CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
A 1915 Saxon is festooned with flags. Fourth of July revelers gathered at City Hall Park in Brea on July 4, 2026 in Brea CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
Golden Doodles participate in most patriotic dog contest as Fourth of July revelers gathered at City Hall Park in Brea on July 4, 2026 in Brea CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
Fourth of July revelers gathered at City Hall Park in Brea on July 4, 2026 in Brea CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
Roger Whalen ,left, and Steve Crawford look at a Saxon 1915 Model B Roadster as Fourth of July revelers gathered at City Hall Park in Brea on July 4, 2026 in Brea CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
Sol Tovar,3, shakes hands with Captain America and Wonder Woman as Fourth of July revelers gathered at City Hall Park in Brea on July 4, 2026 in Brea CA. (Photo by John McCoy, Contributing Photographer)
ExpandNot to be outdone, residents of Laguna Woods Village decorated their golf carts with American flags and bunting, parading around the older adult community on Saturday.
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Waving a flag from a golf cart as they ride down Calle Aragon road during the 2026 Fourth of July golf cart parade in Laguna Woods. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Decorated golf carts ride down Calle Aragon road during the 2026 Fourth of July golf cart parade in Laguna Woods. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Decorated golf carts ride down Calle Aragon road during the 2026 Fourth of July golf cart parade in Laguna Woods. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Decorated golf carts ride down Calle Aragon road during the 2026 Fourth of July golf cart parade in Laguna Woods. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
A crowd of people gather at Clubhouse 2 in Laguna Beach after the conclusion of the golf cart parade for the 2026 Fourth of July celebration. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Decorated golf carts park along Clubhouse 2 as they gather at the end of their parade for the 2026 Fourth of July celebration in Laguna Woods. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Decorated golf carts ride down Calle Aragon road during the 2026 Fourth of July golf cart parade in Laguna Woods. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Don McKay, left, and his wife, Laura McKay, ride their golf cart down Calle Aragon road during the 2026 Fourth of July golf cart parade in Laguna Woods. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
A golf cart from the Laguna Woods Electric Car Club rides down Calle Aragon road during the 2026 Fourth of July golf cart parade in Laguna Woods. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Decorated golf carts ride down Calle Aragon road during the 2026 Fourth of July golf cart parade in Laguna Woods. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Amy Givan, left, rides with her mother, Priscilla Givan, down Calle Aragon road during the 2026 Fourth of July golf cart parade in Laguna Woods. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Karen Sinderman holds Terri, her 2-year-old Lucas Terrier as she and Ed Sinderman, behind her, wait for the start of the 2026 Fourth of July golf cart parade in Laguna Woods. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Esther Borgess, left, and Shane Borgess with their dog, Soda Pop, a 2-year-old Labradoodle, wait in line for the start of the 2026 Fourth of July golf cart parade in Laguna Woods. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Pam Dodd-Millett is all dressed up, with her friend Carol Croskery behind her, as they get ready for the 2026 Fourth of July golf cart parade in Laguna Woods. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Priscilla Givan, left, stands with her daughter, Amy Givan, as they get ready for the 2026 Fourth of July golf cart parade in Laguna Woods. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Charllett Hewitt, 7, left, Connor Hewitt, 9, and Prudence, Rollins, 5, get ready to ride the back of a golf cart for the 2026 Fourth of July golf cart parade in Laguna Woods. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
Waving a flag from a golf cart as they ride down Calle Aragon road during the 2026 Fourth of July golf cart parade in Laguna Woods. (Photo by Steven Georges, Contributing Photographer)
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