Huntington Beach celebrates Fourth of July with annual parade

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- One of the nation's largest Independence Day celebrations happened Thursday, the 4th of July Parade in Huntington Beach.

Now in its 120th year, it's the country's largest Independence Day celebration west of the Mississippi.

More than 100 groups were featured. Marching bands, colorful floats and military tributes made their way down Main Street in downtown as thousands of attendees watched and waved as they passed by.

The family-fun event paid tribute to the country, brought the community together and created traffic for business owners.

Huntington Beach Police Chief Eric Parra said about half a million people were in attendance - and just about everyone was there to have a good time.

ABC7 broadcasted the parade live from 10 a.m. to noon.