{"id":386628,"date":"2026-07-05T03:16:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-05T03:16:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/386628\/"},"modified":"2026-07-05T03:16:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-05T03:16:15","slug":"huntington-beach-packed-for-the-largest-4th-of-july-bash-west-of-mississippi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/386628\/","title":{"rendered":"Huntington Beach packed for the largest 4th of July bash west of Mississippi"},"content":{"rendered":"

MAGA hats, stars-and-stripes bikinis and a sea of Old Glory took over Huntington Beach as more than 500,000 patriotic Americans packed Surf City USA for what is widely recognized as the largest Independence Day celebration<\/a> west of the Mississippi River.<\/p>\n

American flags waved from parade floats, classic cars and horseback riders as spectators lined the streets in red, white and blue<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Families cheered from folding chairs, children proudly carried flags, and beachgoers soaked up the sunshine in patriotic gear during the massive, multi-day Fourth of July celebration.<\/p>\n

Huntington Beach\u2019s 122nd Annual Fourth of July parade in Huntington Beach, California, July 4, 2026. Jonathan Alcorn for CA Post<\/p>\n

Spectators lined the streets in red, white and blue.
Jonathan Alcorn for CA Post<\/p>\n

MAGA hats, stars-and-stripes bikinis and a sea of Old Glory took over Huntington Beach. Jonathan Alcorn for CA Post<\/p>\n

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At the heart of the festivities is the 122nd Annual Fourth of July Parade, a 2.5-mile procession along Pacific Coast Highway that is widely recognized as the largest Independence Day parade west of the Mississippi River.<\/p>\n

The holiday weekend culminates with a fireworks spectacular launched off the Huntington Beach Pier, lighting up the Pacific Ocean in the grand finale.<\/p>\n

Despite the enormous crowds and the millions of dollars in indirect economic benefits generated for local businesses, the City of Huntington Beach still loses money covering the operational costs of staging the annual celebration.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s amazing. Huntington Beach, Fourth of July, there\u2019s nothing like it,\u201d Katie Jarrett told The California Post. \u201cI\u2019ve been coming here since I was a little girl and this is just my most favorite day of the whole year.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The holiday weekend culminates with a fireworks spectacular. Jonathan Alcorn for CA Post<\/p>\n

Fireworks will be launched off the Huntington Beach Pier, lighting up the Pacific Ocean in the grand finale. Jonathan Alcorn for CA Post<\/p>\n

The city loses money covering the operational costs of staging the annual celebration. Jonathan Alcorn for CA Post<\/p>\n

For Carolyn Jesse, the event is a chance to celebrate both country and community.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel blessed and privileged to live in America, and to be at the largest celebration west of the Mississippi,\u201d Carolyn Jesse told The Post. \u201cGod bless America.\u201d<\/p>\n

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