Waves Of Freedom Patriot's Day Parade Coming To Laguna Beach

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Mark your calendars for the 2018 Laguna Beach Patriot’s Day Parade - This year's Patriots Day Parade is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 3, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The route will wind through the city, showing off patriot pride.

"For over fifty years Orange County has enjoyed the parade and its entrants, the celebrities and music, and the community spirit of this charming city by the sea," event organizers said on their website. "Entries in the popular event range from civic and veterans organizations to school bands, floats, vintage automobiles, and light-hearted novelty groups. The parade also honors citizens who have served the community and those who have served the nation in time of war or national emergency."

The time honored Laguna Beach tradition began in 1967 as the result of Emily Ross, a member of the Patience Wright Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and continues today to show the patriotic zeal of the community, according to event hosts.

In 2018, the theme is "Waves of Freedom," event organizers said on their website.

"Our community is located on the Pacific coast, so waves have always been a part of our lives. Indeed, the flag waving above the shore at Monument Point is an iconic image of Laguna Beach," they said. "Waves ebb and flow and that is why we believe that the many freedoms in our republic should be treasured and never taken for granted."

In 2018, the Patriot Day Parade honorees are:

• Glori Fickling, Grand Marshal
• George Ciampa, Honored Patriot
• Heidi Miller, Citizen of the year
• Laguna Beach Art Museum, Artist of the Year
• Laguna Beach Water Polo Foundation 10u-12u-14u Girls Junior Olympic Champs, Athlete of the Year
• Joseph (Joey) Ravenna and Marisa Schatz, 2018 Junior Citizens of the year
• Alexandra Keyser, 2018 Essay Contest Winner
• Jackson Blake Pihl, 2018 Cover Artist

Road closures near and along the parade route will begin in the downtown area at 10:00 a.m. The Farmers' Market will be closed that day and will return on Saturday, March 10.

How to get there:

Take the Trolley to the Patriots Day Parade! On Saturday, March 3, Catch the trolley or the City bus and you will be downtown in plenty of time for the Patriots Day Parade. Neighborhood Transit Service will be operating on a regular Saturday schedule starting at 9:30 a.m. and the Coastal Routes will start early at 9:00 a.m. to get you to the parade! For schedule and route information, please visit: www.lagunabeachcity.net/trolley.

For more information, visit www.lagunabeachparade.org

Patriot's Day Parade courtesy Photo