Malibu's Pt. Dume July 4th Parade Canceled For 2019

MALIBU, CA — Point Dume's Fourth of July parade, an annual, star-spangled tradition in the Malibu community, will not be held this year due to ongoing rebuilding, construction and road closures in the area, according to organizers.

"After talking to over 100 locals, it was agreed to 'take a break' this year, and let all of us find stability and slowly move back into our neighborhood as best as we can with what we went through and (are) still going through," longtime sponsor Doug Randall of Malibu Custom Carts said this week on his company's Facebook page.

Deciding factors, described as "variables out of our control," were, in short, construction, reconstruction and debris removal still underway following November's Woolsey Fire, which destroyed hundreds of homes and burned thousands of acres, along with many locals still displaced from their homes.

"And even though 4th of July is a federal holiday, after talking to many removal and construction companies, many will be working on the 4th to accelerate the process," Randall wrote. "Not having a full road closure is a serious safety issue with our little ones on bikes, trikes and skateboards veering off onto opposing traffic."

Community donations for the event also took a hit, he added, making the costs of staging the Independence Day function financially untenable.

"This year, let's reflect on our situation, spend family time with gratitude and have our own family, friends or group BBQs at what homes have survived," Randall said.

• ALSO SEE: Malibu July 4th Guide To Fireworks, Parades & More 2019