Amid cancellations, site shifts and drone switches, many still enjoy traditional July 4 celebrations ...Middle East

In many ways, it was a traditional Southern California Independence Day.  Fireworks framed the Hollywood Bowl as the Los Angeles Philharmonic played patriotic tunes. Red-white-and-blue-bedecked parades rolled through suburban streets. And throngs flocked to the beach to enjoy the summery weather.

But in other ways, it was a starkly different holiday. Several Los Angeles County Independence Day events postponed or canceled as tension rose in the community over amped-up federal enforcement action against illegal immigration.

Among them: Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Summer Block Party, which organizers called the largest free Fourth of July celebration on the West Coast, was postponed until an unspecified day later in the summer.

Robert Gonzalez, Gloria Molina Grand Park director, expressed disappointment over the postponement but explained in a statement, “the safety of our guests, artists, staff and volunteers will always be our number-one priority.”

South Gate canceled Thursday’s Fourth of July Festival, which was to include a fireworks show. Cudahy’s fireworks show and Huntington Park’s drone show scheduled for Thursday were also postponed.

The El Sereno Bicentennial Committee canceled what would have been the 66th annual Independence Day Parade. “We stand with our community,” a statement from organizers said. “The safety of our participants, spectators and volunteers is at the forefront.”

What would have been the 77th Pacific Palisades 4th of July Parade was canceled — but for a most different reason —  January’s deadly Palisades Fire. Organizers encouraged Pacific Palisades residents to attend Santa Monica’s parade instead.

Instead of its traditional fireworks show at Palisades High School, a drone show was planned Friday at Paul Revere Middle School, “intended for persons that were residents of Pacific Palisades and immediately adjacent streets on Jan. 7, 2025, and their designated family and friends,” organizers said.

Burbank’s annual Independence Day celebration was shifted to McCambridge Park from the Starlight Bowl, which remains closed by damages from January’s windstorm.

Amid fire worries, as well as environmental concerns, more celebrations transitioned from fireworks displays to drone shows, including the event at the fabled Rose Bowl.

Amid all those changes, however, many traditional events returned to streets, parks and arenas.

The Sunland-Tujunga Independence Day Parade was a “water-free event” with the Sunland/Tujunga/Shadow Hills Rotary Club, which organizes the parade, asking attendees “please no water balloons, Super Soakers, etc.”

In the 2024 parade, someone hurled a water balloon at one of the vehicles in the procession, according to the entertainment website TMZ. Actor Danny Trejo, who was among the parade’s participants, then left his vehicle to go after the perpetrator, according to the website.

Shaking off last year’s incident, a big crowd showed up again this year, lining the streets on Friday morning to enjoy the show, which began at the intersection of Mt. Gleason Avenue and Foothill Boulevard, and wrapped up at Sunland Park.

Hosted by Sunland-Tujunga Shadow Hills Rotary Club and Sunland-Tujunga Neighborhood Council, the colorful parade has a longtime tradition of beautiful horses, vintage cars and local history including “the oldest rock” in the area.

The 93rd anniversary Santa Clarita Valley Fourth of July Parade bore the theme “Home is where the Hart is — Welcome Hart Park!” a tribute Santa Clarita taking over the management of William S. Hart Park from Los Angeles County this week.

San Pedro’s Korean Friendship Bell, meanwhile, rang out 13 time on the morning of Fourth of July — one toll to honor each of the 13 original colonies.

The tolling marked San Pedro’s 48th iteration of the community observance event, which takes place on Independence Day each year.

Down the coast in Long Beach, hundreds of kids decked out their bicycles in red, white and blue for  the 21st annual Great American Kids Bike Parade.

The event, organized by Justin Rudd’s Community Action Team, encouraged kids to bring theirbikes, decked out in a patriotic ensemble — for a chance to win a cash prize.

Before the Rose Bowl debuted its first July 3 drone shone, FoodieLand Fourth wooed fine food fans.

To celebrate the nation’s 249th birthday, the big food festival began its three-day run.

La Verne’s Fourth of July Parade boasted the theme “Stars, Stripes, & Service.” The community grand marshals were La Verne residents who are firefighters and crews from the La Verne Fire Department, honored for their roles in fighting the Bridge, Eaton and Palisades fires.

Parades were also planned in San Marino, Claremont, Rosemead, South Pasadena, Westchester, Acton, Avalon and other communities.

Even amid the drone buzz, many venues stayed the course with traditional fireworks shows.

Pyrotechnics followed the Dodgers-Houston Astros game at Dodger Stadium; the Major League Soccer game between the Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Dignity Health Sports Park; the Earth, Wind & Fire concert at the Hollywood Bowl; and the “Kaboom!” motocross, tuff trucks and monster show at Fairplex.

Among the communities scheduling fireworks shows: Artesia, Cerritos, Gardena, La Crescenta, La Habra, Palmdale, Rosemead, Porter Ranch, Santa Clarita, Stevenson Ranch, Torrance, Walnut and Whittier.

Staff writers Ryan Carter and Holly Andres and City News Service contributed to this report 

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