Planning for the 19th annual LAX Coastal Fourth of July Parade is underway and applications for participants are now available at laxcoastal.com/parade.
The parade committee is looking for 50 entries made up of floats, community groups, local sports teams, marching groups and school bands, to participate in the hometown event on Wednesday, July 4. While attendees love parade mainstays like the Great Pyrenees, the LAFD bandwagon and the Hogs motorcycle group, the committee is always interested in attracting a few new entries and floats each year to wow the crowd
“We love and appreciate seeing all of our parade favorites year after year, but we always enjoy adding in a few entries that people have never seen before,” said Parade Chair Gwen Vuchsas. “For any group that has considered participating in the past, we’d love to have you submit an application and become part of the rich tradition of celebrating the Fourth of July in Westchester.”
If anyone has an idea for a float or entry they’d like to see in the parade, the committee is always open for suggestions as well, says Vuchsas.
For the third year in a row, parade organizers held a contest inviting community members to submit a theme for the event. The winning theme, “Cities Across America,” was submitted by LMU’s Director of Community Relations, Andrew O’Reilly, who will have the opportunity to ride in a convertible in the parade with his family.
The parade committee is encouraging applicants to pick a great American city and design their entry to pay tribute to its landmarks, famous people, ambiance and anything else that makes the city special. Each city can only be represented once during the parade, so participants are encouraged to submit their applications early with their location of choice.
“We’re really excited to see what cities our entries will choose to represent,” said LAX Coastal Chamber Board Chair and committee member, Liz Hall. “We’re looking forward to seeing a snapshot of the unique and diverse great cities of America and how our entries decide to portray them at the parade. ”
The Fourth of July Parade Committee is also accepting audition videos for those interested in singing the National Anthem at the event. Audition videos can be posted to facebook.com/laxcoastal or emailed to laxcoastalonparade@gmail.com by Friday, April 13. While everyone is encouraged to submit audition videos, preference is given to students who live or attend school in Westchester, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Marina del Rey and Del Rey.
For more info on participating in this year’s parade or sponsorship opportunities, please call the chamber office at (310) 645-5151. Applications to participate can also be found at laxcoastal.com/parade or via email at laxcoastalonparade@gmail.com.
Photo by Glenn Marzano.
Published April 2018.