Celebrating Freedom, God

Thousands of Orange County residents celebrated the nation’s birthday with parades and fireworks Thursday, while thousands more flocked to local beaches to bask under mostly sunny skies.

In Huntington Beach, police estimated that 200,000 people lined Main Street to cheer the bands and other marching units in the city’s 92nd Fourth of July parade.

The theme of this year’s parade was “A Salute to the Olympic Games,” but patriotism was clearly the overriding emotion. The parade featured representatives from the nation’s armed forces, preceded by a fly-by of helicopters from the California National Guard.

The loudest cheers were for the U.S. military veterans of World Wars I and II, who rode or walked in the parade. Spectators stood to honor a group of Pearl Harbor survivors, all more than 70 years old, and cheered enthusiastically as they marched by.

A big cheer also went up for Fred Hummer and Frank Dennison, both veterans of World War I.

“These old vets from World War I and World War II are our connections to the past. They and other veterans give meaning to the Fourth of July,” said Paul Hemp, who was there with his wife and young daughter, all three dressed in shirts decorated with stars and stripes.

Elizabeth Dole, wife of Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole, also appeared, riding in the back of a convertible and receiving a warm welcome.

Mrs. Dole, campaigning in California for her husband while he courted voters in Illinois, smiled broadly when a supporter yelled, “Tell your husband we’re pulling for him!”

Other Fourth of July festivities across the county also drew enthusiastic crowds. Anaheim Hills began celebrating early with a morning 5K-10K walk and run, while Brea hosted a pancake breakfast at City Hall. Parades were also held in Orange and Irvine.

In most cities, though, the fun started much later in the day. Fullerton residents crowded into Fullerton Union High School Stadium for a carnival that featured game booths and a variety of holiday foods before the 9 p.m. fireworks show.

In Dana Point, officials hosted a picnic at the Marriott Laguna Cliffs Resort and a concert by the Capistrano Symphony Orchestra before the evening fireworks celebration.

Orange County’s beaches drew heavy crowds despite a scattering of morning clouds. Parking lots were full at many seaside spots, with more than 40,000 visitors at Huntington Beach State Beach and about 50,000 farther south in Laguna Beach, officials estimated.

Water temperatures reached a comfortable 67 degrees.

By nightfall, crowds gathered at their favorite spots to watch fireworks displays.

“They were fabulous, big, colorful, explosive and dramatic,” said Patricia Vardiman of Huntington Beach. “They were better than last year.”

While many celebrants welcomed the holiday as the beginning of a four-day weekend, Independence Day had a more profound meaning for others this year. One of them is Naomi Bermudez Castro, 33, a native of Mexico who is preparing to take the U.S. citizenship exam.

“I never really thought about the Fourth of July. To me it was just another day that I didn’t have to go to work,” said Castro, who lives in Fountain Valley.

“But now I know the importance of this day, and I’m here to say thank you for accepting me. By this time next year I will be an American too.”