Cameron to Lead City’s 34th Heritage Parade

For more than 30 years, Placentia has celebrated its heritage with a festival and parade.

The city will continue that tradition Saturday with the 34th annual event, starring Academy Award-winning director James Cameron, a former Placentia resident, as grand marshal.

All festivities will take place from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kraemer Park, at Chapman and Bradford avenues.

Cameron, who directed the blockbuster movie “Titanic,” will lead the parade, which begins at 10 a.m. at Kraemer Boulevard and Madison Avenue. Jim Soto, the city’s director of Recreation and Human Services who is also retiring Saturday after 23 years, is honorary marshal.

The parade, with about 100 entries, will travel west on Madison to Bradford and end at Kraemer Park.

Volunteers who planned the festival, with the theme “Celebrating Our Golden Heritage,” expect about 10,000 people to attend.

A barbecue will kick off the event tonight from 5 to 9 p.m. at Placentia Round Table Women’s Club, 901 N. Bradford Ave. Admission is $5, plus donations for food and drink.

Among the highlights Saturday:

* A pancake breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m.; $4 for adults, free for children under age 5;

* Car show and craft fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.;

* Mayor’s reception, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.;

* Salsa contest, 12:30 p.m.; pie eating contest, 2 p.m.

Information: (714) 993-8204.