Thousands across the Southland celebrate the Fourth of July

Spectators watch Fourth of July fireworks light up the sky over Redondo Beach Pier on Wednesday. (Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times)

July 4, 2012 3:52 PM PT

From beach run to parade to fireworks, the summer holiday was a break from work for many and a chance to mark the nation’s independence. See full story

Illegal Fourth of July fireworks dot the sky over the Harbor Freeway near Florence Avenue about 8:45 p.m. Wednesday. (Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times)

Fireworks ignite the sky at the the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and Marina in Newport Beach on the Fourth of July. (Patrick T. Fallon / Los Angeles Times)

Maj. Gen. Scott Johnson waves to the crowd during the Huntington Beach Independence Day parade. (Katie Falkenberg / For The Times)

Virginia Warner, 7, of Newport Beach gets her face painted by a boy in the Huntington Beach parade as her brother, Gabriel, 4, right, watches. (Katie Falkenberg / For The Times)

Members of the Mountain Fifes and Drums of Lake Arrowhead perform during the Huntington Beach Independence Day parade. (Katie Falkenberg / For The Times)

Men in charro outfits ride horses in the parade. (Katie Falkenberg / For The Times)

Malick Sultan, 3, of Los Angeles gets a high five from one of the parade participants. (Katie Falkenberg / For The Times)

Competitors in the Hermosa Beach Iron Man run toward the Manhattan Beach Pier while celebrating the Fourth of July. The competition, in which contestants run a mile, paddle a mile and drink a six pack of beer, has been held annually for more than 30 years. (Patrick T. Fallon / Los Angeles Times)