Patriots Day pageantry brightens town

The 50th annual Patriots Day Parade rolled through Laguna Beach’s streets Saturday, with plenty of floats, bands and patriotic pageantry.

The parade, which recognizes veterans’ service in times of war and celebrates America’s freedom, began on Park Avenue and progressed along Glenneyre Street and Forest Avenue before finishing near City Hall.

Volunteer and paid judges — independent of the parade committee — selected first-, second- and third-place honorees in a variety of categories. Winners in each category are listed below:

Grand Marshal’s Trophy: Pageant of the Masters

President’s Trophy: Laguna Beach County Water District

Band Sweepstakes: Bassett High School, La Puente

Elementary School Band: Laguna Beach Unified School District

Military Color Guard — age 21 and older: American Legion/Veterans of Foreign Wars

Floats — Community/Service: Laguna Beach Seniors

Youth Floats: Laguna Outreach for Community Arts (L.O.C.A.) Arts Education

Floats — Commercial: Laguna Beach County Water District

Novelty — Community/Service: Laguna Beach Sister Cities Assn.

Novelty — Commercial: HIP District

Automobile — Antique: Laguna Beach Sister Cities Assn.

Automobile — Classic: Laguna Beach Rotary Club

Automobile — Contemporary: Laguna Beach Sister Cities Assn., owner Rockney McGill

—Bryce Alderton