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10 Orange County Olympians honored with a Sunday morning parade

A hometown Olympian parade was held Sunday between the Balboa Pier and American Legion Post.
A hometown Olympian parade was held Sunday between the Balboa Pier and American Legion Post, hosted by O.C. Supervisor Katrina Foley for athletes living locally.
(Susan Hoffman)
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A military vehicle paraded north along the Balboa Peninsula on Sunday carrying Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley and 10 Olympic athletes from her district, which includes Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach and some of Fountain Valley.

The parade, which began at 9 a.m. at the Balboa Pier and was hosted by Foley, was created to honor and celebrate the local athletes representing several Olympic sports, including women’s water polo, men’s water polo, women’s beach volleyball, men’s surfing, archery, sailing and gymnastics.

A Hometown Olympian parade was held Sunday between the Balboa Pier and American Legion Post.
A military vehicle carries hometown Olympians during Sunday’s parade between the Balboa Pier and American Legion Post.
(Susan Hoffman)
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Athletes who participated in Sunday’s event and waved to the assembled crowd were Olympians April Ross, Charlie Buckingham, Jack Williams, Luca Cupido, Jesse Smith, Kaleigh Gilchrist, Paige Hauschild, Maddie Musselman, Melissa Seidemann and Alys Williams.

People cheer Olympians during a parade Sunday between the Balboa Pier and American Legion Post.
The community came out to cheer the Olympians during the parade Sunday between the Balboa Pier and American Legion Post.
(Susan Hoffman)

Members of the community lined Balboa Boulevard, cheering, waving American flags and snapping photos of the local Olympians and the handful of local, state and federal dignitaries who also participated.

Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens presented Olympic volley ball player April Ross with the key to the city Sunday.
Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens presented Olympic volleyball player April Ross with the key to the city along with her own street sign during Sunday’s Orange County Olympian recognition ceremony.
(Susan Hoffman)

The entourage arrived at the Veterans Memorial Park on 15th Street and Balboa Boulevard about 30 minutes later for a reception that included an honor guard, the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem and presentations by U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel, state Assemblywoman Cottie-Petrie Norris and state Sen. Tom Umberg. Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens presented a ceremonial key to their shared city to athlete April Ross.

Bystanders shot photos as O.C. Supervisor Katrina Foley led 10 Olympians to the reception area after the parade.
Bystanders shot photos as O.C. Supervisor Katrina Foley led 10 Olympians from the 2nd district to the reception area at the American Legion Post Sunday following parade.
(Susan Hoffman)

The American Legion served hot dogs and beverages to the 150 guests attending the reception.

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