This year marking it’s 49th rendition, Half Moon Bay's beloved Ol' Fashioned 4th of July Parade takes over Main Street transforming the charming downtown into a pulsating Coastsider take on a mini-Mardi Gras style celebration.

A time-honored, home-spun tradition, the parade celebrates Independence Day in small town America with an entertaining array of whimsical floats, marching bands, horses, community service groups, classically cool cars, decorated trikes and bikes, "Pooches on Parade", youth sports teams, dance and theatre troupes, photos and fun with the delightfully rotund, playful and mischievious Pumpkin Festival mascot “Gourdy”, a Color Guard by the American Legion, and local dignitaries and celebrities slowly winding their way through the crowded downtown along Main Street between Filbert and Mill Streets.

Honoring Half Moon Bay’s western heritage and always a parade highlight, there will be a large number of equine entries with prizes awarded in several categories. Half Moon Bay’s famous, 40-member strong “Sitting Marching Band” will be in their usual perch at Main and Kelly playing an array of patriotic ballads during the parade.

The Half Moon Bay Lions Club will be hosting its annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast in the City Hall parking lot (501 Main Street) from 8am to 12pm. Adding to the festivities are the Red, White and Blue Community BBQ hosted by the Coastside Adult Day Health Center (City Hall parking lot, 12pm to 3pm), a Libations tent selling wine, beer, margaritas and mimosas hosted by the Chamber of Commerce at (10am to 3pm), a kidzone with face painting and a petting zoo, and live music (Mac Dutra Plaza, 1:30pm to 3pm).

The parade is sponsored by the Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee and Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival.