Let the good times roll! This year, marking its 53rd rendition, Half Moon Bay’s beloved Ol’ Fashioned 4th of July Parade, Pancake Breakfast, Block Party, and  Festival take over Main Street, transforming the charming downtown into a festive red, white and blue celebration.

The parade starts at 12 noon in Downtown Half Moon Bay and lasts approximately 90 minutes. For more information visit the event website.

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, parading pooches, 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.

Half Moon Bay’s Rock of Gibraltar and 5-tool player Naomi Patridge will serve as parade Grand Marshal. Patridge is a 25-year member of the Half Moon Bay City Council, 7-term Mayor, prominent volunteer, past National Federation Interscholastic Coaches Association Coach of the Year for local youth softball, and has worn many hats serving the community in which she grew up.

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 11:30am.

Adding to the festivities are the Coastside Chamber 4th of July Block Party in Mac Dutra Plaza with beer and wine, live music, a kids zone and a Patriotic Outfit Contest (ends at 3pm), plus IDES 4th of July Festival with live music, food and drink booths, arts and crafts vendors and kids activities (ends at 4pm).

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

Honoring Half Moon Bay’s western heritage and always a parade highlight, there will be a large number of equine entries.

For many locals, it’s one of their favorite events of the year.

The parade starts at 12pm, transforming the charming downtown along Main Street into a pulsating Coastsider take on a mini-Mardi Gras style celebration.

There will be no judging of parade entries this year; simply a celebration of community.