Independence Parade To Feature Largest Military Participation

OCEANSIDE, CA - The 24th Annual Oceanside Independence Parade starts this Saturday, June 30, 2018, at 10 a.m. at the intersection of South Coast Highway and Wisconsin Avenue. A patriotic tradition since 1892, this year's parade includes more than 120 parade entries that are expected to march, roll, walk and drive down historic Highway 101, with a great Military line-up featuring many active and veteran groups.

The parade will kick off with the 1st Marine Division Band and will also feature 1st Marine Division Color Guard, 1st Marine Division Marching Unit and 1st Medical Battalion. Other military branches strolling down Coast Highway include, Assault Craft Unit – FIVE (ACU-5), Navy Band Southwest and the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton. Kathy Hammond, a retired Captain USMC and Office Manager at MainStreet Oceanside said, “It’s an honor to serve my country and seeing the enormous military support makes me very proud to celebrate our Independence Parade with everyone in our community”.

Many veteran groups are participating, such as; Oceanside’s Veterans Association of North County (VANC) followed by Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 493, North San Diego County, American Legion Post 146, American Legion Riders, Chapter 146, and Disabled American Veterans Tri Cities Chapter #95, Montford Point Marine Association, Inc. Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American GI Forum.

In addition to the great Military line up, the parade will also be honoring Oceanside's "Hometown Heroes". The theme was selected to celebrate those who have made an extraordinary difference in the Oceanside community. The grand marshal of this year’s parade and the first Hometown Hero to be recognized is Jim Wood, former mayor of Oceanside. An Oceanside resident since 1955, Wood spent almost all of his adult life in public service. Wood was an Oceanside police officer for 31 years before serving as a councilmember and mayor for the last 16 years. He retired in January.

The second of three Hometown Heroes to be recognized is Eileen Turk, manager of the City of Oceanside Parks and Recreation Division. A New York native, Turk held recreation positions in New York and with the City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department before coming to Oceanside in 2006. She is retiring July 6 after 12 years with the division.

The third of three Hometown Heroes to be recognized is Duane Coleman, superintendent of the Oceanside Unified School District. Coleman, who came to Oceanside as an infant, has held teaching and administrator positions in North County since 1984. In 2002, he became principal of Jefferson Middle School and then served in executive positions in the district before taking the top job in 2014. Coleman is retiring in June.

Join us on Saturday, June 30, 2018 for the annual Independence Parade as it makes it way north on Coast Highway from Wisconsin Avenue to Civic Center Drive (just past City Hall). Come see floats, bands, walking groups, cool cars and much more.

The parade starts in front of the 101 Cafe (Coast Highway at Wisconsin Avenue) at 10:00 a.m. and works its way north with the first unit of the parade reaching City Hall around 10:15 a.m. Running time from beginning to end is about two hours. Viewing of the parade is available from the sidewalks along the entire route. Spectators are encouraged to bring folding chairs. The highest concentration of viewers will be on the north end of the route past Seagaze Avenue.

PARKING WILL BE CHALLENGING THIS YEAR: Street parking is available on the residential side streets that run parallel to the entire route (Freeman and Tremont Streets). The south portion of the parade route will be less crowded than the north area around City Hall. NOTE: To enter the downtown area from the East, you will have to cross Coast Highway at Oceanside Blvd. or Surfrider Way). Parking time limits may be enforced for street parking and parking lots - watch for the signs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://www.mainstreetoceansid...