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Photos: OC packs Fourth of July with celebrations

July 5, 2023

Independence Day celebrations started early in Orange County on Tuesday and the fun wasn’t set to stop until well after the sun went down.

The Laguna Niguel Family YMCA hosts its 44th Run in the Parks with a 5K and kids race. Runners got up early on their Fourth of July to start the races at 8 a.m.

Kern Haug and his Vizsla, Cooper cross the finish line during Laguna Niguel’s 44th annual Family YMCA Run in the Parks 5K fundraiser on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

The start of Laguna Niguel’s 44th annual Family YMCA Run in the Parks kids half mile on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Grayson Cienfuegos and three-year-old Jameson Cienfuegos celebrate as they cross the finish line during Laguna Niguel’s 44th annual Family YMCA Run in the Parks 5K fundraiser on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Seven-year-old Sailor Kressin smiles as she competes in Laguna Niguel’s 44th annual Family YMCA Run in the Parks kids half mile on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Runners receive medals after completing Laguna Niguel’s 44th annual Family YMCA Run in the Parks 5K fundraiser on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Eduardo Casasola raises his arms in celebration as he crosses the finish line during Laguna Niguel’s 44th annual Family YMCA Run in the Parks 5K fundraiser on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

From right, Eva Estoque and her grandmother Riza Takeda celebrate as they cross the finish line during Laguna Niguel’s 44th annual Family YMCA Run in the Parks 5K fundraiser on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Olivia Foody, right, races to the finish and places first in the women’s category during Laguna Niguel’s 44th annual Family YMCA Run in the Parks 5K fundraiser on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. Brennan Foody goes on to finish first. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Council Member, Ray Gennawey celebrates as he crosses the finish line during Laguna Niguel’s 44th annual Family YMCA Run in the Parks 5K fundraiser on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

The medals given to runners who complete Laguna Niguel’s 44th annual Family YMCA Run in the Parks 5K fundraiser on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. Brennan Foody goes on to finish first. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Brennan Foody, center, leads at the start of Laguna Niguel’s 44th annual Family YMCA Run in the Parks 5K fundraiser on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. Brennan Foody goes on to finish first. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

Seven-year-old Mateo Quintana competes in Laguna Niguel’s 44th annual Family YMCA Run in the Parks kids half mile on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. Brennan Foody goes on to finish first. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

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In Villa Park, the Stars on Parade also got an early start with kids lining up at 8:30 a.m. with their red-white-and-blue festooned bikes, trikes, wagons and scooters to tour the neighborhoods and get everyone into the American spirit.

Young riders steer their bikes through bubbles in the 4th of July, Stars on Parade in Villa Park. Participants of all ages decorated their bikes, scooters and wagons to parade for over a mile on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023.
(Photo by Michael Goulding/Contributing Photographer)

Spectators cheer the parade riders on during the 4th of July, Stars on Parade in Villa Park. Participants of all ages decorated their bikes, scooters and wagons to parade for over a mile on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023.
(Photo by Michael Goulding/Contributing Photographer)

A trio of young riders wait for the start of Villa Park’s 4th of July, Stars on Parade. Participants of all ages decorated their bikes, scooters and wagons to parade for over a mile on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023.
(Photo by Michael Goulding/Contributing Photographer)

Woody Coleman 2, enjoys a red, white, and blue popsicle before the 4th of July, Stars on Parade in Villa Park. Participants of all ages decorated their bikes, scooters and wagons to parade for over a mile on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023.
(Photo by Michael Goulding/Contributing Photographer)

Kathy Moffat watches from her back gate, the 4th of July, Stars on Parade in Villa Park. Participants of all ages decorated their bikes, scooters and wagons to parade for over a mile on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023.
(Photo by Michael Goulding/Contributing Photographer)

A quartet of riders fill the back seat of this parade entrant in the 4th of July, Stars on Parade in Villa Park. Participants of all ages decorated their bikes, scooters and wagons to parade for over a mile on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023.
(Photo by Michael Goulding/Contributing Photographer)

Young riders steer their electric mini-jeep in the 4th of July, Stars on Parade in Villa Park. Participants of all ages decorated their bikes, scooters and wagons to parade for over a mile on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023.
(Photo by Michael Goulding/Contributing Photographer)

Brayden Zambrano 2, peeks his head of the 4th of July bunting before the 4th of July, Stars on Parade in Villa Park. Participants of all ages decorated their bikes, scooters and wagons to parade for over a mile on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023.
(Photo by Michael Goulding/Contributing Photographer)

Parade participants roll by a firework stand during the 4th of July, Stars on Parade in Villa Park. Participants of all ages decorated their bikes, scooters and wagons to parade for over a mile on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023.
(Photo by Michael Goulding/Contributing Photographer)

Participants of various ages begin the 4th of July, Stars on Parade in Villa Park. Participants of all ages decorated their bikes, scooters and wagons to parade for over a mile on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023.
(Photo by Michael Goulding/Contributing Photographer)

Courtney Halderman carries her son’s bike for the final leg of the 4th of July, Stars on Parade in Villa Park. Participants of all ages decorated their bikes, scooters and wagons to parade for over a mile on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023.
(Photo by Michael Goulding/Contributing Photographer)

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Huntington Beach had a packed day of celebrations, advertised as the biggest west of the Mississippi, and it seemed like most everyone was out in the morning for the always popular parade down Main Street.

The Huntington Beach 119th Independence Day Parade makes its way along Pacific Coast Highway on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Orange County Boy Scouts carrying a large American flag make the turn from Pacific Coast Highway on to Main Street in Huntington Beach during the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Members of the Sons of the American Revolution make their way along Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach during the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A patriotically dressed cyclist makes his way along Main Street in Huntington Beach just prior to the start of the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

An Ocen View School District bus with flag-waving students on board, turns from Pacific Coast Highway on to Main Street in Huntington Beach during the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A member of the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs Pipe Band plays along Pacific Coast Highway during the 119th Independence Day Parade in Huntington Beach on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Dressed in patriotic attire, Ray Prochnow of Costa Mesa sits along Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach during the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A helicopter flies over Main Street in Huntington Beach during the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A patriotically dressed dog makes it way along Main Street in Huntington Beach just prior to the start of the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Miss Taiwanese American float turns from Pacific Coast Highway on to Main Street in Huntington Beach during the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Vehicles from the Huntington Beach Fire Department move past the crowds packed along Main Street in Huntington Beach during the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A dog rides in a vehicle along Main Street in Huntington Beach during the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

The Surf City Go Go Girls dance on their float as they make their way along Main Street in Huntington Beach during the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Members of the American Legion Huntington Beach Post 113 wave to the crowd they make their way along Main Street in Huntington Beach during the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Patriotically dressed parade goers watch from a second floor table at the intersection of Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach just prior to the start of the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Parade goers wave as they sit along Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach during the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Robin and Ray Prochnow of Costa Mesa sit along Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach just prior to the start of the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Huntington Beach Mayor Tom Strickland gives the thumbs-up to the crowd as he walks along Main Street in Huntington Beach during the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

WWII veteran Robert St. Paul waves to the crowd as he rides along Main Street in Huntington Beach during the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Steve Garvey of Los Angeles Dodgers and Grand Marshall of the Huntington Beach 119th Independence Day Parade, waves to the crowd as he rides along Main Street on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Parade goers with front row seats along Main Street in Huntington Beach watch the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A dog and its owner make their way along Main Street in Huntington Beach just prior to the start of the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A patriotically dressed parade goer takes a selfie along Main Street in Huntington Beach just prior to the start of the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

A chalk drawing on Main Street in Huntington Beach just prior to the start of the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Shawn and Debbie Vanderwalker make their way along Main Street in Huntington Beach just prior to the start of the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Communities throughout the day enjoyed carnivals and concerts and many had fireworks shows planned to light up the night sky across Orange County.