Santa Clarita celebrates Independence Day

Current and former employees of The Signal wave to the crowd Thursday during the 88th Santa Clarita Valley Fourth of July Parade in Newhall. Cory Rubin/The Signal
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Thousands of local residents gathered in Downtown Newhall Thursday for the city of Santa Clarita’s annual Fourth of July Parade, which has been a tradition for more than 80 years.

This year’s parade theme was “The Signal Century: Celebrating Our Press Freedom,” which was chosen in honor of The Signal’s 100th anniversary. Signal owners Richard and Chris Budman served as grand marshals. 

Signal co-owners Richard and Chris Budman ride in Signal columnist Robert Lamoureux’s restored 1927 Ford Model T during the 2019 Fourth of July Parade.

Parade Chair Linda Storli said prior to Thursday’s festivities that the city’s parade is an amazing way to help kids understand what the Fourth of July is about — patriotism, not just fireworks and hot dogs.

“We have even been described as the largest small-town parade in America,” she added.

Members of local Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops were the first to march down Main Street Thursday as they passed out flags, glasses and other Fourth of July-themed gifts to the crowd that appeared to stretch on for eternity.

Onlookers immediately began to cheer and applaud the veterans who followed and were representing the nation’s various military branches.

The procession would continue for about 90 minutes as Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station deputies, members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department, political candidates, elected representatives and even local athletic teams rode in on horseback, classic cars and customized floats as thousands of onlookers lined Main Street and Lyons Avenue to enjoy the celebration.

Girl Scouts wave to the crowd at the 88th Santa Clarita Valley Fourth of July Parade in Newhall Thursday morning. Cory Rubin/The Signal

Some of the spectators on hand drove from as far as Riverside to attend, and more than a few residents enjoyed their first time at the city’s Independence Day parade.

Diego and Denise Rodriguez, a pair of siblings who were in attendance for the first year, said after the celebration that they were glad they made it out because they were able to see so many classic cars.

Diego and Denise’s mother, Robin Rodriguez, said she came to the parade last year to support the cheer and dance teams, but she decided to make it a tradition.

Councilmember Laurene Weste waves to spectators at the 88th Santa Clarita Valley Fourth of July Parade in Newhall Thursday morning. Cory Rubin/The Signal

“It’s perfect, really, because it gives you that hometown feeling that I love,” Rodriguez said. “You see different floats and, now, once we get our little cheerleader back, we can go home, barbecue, look up at some fireworks and enjoy the rest of the day.”

Once all of the entries had completed their route down Main Street, residents began packing up minutes before a magnitude 6.4 earthquake rocked the area.

Captain Marvel gives a youg spectator a high five at the 88th Santa Clarita Valley Fourth of July Parade in Newhall Thursday morning. Cory Rubin/The Signal

2019 Trophy Winners

High School Drill or Flag Team

    1. Canyon High School Football & Cheer

COLOR GUARD

    1. California Rangers Colorguard

    2. L.A. Commandery No. 9

YOUTH GROUP (Non-Float)

    1. Trail Life USA

    2. SCV Boys & Girls Club

Members of the Rotary Club of Santa Clarita serve up the traditional pancake breakfast Thursday morning prior to the 88th Santa Clarita Valley Fourth of July Parade in Newhall. Cory Rubin/The Signal

COMMERCIAL FLOAT

    1. The Signal

    2. Surface Busters

NON-COMMERICAL FLOAT, UNDER 17

    1. Hart High Football & Cheer

    2. Cub Scout Pack 490

    3. SCV Grizzlies Football & Cheer

NON-COMMERCIAL FLOAT, OVER 17

    1. Fil-Am Assn. of SCV

    2. Prayer Angels for the Military

    3. Bella Vida SCV Senior Center

CLUB or FRATERNAL FLOAT

    1. Santa Clarita Republicans

    2. Vietnam Veterans Lost Patol & Military Vehicles

    3. Dome Sweet Dome

Kids from Fil-Am of SCV wave at the crowd at the 88th Santa Clarita Valley Fourth of July Parade in Newhall Thursday morning. Cory Rubin/The Signal

COMMERCIAL/SPECIALIZED VEHICLE

    1. Castaic Lake Dragons Boat Club

    2. KHTS AM-1220

    3. Steve Zimmer, COC Trustee

CAR or MOTORCYCLE CLUB

    1. SCV Corvette Club

    2. SFV Model “A” Ford Club

    3. SCV Antique Auto Club

CLASSIC or ANTIQUE AUTO (Single)

    1. Ramorino Family

    2. Jerry Salinas

    3. Richard & Sylvia McKenzie’s Plymouth Prowler

MOUNTED GROUP, OPEN

    1. Starhaven Stables

MOUNTED GROUP, NOVELTY

    1. Horse to Heart Tri-Valley Junior Posse

PARADE HORSE, OPEN

    1. Erin Heiman

MINI-HORSE HITCH, OPEN

    1. Nancy Degan & Cherries Jubilee

Sweepstakes Trophy

    Hart High Football & Cheer

GRAND EQUESTRIAN TROPHY

    Horse to Heart Tri-Valley Junior Posse

BEST OF THEME

    Santa Clarita Republicans

BEST DECORATED

    Fil-Am Assn. of SCV

HIGH SCHOOL BAND

    1. All-SCV High School Marching Band

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