The Hacienda Heights 4th of July Parade

Parade information

About the Hacienda Heights I Love America 4th of July Parade

Pageant

History (with Parade Programs)

Parade Gallery

Parade Information

The Hacienda Heights 4th of July Parade takes place on July 4th at 9:00 a.m. in Hacienda Heights, CA on Stimson Avenue starting at Colima Road and ending at Steinmetz Park (Google Map). The Parade consists of bands, floats, equestrian, drill teams, VIPs, local schools and church groups.

A highlight of the Parade is a Grand Marshal and a 4th of July Queen and her Court. The Parade is a real major local event with post parade activities in Steinmetz Park. Local organizations have booths set up and trophies are given out for the best parade entries.

The Parade seeks to draw the attention of all Americans to the real meaning of the holiday. It is a patriotic, flag waving, red white and blue celebration of America's birthday!

The 4th of July Parade committee consists of local volunteers.
The Parade is sponsored by local business and various groups/clubs

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About the 'Hacienda Heights "I Love America" 4th of July Parade'

HACIENDA HEIGHTS 4TH OF JULY PARADE

A PEEK BACK IN TIME TO THE WAY WE WERE

Each year Hacienda Blvd and Stimson Ave. become colorful, exciting streets when the banners go up for the annual July 4th parade. The banners wave to show pride in our nation and signal the upcoming parade on the 4th of July. Ten years ago an effort to better fund the parade was started. Community leaders and local businessmen have their names put on banners to show their support for the parade. The first parade was in 1988 and it is now over twenty years old.     

  The parade is planned by an all volunteer parade committee and sponsored by Hacienda Heights Kiwanis, It is a source of pride that (unless a business advertisement appears on the float), there is no entry fee. With the help of banner sponsors and Supervisor Knabe the “I Love America” parade is still going strong. The faces of the parade committee have changed over the years, but the desire to honor our country and provide a wholesome way to celebrate our nation’s birthday goes on.

The first parade was in 1988 and was planned in two months. The idea was suggested by the late and beloved Barbara Fish to Keith Cooper who was with United Cable TV and Bill Lynch President of Kiwanis, who presented the idea to Kiwanis to sponsor the event. Insurance had been the major issue holding back the idea. After considering the pitfalls, Kiwanis agreed to work with community groups. Kiwanis member, Keith Cooper, then an employee of United Cable, worked hard to flesh out the plans and arranged for a $1,000 donation from the cable company. He also arranged to have the Hacienda Heights parade videotaped and broadcast by United Cable Television. It was to be called the “I Love America” parade with the same theme each year. The committee decided to have the parade on Stimson, a very safe street. The original plan to march on Colima and Hacienda Blvd, was considered too long for youth groups to march. Children were always the primary consideration of the parade planners. Only two of the original planning committee, Ken Kim and Barbara Fish are still active.

The first parade in 1988 was amazing. The entries were special such as a mule drawn wagon entry, clowns, antique cars, church groups, school kids and our two bands.  Later, Gil Adams would form a Wilson Alumni band and that would make three we could always count on. In order to be fair, the high schools take turns being the 1st Division band and the Alumni band is last by their request. In retrospect, it remains one of the best parades. There was no money then so cardboard was donated by Irene Kubo and the signs were made with stencils!  Ideas were presented in the parade that would shape HH.  For example a recycling entry which remind people of our landfill problem. Well known residents decorated trash cans with recycling items and marched down the street in them! FUN! Each year new entries were encouraged to name just a few, we had “Striker” the Mascot for the Soccer World Cup in the seventh parade. Wells Fargo brought their stage coach and famous horses. The Navy’s model ship was in for several years. And an Air Force model was also in.  Beautiful women in costume and Mexican riders were a favorite. The Shriners entered their clowns driving the Tin Lizzies. We have been blessed with local clowns and the Elks club clowns. Solar Cars were entered by Los Altos High School and Cal Poly.  A school group built a rocket. Amazing multi - ethnic entries marched and put pride into the diversity of our community. The creativity of the people has been remarkable and rarely is a lot of money put into the entries. The judging was started in the later years. Kathleen Pensak and committee members set up criteria to get residents to compete for trophies.
In 1994, Jim Davis was honored by HHIA. The weekend prior to the parade is a clean up day along the parade route and other streets. The community is spotless and the crowds appreciate that and leave NO trash. It is teamwork on a hot day and groups get out and do a smashing job.

As the parade went on, a Queen and court was desired and they are elected at a Kiwanis Rib Fest every year. In 2008 they rode in a beautiful horse drawn carriage.

Over the last 15 years. The faces of Mary Ann King and Ken Manning became the voice of the parade on cable television. After riding as Miss Romper Room for 2 years, in 1990 (third parade) she became our announcer with Ken.  Although Ken moved away and can not do it, Mary Ann continues. The residents along Stimson have been generous in supporting the parade closing off their street for half a day. The parade is never on Sunday since several churches are along the parade route. The parade has had no accidents.

Once the event is over, in about a month, the parade committee evaluates the parade. Then, in the month of January, a new parade starts to take shape. It is open to all including residents from other communities. In 1999 a survey was taken on what people liked most. They told us what we knew, we need more bands. And the work goes on. What a marvelous tribute for a small community to make to celebrate our community’s people and our great country.      

Drafted by Barbara Fish in 2009.

2007 Grand Marshal Barbara Fish
Photo by: Richard W.

About the 'Hacienda Heights "I Love America" 4th of July Pageant'

MISS 4TH OF JULY  SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT.

In 1999 a Pageant was established by the local Kiwanis Club of Hacienda Heights, CA. to honor outstanding young ladies to be crowned “Miss 4th of July” and two Princesses within the community.

The contestants must reside within the borders of the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District but may attend a private school or a school outside the district.  Be students in good standing at their school, be a high school senior graduating in June of the year the Parade is held.   Must be single and not married and agree, if selected as the winner with the title “Miss 4th of July”, to be available during the months leading up to the 4th of July to attend periodic civic/community events within the local area.

Applications will be available approx. in April at the local High Schools or reaching Mr. David Wallach by phone at (626) 333-8426 or e-mail him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The application outlines all specifics.

The finals are held at a Kiwanis “Ribfest” fundraiser, held at the Industry Hills Expo Center Pavillion in the month of May.  All proceeds go to the “Kiwanis Scholarships Fund”.   The audience at this “Ribfest” will make a final selection.

Official 'Hacienda Heights "I Love America" Parade' Website: Here

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The History of the Parade (with Programs)

Many believe that our 1st Annual Hacienda Heights parade was in 1988*. Actually, despite what many have said and written, our(Hacienda Heights) first Annual Hacienda Heights Parade was as early as 1969. If you go to page 26 of a 1970 publication called "Hacienda Heights Growing with Pride" (visit our Library), you will read that The Sunset Juniors orchestrated what looks like a well organized Hacienda Heights Annual Parade. What became of it? The rumors are that eventually Insurance money was required/wanted and Kiwanis was approached and agreed to help with the insurance. THAT is when in 1988 our annual parade became, the 'Hacienda Heights "I Love America" 4th of July Parade'- the 1st Annual Hacienda Heights parade with that name.

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Hacienda Heights 4th of July Parade Gallery

 2016 Hacienda Heights 4th of July Parade:

• Photos and Video by S.R.

2014 Hacienda Heights 4th of July Parade:

• Photos by Andres Castaneda
  (Organizedlight Studio; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
• • Pre-Parade 4th of July Parade Pictures (70 photos)
  • Hacienda Heights 4th of July Parade (729 photos)
  • Post-Parade 4th of July Post Parade (71 photos)

2013 Hacienda Heights 4th of July Parade:

• Photos by S.R.
• Photos by C.R.H. (part 1)
• Photos by C.R.H. (part 2)

2012 Hacienda Heights 4th of July Parade:

• Photos By Richard W.

2011 Hacienda Heights 4th of July Parade:

• Photos By Richard W.
• July 4th Parade

2010 Hacienda Heights 4th of July Parade:

• Photos By Richard W.

2008

• LAEU: 2008 Hacienda Heights 4th of July Parade

2006

• Marty's Corner - Dave Wallach, Mary Ann King, and the 4th of July

2004

• Marty's Corner - For the Hacienda Heights 4th of July Parade, Dave Wallach, Christina Cho

1999

• Marty's Corner - Ken Manning of the Hacienda Heights 4th of July Parade Committiee

1997

• Marty's Corner - Gary Ingram from the 1997 Hacienda Heights 4th of July Parade Committiee

1996

• Marty's Corner - Bill Lynch of the Hacienda Heights 4th of July Parade Committiee

1995

• Marty's Corner - Steve Feld of the Hacienda Heights 4th of July Parade Committiee

1994

• Marty's Corner - On the Phone with Steve Feld - 4th of July

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