Once upon a time there was a Fourth Of July parade in Santa Monica.

Now residents from the Ocean Park Association and North of Montana Association are organizing the inaugural Fourth of July parade on Main Street, It will take place, not coincidentally, on Wednesday, July 4th.

According to organizers, “It’s going To be very small town, kid-friendly and on Main Street,” between 9:30 to 10:30 a.m..

Participants will include the Santa Monica Police and Fire Departments, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Council Members, the Daily Press and the Chamber of Commerce.

Retiring Roosevelt School Principal Jerry Harris will be Honorary Grand Marshal.

Organizers invite everyone in the community to take part. Complete parade information may be found at the website:

http://www.opa-sm.org/parade

It links to a Daily Press story, “The Little Parade That Could.”

Owing to a City grant, participation is free. The deadline for groups, vehicles and people with pets to apply is Tuesday, June 26.

Families and individuals who wish to march can register the morning of the event. Check-in opens at 7:45 AM the morning of the Fourth in front of City Hall.

The parade will begin on Main Street In front of City Hall and make its way
south on Main to the Venice border.

Surely, it’s time for City Hall to revive its Fourth of July fireworks show on the beach that was a Southern California tradition. It was glorious, dazzling, sensational.

The fireworks at Corsair Field at Santa Monica College the weekend before the Fourth just don’t cut it, guys.