Oceanside’s Independence Parade and a USA 250 Festival are set for downtown June 27 as part of a citywide observance of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The annual parade is set for 10 a.m. to noon in downtown Oceanside, featuring floats, community groups, local organizations and marching bands. It is presented by the city and MainStreet Oceanside and will be broadcast live on KOCT Television’s Cox Community Channel 18, with reruns planned afterward.
The USA 250 Festival will follow from noon to 6 p.m. at the Junior Seau Pier Amphitheatre. Organized by the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, the event is planned to include music, food vendors, community exhibits, family activities and competitions.
The June 27 events are among several programs planned through July 4 by the city, MainStreet Oceanside, the Oceanside Public Library, the Chamber of Commerce and other community partners.
The series opened June 22 with a presentation at the Oceanside Civic Center Library examining U.S. and local history. Speakers included Capt. Mel Vernon of the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians and Kristi Hawthorne, executive director of the Oceanside Historical Society.
Other upcoming events include a Star-Spangled Sunset Market from 5 to 9 p.m. July 2 in downtown Oceanside; the city’s birthday celebration and America 250 fireworks show at 9 p.m. July 3 at the SoCal Sports Complex at El Corazon; and MainStreet Oceanside’s O’side Independence Day Festival, or O’Fest, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 4 along the beachfront.
“America’s 250th Anniversary provides a special opportunity for our community to come together, reflect on our shared history, and celebrate the people and organizations that make Oceanside such a vibrant place to live, work, and visit,” MainStreet Oceanside CEO Angie Leonard said in a news release.
More information is available at mainstreetoceanside.com.
If your organization is planning North San Diego County events around the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, send press releases and announcements to the North Coast Current and OsideNews at news[at]northcoastcurrent.com.
