Parades Seen Throughout the Peninsula This Fourth of July

Thousands of San Mateo County folks turned out today at celebrations throughout the Peninsula to celebrate the Fourth of July, by far our most important national holiday, as we commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence back in 1776.

In Half Moon Bay, Grand Marshall Karol "Bo" Bobko, a NASA space shuttle commander, led the parade in front of a captive audience of adults and children. Dozens of community organizations and civic agencies marched along the route down Main St. for the "Old-Fashioned Parade". A gallery of Local Editor Kristine Wong's photos can be seen on Half Moon Bay Patch.

In Menlo Park, the community was invited to bring decorated bikes, tricycles, golf carts, wagons, and floats to participate in the parade down Santa Cruz Avenue that ended at Burgess Park.  Menlo Park's Community Services Department sponsored the event. You can see a gallery of the festivities, shot by Photographer Mathew Sumner, on the Menlo Park Patch.

The 73rd annual Redwood City Fourth of July delighted more than 35,000 people. Take a look at Local Editor Stacie Chan's video of the parade and enjoy some fun.

And don't forget fireworks will be held in two Peninsula cities tonight, Half Moon Bay and Foster City.

In Foster City, the event is one of the last remaining fireworks shows on the Peninsula will take place at 9:30 p.m. sharp in Leo J. Ryan Park. 

"We're prepared and ready for another great Fourth of July," says Parks and Recreation Director Kevin Miller. "I would encourage all that attend to enjoy all the activities of the day, from the pancake breakfast, parade, games, dog show, booths, food and music. The fireworks are the icing on the cake!"

Parking and directions to the event can be found here ().

Foster City Patch Local Editor Sarah Yokubaitis reports from the event that large numbers of people have already gathered at the event, staked out with blankets and tents along the waterfront, so if you're heading to the fireworks show, try to get there by 7 p.m.

In Half Moon Bay, the San Mateo County Sheriff's office is advising motorists that Highway 1 will be shut down this evening during the fireworks show.

Lt. Lisa Williams, chief of the Half Moon Bay substation, tells Half Moon Bay Patch that officers will begin clearing cars from the roadway about 5:00 p.m., and that the stretch of the Cabrillo Highway between Coronado Street and Capistrano Road will be closed about 8:00 p.m.

Williams says the road will re-open after the crowd thins, likely around 10:30 p.m.