The Coronado Fourth of July is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the annual Independence Day Parade this year.
With a full day of events planned and over 100,000 people expected to come to the island, preparation is key.
Dave Szymanski, the parade chairman, recommends visitors plan ahead for the crowds by finding a legal parking spot and bringing a bike to get around to each event.
Taking the ferry from Broadway Pier or the San Diego Convention Center to Coronado is also a great form of transportation, as it avoids needing to navigate the parking scene in Coronado.
On July 4, the ferry will only be offering the regular schedule, not the commuter schedule, and space will operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit Flagship Cruises San Diego for more information on ferry services.
Here is a full schedule of events for July 4:
7 a.m. – 9 a.m: The Crown City Classic Run will be returning to the island for its 51st anniversary. Starting and finishing at Tidelands Park, the course showcases the scenic views of the Coronado Bridge with a 12K and 5K option. Also returning in 2024 is the Crown City Half Mile for kids. To register, sign up at https://crowncityrun.com/.
7 a.m. – 8 p.m: Food vendors will be offered in Spreckels Park throughout the entirety of the day’s festivities.
7:30 a.m. – 10 a.m: Pre-parade entertainment will be taking place along Orange Avenue from 1st Street to Churchill Place.
10 a.m. – 12 p.m: The 75th annual Independence Day Parade will pack Orange Avenue and feature a variety of festive floats that will travel from 1st Street to Churchill Place. Those who can’t view the parade in person can live stream it on Youtube.
The Orange Avenue medians will open at 5 a.m. for viewers to snag their spots. Setting up tents and seats on the sidewalks of Orange Avenue before 5 a.m. will be allowed, but attendees cannot leave their items unattended or block the right-of-way.
12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m: Head to Star Park after the parade to watch the Adrian Empire recreate the arts, skills and culture of the Medieval and Renaissance eras. The group will do reenactments, competitions and showcase different weaponry of the time period.
The San Diego Star Wars Society will also be available for a photo opportunity in Star Park at 12:30. Both groups will head straight to the park after walking in the parade.
2 p.m: The U.S. Navy Parachute team “The Leap Frogs” will complete an aerial demonstration at the Coronado Golf Course’s 17th Fairway. The team is the official parachute demonstration team of the Navy, and each member has conducted real-world operations before volunteering to join “The Leap Frogs.” Most recently, the team participated in the 80th anniversary commemoration of D-Day in Normandy, France.
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m: Katleen Dugas, a San Diego native singer and songwriter, will perform a kids concert at Spreckels Park.
4 p.m – 5 p.m: The Coronado Concert Band will perform a patriotic concert at Spreckels Park.
5:45 p.m. – 8:30 p.m: The Mighty Untouchables, an award-winning band based in San Diego, will perform a dance concert at Spreckels Park.
9 p.m: Head to the Coronado Golf Course for an end-of-the-night fireworks show sponsored by the City of Coronado. The display will be launched from Stingray Point, which will result in the closure of the sandy beach. Tune in on KYXY Radio 96.5 FM to listen to a soundtrack set in time to the show.
For more information of July 4 events, visit https://coronadofourthofjuly.com/
