Century-old celebration

It began with an homage to public transportation.

On July 4, 1904, the Pacific Electric Railway Company made its first Red Car run from Los Angeles to Huntington Beach, a community named the previous year after the company’s owner, Henry E. Huntington.

To celebrate, the unincorporated, up-and-coming little town held a festival that attracted more than 10,000 people who ate barbecued food and competed in horse races, followed by a fireworks show.

One hundred and four years later, this weekend’s events — including fitness races, a pancake breakfast, a parade and fireworks — will attract half a million locals and tourists.

FITNESS EXPO

More than 3,000 runners rise early each year to participate in the Surf City 5K Run and Fitness Expo at Worthy Park, starting at 6 a.m.

The Residents Division race, strictly for local residents, begins at 7 a.m., followed by the open 5K at 8 a.m. and the 5K Stroller Run at 8:30 a.m. Awards will be given to the top finishers.

In the untimed 9 a.m. Kids Run, all finishers receive a goodie bag, T-shirt and medal. Kids 6 and younger run a half-mile; kids 7 to 12 run one mile. The Fitness Expo includes music by the Breakaways, food, games and health information; it’s open from 6 a.m. to noon.

All races will start and finish at Huntington Beach High School, 17th and Main streets.

The walk-up fee for the 5K is $30; the Kids Run is $17.

Pre-registration and packet pick-ups will be at Farmers & Merchants Bank, 7125 Yorktown Ave., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 3.

Event day registration begins at 6 a.m. at the corner of 17th and Main streets.

The run benefits the Huntington Beach Jr. Lifeguard program.

For more information, visit surfcityrun.com.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Many runners gain back the calories they burned at another tradition, the Huntington Beach Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast in Lake Park, from 6:30 to 10 a.m.; tickets are $5.

While at Lake Park, take advantage of the return of bleacher seating to view the parade; tickets are $20 the day of the parade, and seats are limited to the first 500 people to register.

PARADE

The 104th annual Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade, the largest west of the Mississippi, will begin at 10 a.m., winding throughout downtown and ending a little after noon. Pacific Coast Highway will close at 5 a.m.

Visitors can stake out parade-side seating beginning at 7 a.m. today.

The roughly two-hour parade features bands, community groups, local dignitaries, floats, clowns, horseback riders and many celebrities.

This year’s parade is co-anchored by Ed Arnold and Maria Hall-Brown.

Community Grand Marshal Noble J. Waite was selected from a field of 14 nominees.

Born in the 20th year of the parade, now celebrating its 104th anniversary, Waite grew up in Southern California, served with honor in the Air Force during World War II, and then graduated from the University of Southern California’s pharmacy school. He ran pharmacies in Huntington Beach starting in 1951, finally selling his last store in 1980; he also has served organizations ranging from the city council to the school district to local service groups.

Other special guests include mixed martial arts champion Tito Ortiz; teen grand marshal Jennette McCurdy of Nickelodeon’s “iCarly ” and “Zoey 101;” “Amazing Race” winners and Huntington Beach natives TK and Rachel; K-ABC’s Larry Elder; “American Idol” finalist Lisa Tucker; K-EARTH’s Gary Bryan; and KDOC-TV co-anchors Shally Zomorodi and Pete Weitzner.

PIER FESTIVAL

After the parade, locals make their way to the three-day Pier Festival, which runs on Pier Plaza throughout the three-day weekend; on Friday and Saturday, it will run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

The festival includes live music, vendors, many dining options, a climbing wall and kids’ games.

Navy Band Southwest, “The Destroyers,” will play rock music to close out the Pier Festival from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday.

FIREWORKS

Friday night features a spectacular fireworks display at 9 p.m. over the ocean; VIP seating is available on the pier to the first 1,000 people. Tickets are $10.

The Golden West Pops and the Boys & Girls Club of Huntington Valley will perform before the fireworks show. Call (714) 374-1535 or visit hb4thofjuly.org.

ON THE WEB

For a photo slideshow, visit www.hbindependent. com Friday evening.

What are you doing on the Fourth?

“I’m going to the Hilton and watching the fireworks.”

McKenzie Dillon

Fountain Valley

“I’m staying at Huntington Beach and watching fireworks with my friends.”

Juan Rodriquez

Fountain Valley

“I’m taking my 2-year-old son to Huntington Beach to see fireworks.”

Ashley Wortman

Huntington Beach

“We are doing an open house at my house. Since I live in downtown Huntington, we expect a lot of people to show up.”

James Torres

Huntington Beach

“I’m going to be here in Huntington Beach watching the fireworks from the pier with family and friends.”

Billy Bui

Fountain Valley

“We are hanging around Huntington Beach like we always do. When you live in downtown Huntington you are a prisoner in your own house on the Fourth, but it is exquisite torture.”

Darrel Cohoon

Huntington Beach

CANDICE BAKER can be reached at (949) 494-5480 or at [email protected].