Thousands of people of all ages lined the streets of Main Street, Lyons Avenue and Orchard Village Road Wednesday morning for the annual Santa Clarita Fourth of July Parade.

This year’s Grand Marshall was Fred Trueblood with the theme “It is a Grand Old Flag.” The parade is set to be dedicated to the memory of Fred’s mother, Bobbie Trueblood Davis, according to event officials.

The day began with a pancake breakfast fundraiser at the start of the parade route, with participants arriving as early as 6 a.m.

Beginning at the Newhall Roundabout in front of Hart Park at around 9 a.m., parade participants started to fill the streets, handing out free water and merchandise to spectators.

This year’s parade kicked off with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department motorcycle deputies and the American Legion Riders who — in addition to monitoring the parade route and helping with traffic operations throughout the morning — presented the Colors.

Following in the tradition of years past, those in attendance were able to then see the members of the Vietnam Veterans Lost Patrol Chapter 355, a nonprofit organization that serves veterans of all eras in the communities of San Fernando, Santa Clarita, Antelope and Simi valleys.

On the Lost Patrol’s float were five homeless Vets living at the Midnight Mission, who are “trying to get their lives back together and join back in to society,” according to Randall Phillips, a member of Chapter 355.

A number of Santa Clarita politicians, candidates and local leaders were spotted in the Fourth of July procession as well.

Congressman Steve Knight and Assemblyman Dante Acosta were among those riding a parade vehicle.

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All of the members of the Santa Clarita City Council, including Mayor Laurene Weste, Mayor Pro Tem Marsha McLean, Councilman Bob Kellar, Councilman Cameron Smyth and Councilman Bill Miranda, were in the parade.

The parade closed out with the Santa Clarita Valley Trolley which carried dozens of Santa Clarita volunteers who managed the clean up for the event.

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