Before the fireworks, check out some Southland July 4 festivals

Huntington Beach’s annual Fourth of July parade and festival gets underway at 10 a.m. Thursday, one of many Independence Day events.

Meanwhile, L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti will take part in Westchester’s annual July 4 parade beginning at 11 a.m.

Actor Ed Asner will be grand marshal of the Pacific Palisades parade, starting at 2 p.m.

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Santa Monica’s parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at Main Street and Pico Boulevard.

Huntington Beach’s event -- carrying the theme “Surf, Sun & Celebrate” -- will encompass the personality of the city, said parade assistant director Stacey Newton.

“Huntington Beach is all about surfing, being in the sun, and the event will celebrate the Fourth of July,” she said.

The celebration will welcome celebrity guests Lou Ferrigno (“The Incredible Hulk”) and radio personality Tim Conway Jr., as well as a slew of performing groups from area schools and military personnel, including Pearl Harbor survivors.

Parade sponsors, including NuVision Federal Credit Union, Huntington Beach Hospital and Boeing, will display floats. Marina High School will also celebrate its 50th anniversary with a double-decker bus entry.

The parade, which is expected to last about two hours, will take place on Main Street. Numbered streets and the roads along the parade route were scheduled to be closed.

Newton said Main Street will be closed to traffic the entire day, and Pacific Coast Highway will open after the parade until 7 p.m.

Parking will be available on the beach lots for a $25 flat rate and in the Main Street Promenade parking structure for $27. Metered parking spaces will also be available.

“If you can ride your bike or carpool, that would be your best bet,” she said.

A pancake breakfast, costing $5, will be held at Lake Park until 11 a.m. The Surf City 5K Run & Fitness Expo will be held until noon.

Fireworks will launch at 9 p.m. over the ocean. Newton said many spots along the beach are ideal for viewing, and limited seating will be available on the pier for $10.

Accompanying the parade and fireworks will be a festival Thursday through Sunday at the beach featuring food, vendors and entertainment. New this year will be a kids’ arts-and-crafts area provided by Home Depot.

Nonprofits will also be present at the event. The McKenna Claire Foundation, which raises awareness for pediatric brain cancer, will sell lemonade for its cause.

More information, including exact street closures, is available at hb4thofjuly.org.

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