This year’s annual Fourth of July Parade themed “Songs of America,” brought one of the largest crowds ever to Loyola Boulevard to celebrate our nation’s birthday.

Nearly fifty community groups and over a thousand people marched down Loyola Boulevard, including many schools, community groups and non-profits.

Abby Sunderland and her brother, Zac, made a special appearance as the Grand Marshals and many in the crowd seemed delighted to have the two young celebrities ride in the parade. Zac is the first person under 18 to sail around the world solo, and Abby attempted to become the youngest female to do the same before her efforts were thwarted by a rogue wave in the Indian ocean.

Visitation School with its “Party in the USA” float, took home the honor of “Best Overall” parade entry. The float was brimming with patriotic students while “Party in the USA” and songs from High School Musical played in the background.

The Playa del Rey Masonic Lodge took home the award for “Best Overall Theme.” Its float was dedicated to  George M. Cohan who wrote such memorable songs as “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” “Yankee Doodle Dandy” and “Over There” and Irving Berlin who wrote the iconic “God Bless America.”

Other outstanding entries included Westchester Lutheran with its giant tissue paper flag filled with instruments, the Real Estate Consulants’ live band and the Babe Ruth Baseball league’s posthumous tribute to the Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa’s Star of the Neighborhood, Richard Webb.