Quick Take

More than 1,000 spectators lined Watsonville's Main Street for the city’s annual Spirit of Watsonville Fourth of July Parade, one of several parades across Santa Cruz County as communities gathered to celebrate Independence Day.

More than 1,000 spectators lined Watsonville’s Main Street for the city’s annual Spirit of Watsonville Fourth of July Parade, one of several parades across Santa Cruz County as communities gathered to celebrate Independence Day.

Watsonville’s gathering drew more 60 participants from across the Pajaro Valley for a celebration that lasted nearly three hours and spanned several blocks from St. Patrick’s Church to First Street.

Fifteen multicolored planes from the West Coast Ravens, a precision flying team, performed an aerial display above the parade route. Local car clubs, marching bands and horse riders also joined the procession as it moved through downtown. So did the Watsonville Jr. Wildcatz, a longstanding youth sports organization that provides football and cheerleading programs for children aged 4 to 14.

Elsewhere in the county, Fourth of July parades reflected each community’s distinct character: Aptos hosted its famous “World’s Shortest Parade,” a quick but lively 0.6-mile procession along Soquel Drive. Parade-goers also gathered along Scotts Valley Drive, in Boulder Creek’s downtown and in La Selva Beach.

Lookout photojournalist Kevin Painchaud was in Watsonville to capture the festivities.

Spectators line Main Street for Watsonville’s July 4th parade. Credit: 4th of July parade Watsonville
4th of July parade Watsonville
4th of July parade Watsonville Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Members of Cal Fire greeting the crows at the Watsonville Fourth of July parade.
Members of Cal Fire greeting the crowds at the Watsonville Fourth of July parade. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Watsonville City Council members Ari Parker and Casey Clark were all smiles during the Watsonville Fourth of July parade.
Watsonville City Councilmembers Ari Parker and Casey Clark. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Over 60 participants participated in the Watsonville Fourth of July parade. the parade started at 12:30pm and didn't end until close to 3pm Friday.
More than 60 organizations and individuals participated in the Watsonville Fourth of July parade.
California State Senator John Laird waved to the crowd during the Watsonville Fourth of July Parade.
California state Sen. John Laird waves to the crowd. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Fifteen multicolored planes flew past the steeple of St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish in Watsonville during the Fourth of July Parade, leaving behind trailing plumes of smoke.
Fifteen multicolored planes flew past the steeple of St. Patrick’s Catholic Parish in Watsonville during the Fourth of July Parade, leaving behind trailing plumes of smoke. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
District 1 - Supervisor Luis Alejo, waved to the crowd during the Watsonville Fourth of July Parade.
Monterey County Supervisor and former Watsonville mayor Luis Alejo waves to the crowd. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
4th of July parade Watsonville
A cheerleader from the Watsonville Jr. Wildcatz dances in front of the crowd. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Representing berry growers Driscoll’s, its mascot—a strawberry—gives high fives to the crowd during the Watsonville Fourth of July Parade.
The Driscoll’s mascot — a strawberry — gives high-fives to the crowd. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
A boy flashes the peace sign to the crowd in Watsonville while riding in a firetruck.
A boy flashes the peace sign to the crowd in Watsonville while riding in a firetruck. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
A man watches the Watsonville Fourth of July parade.
A man watches the Watsonville Fourth of July parade. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
A woman participating in the Watsonville Fourth of July Parade hands out beads to the crowd.
A woman participating in the Watsonville Fourth of July Parade hands out beads to the crowd. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
A young boy watches the Watsonville Fourth of July parade. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
4th of July parade Watsonville
Colorful murals on the walls of Watsonville reflect its proud Mexican heritage. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

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Kevin Painchaud is an international award-winning photojournalist. He has shot for various publications for the past 30 years, appearing on sites nationwide, including ABC News, CBS News, CNN, MSNBC, The...