By Lookout Staff

June 16, 2015 -- Ready to get your red, white and blue on? Residents can get patriotic for the Fourth at a local annual parade and a free fireworks show, both of which draw thousands of people each year.

This year’s ninth-annual Fourth of July Parade sponsored by the Ocean Park Association (OPA) will again take place on Saturday, July 4, on Main Street in downtown Santa Monica, starting at 9:30 p.m.

A week before the parade, on Saturday, June 27, Santa Monica College will hold its annual fireworks show, “Celebrate America,” which will be the only sanctioned fireworks show in the City.

Rialto-based Pyro Spectaculars will put on the display, with additional entertainment provided by the Derek Bordeaux Group playing a mix of Motown classics, jazz, R&B, and blues. Eddie Jauregui will serve as master of ceremonies, said SMC spokeswoman Grace Smith.

Also featured at the event on the college’s Corsair Field will be booths featuring local nonprofit organizations and other service providers, food trucks and food booths.

Gates open at 5 p.m., with entertainment beginning at 7 p.m. and the fireworks show at 9 p.m., college officials said. Picnicking will be allowed, but not alcoholic beverages, glass containers, barbecues, fireworks (including sparklers) or chairs with pointed legs.

SMC is a smoke free campus, Smith noted. The event is free. Parking is $5.

This year's 1.5-mile July 4 parade -- which has the theme “Inspirational Heroes” -- will be be led by Santa Monica resident Will Montgomery, the global messenger for the World Special Olympics taking place July 21-24 at venues across Los Angeles County, OPA officials announced.

Santa Monica residents are providing room and board for about 100 Special Olympics athletes who will compete in the games, OPA officials said.

The parade starts at Main and heads south before turning west onto Marine Street then north onto Barnard Way and ending at Beach Parking Lot 5 South, OPA officials said.

“We are excited to produce this fun community event for the ninth year and look forward to seeing thousands and smiling adults and children as participants and spectators decked out in red, white and blue,” said OPA President Jim Lawson, announcing the event.

Parade sponsors include the City of Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, Santa Monica Place and Buy Local Santa Monica, among others.

For more information, call 323-521-9672, or visit http://www.opa.sm.org.

For more information about the fireworks celebration at SMC, visit www.smc.edu/CelebrateAmerica, or call 310-434-3001.