A member of the SLO County Independence Day Marching Band dances down the street in the Templeton Fourth of July Parade Thursday, July 4, 2024. The parade featured dozens of floats and acts, including classic cars, marching bands and appearances by local law enforcement and fire services.
Joan Lynch
jlynch@thetribunenews.com
San Luis Obispo County communities celebrated Independence Day with a vibrant display of parades and festive events Thursday.
On a hot morning in Templeton, the community’s annual Fourth of July Parade kicked off at 10 a.m., featuring dozens of floats, classic cars and showings from local businesses.
Hosted by the Templeton Rotary Club, Templeton’s Independence Day celebration is one of the biggest patriotic parties in the county.
A paramotor pilot flies over the Templeton Fourth of July Parade Thursday, July 4, 2024. The parade featured dozens of floats and acts, including classic cars, marching bands and appearances by local law enforcement and fire services. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
In Cayucos, a parade briefly went awry when a Cayucos Citizens’ Advisory Council replica submarine float’s transmission caught fire, though no one was injured, according to council president John Carsel.
Later Thursday evening, fireworks will light the skies over a handful of Central Coast cities including Cayucos, Pismo Beach and Paso Robles, though most festivities took place during the day.
A Vietnam War-era combat vehicle driven by the Estrella Warbirds Museum cruises down the street in the Templeton Fourth of July Parade Thursday, July 4, 2024. The parade featured dozens of floats and acts, including classic cars, marching bands and appearances by local law enforcement and fire services. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
A World War II-era combat vehicle driven by the Estrella Warbirds Museum cruises down the street in the Templeton Fourth of July Parade Thursday, July 4, 2024. The parade featured dozens of floats and acts, including classic cars, marching bands and appearances by local law enforcement and fire services. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
“Friend of Captain America” Richard Smith rides a hoverboard in the Templeton Fourth of July Parade Thursday, July 4, 2024. The parade featured dozens of floats and acts, including classic cars, marching bands and appearances by local law enforcement and fire services. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
A Ford Model T driven by a member of the Central Coast Model T Ford Club of America cruises down the street in the Templeton Fourth of July Parade Thursday, July 4, 2024. The parade featured dozens of floats and acts, including classic cars, marching bands and appearances by local law enforcement and fire services. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
Mounted San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office deputies wave to watchers at the Templeton Fourth of July Parade Thursday, July 4, 2024. The parade featured dozens of floats and acts, including classic cars, marching bands and appearances by local law enforcement and fire services. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
San Luis Obispo County District 5 Supervisor Debbie Arnold and Atascadero Mayor Heather Moreno ride in the Templeton Fourth of July Parade Thursday, July 4, 2024. The parade featured dozens of floats and acts, including classic cars, marching bands and appearances by local law enforcement and fire services. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
A penny farthing rolls down the street in the Templeton Fourth of July Parade Thursday, July 4, 2024. The parade featured dozens of floats and acts, including classic cars, marching bands and appearances by local law enforcement and fire services. Joan Lynch jlynch@thetribunenews.com
Hundreds of people lined the streets for the annual 4th of July Parade held in downtown Cayucos. A submarine replica float belonging to the Cayucos Citizens’ Advisory Council caught fire while traveling down South Ocean Avenue in the parade. John Carsel, president of the council said the transmission caught on fire. The float itself was not damaged. Carsel laughed, “I didn’t expect to get in the newspaper this way!” Cal Fire firefighters who were in the parade converse with Carsel. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
Hundreds of people lined the streets for the annual 4th of July Parade held in downtown Cayucos. A submarine replica float belonging to the Cayucos Citizens’ Advisory Council caught fire while traveling down South Ocean Avenue in the parade. John Carsel, president of the council said the transmission caught on fire. The float itself was not damaged. Carsel laughed, “I didn’t expect to get in the newspaper this way!” Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
Mild weather and clear skies drew thousands of people to enjoy the city of Pismo Beach’s annual Fourth of July celebration and fireworks display event on July 4, 2024. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
Mild weather and clear skies drew thousands of people to enjoy the city of Pismo Beach’s annual Fourth of July celebration and fireworks display event on July 4, 2024. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
Mild weather and clear skies drew thousands of people to enjoy the city of Pismo Beach’s annual Fourth of July celebration and fireworks display event on July 4, 2024. Laura Dickinson ldickinson@thetribunenews.com
This story was originally published July 4, 2024 at 1:41 PM.
Joan Lynch is a housing reporter at the San Luis Obispo Tribune. Originally from Kenosha, Wisconsin, Joan studied journalism and telecommunications at Ball State University, graduating in 2022.
