How SLO County celebrated America’s 250 years. See the Fourth of July photos

Thousands of residents and visitors lined Main Street and Old County Road on Saturday morning as Templeton celebrated the semiquincentennial Independence Day with its annual Fourth of July parade, a hometown tradition that brought neighbors together for a relaxed morning of patriotic celebration.

Elsewhere in the county, others flocked to South County beaches to watch as the annual Pismo Beach fireworks show lit up the night sky.

See photos from both events below.

Templeton parade brings patriotic displays, summer fun

The celebration unfolded at an unhurried pace, with neighbors catching up along the parade route as families enjoyed patriotic displays, community groups and summer.

As the parade made its way down Main Street, a sea of spectators dressed in red, white and blue stepped back to make way for Templeton Fire & Emergency Services apparatus before the color guard led the procession through downtown.

Grand Marshal Vicki Akin Zimmerman waved to spectators from a vintage vehicle as parade entries reflected the town’s agricultural heritage, civic pride and longtime traditions.

Near the front of the parade, Templeton Feed & Grain co-owner Tom Jermin smiled and waved to spectators from a vintage Ford Thunderbird.

The Templeton High School cheerleaders energized the crowd, followed by the marching band and a separate flatbed carrying the Eagles football team.

Antique tractors, equestrian riders, veterans, first responders and community organizations rounded out the procession.

Children chased candy tossed from passing entries as bubbles drifted overhead, while one float drew laughter by cooling spectators with playful blasts from Super Soakers. A highlight of the day was a flyover featuring two antique Navy planes.

One of the parade’s most notable moments came as a truck bearing a large sign thanking the community for its support following last year’s Templeton Feed & Grain fire rolled through downtown.

Later in the procession, a Templeton Feed & Grain truck followed with Jermin smiling and waving to spectators lining the route.

As the parade concluded, families made their way to Templeton Community Park, where food vendors, music and community activities carried the Independence Day celebration into the afternoon before the evening’s fireworks, bringing another hometown Fourth of July to a peaceful close.

Pismo Beach fireworks show dazzles crowds despite rain

Elsewhere in the county, crowds turned out later that evening to watch the annual fireworks show from the Pismo Beach Pier — despite the weather taking a turn for the worst in the hours leading up to the event.

As Saturday dragged on, clouds gathered along the coast, dropping a light rain on the dozens of barbecues taking place throughout the South County beach towns.

But the skies cleared just in time for the 9 p.m. show, where a dazzling array of fireworks lit up the sky throughout the night.