ROSEMEAD – Hundreds lined the curbs of Valley Boulevard Saturday morning and then meandered over to Rosemead Park for food, music and fireworks as part of the city’s 51st Independence Day Celebration.

The parade was filled with local dignitaries, floats, balloons of cartoon characters and bands and dancers, much to the delight of the assembled crowd.

“The parade went very well,” said Rosemead Parks and Recreation Director David Montgomery Scott. “We had great entertainment, a great crowd and everyone had a good time.”

Rosemead Councilmember Steven Ly said this event will continue into the future.

“It’s incredibly important,” Ly said of the parade and carnival. “This is something that unites us. It’s the Fourth of July. We’re bringing together a whole nation. That’s something to celebrate.”

Jean Scott, assistant parks and recreation director, agreed.

“It’s going do, really a nice turnout, especially since we’re doing it the day before the Fourth,” she said.

And what was there to do at Rosemead Park? Plenty, Jean Scott said.

“We have at least eight carnival rides and many game booths,” said Jean Scott, adding she expected attendance for the fireworks show to be between 8,000 and 10,000 people. “We have a multitude of food booths selling everything from fruit bowls to Mexican platters to Korean barbecue. We have shaved ice and good ol’ American hamburgers and hot dogs.”

There were also many bands playing throughout the day, she said, like a Beatle tribute band, taiko drummers, reggae and even disco.

“We’ve had this celebration so long the community loves and expects it,” she said. “Entrance is free and so is the fireworks show and entertainment.”

One Rosemead resident, Jorge Rosalez, said he has been coming every year for more than 30 years and was there with his wife and daughter. He was also cooking his own hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken.

“I come every year,” Rosalez said. “It’s a family tradition. It’s good to hang out and have fun, good family fun. We stay here all day and them we watch the fireworks.”

(Shel Segal can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .)