Come join in for a memorable, fun-filled Fourth of July in Half Moon Bay – a celebration of heritage, community, and patriotic pride!
The Half Moon Bay Old Fashioned Fourth of July Parade is proud to honor Jill Jacobson as the 2026 Grand Marshal in recognition of her decades of leadership, volunteerism, and dedication to the Coastside community. Through her service with local schools, youth sports, community organizations, and as Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of the Coastside, Jill has helped create lasting opportunities and support systems for generations of local youth and families. Her compassion, vision, and commitment to community have left an enduring impact on the Coastside, making her a fitting choice to lead this year's parade celebration.
PARADE CATEGORIES
- General
- Vehicles
- Marching Units
- Animals (Other than Horses and Ponies)
- Decorated Bikes and Trikes
- Floats
- Comic
Equine
- Silver Mounted / Parade Horse - Open
- Fancy Dressed English - Open
- Fancy Dressed Western - Open
- Working Western
- Vaqueros
- Costume Class
- Horse or Pony Drawn Vehicle
- Mounted Group (Color Guard, Sheriff's Posse, etc.)
GENERAL PARADE RULES
- All registrants, except Decorated Bicycle and Tricycle participants, must report to the Registration Desk on Correas Street by the library to receive their position number no later than 10:30 a.m.
- All entries must be in their assigned position by 11:00 a.m.
- The parade will step off promptly at 12:00 noon.
- Please observe all posted "No Parking" signs.
- All instructions from parade officials must be followed.
- Entries or participants involving vehicles or animals must maintain control of such vehicles or animals at all times. For safety reasons, all persons and animals riding on vehicles must be properly secured to prevent injury.
- No child under the age of six may participate as an entry unless accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult age 18 or older.
- Entries with sound systems or other unusual elements must not interfere with other parade participants.
- No objects may be handed out, thrown, sprayed, or otherwise discharged toward spectators.
- Political entries will not be accepted.
- Floats with axles must provide a spotter walking alongside each side of the float as a safety precaution.
- Parade officials reserve the right to disqualify any entry that, in their judgment, does not enhance the celebration.
- Failure to comply with these rules may result in disqualification and removal from the parade.
- The organizers of the parade are not responsible for any loss, damage, or injury incurred by participants.
EQUINE PARTICIPANT PARADE RULES
- Horses and ponies must be in good physical condition.
- Horses and ponies must be properly trimmed or shod. Lame horses or ponies will not be permitted.
- Both horse and rider must be clean, well groomed, and appropriately presented.
- Horses must be disciplined, well-mannered, and suitable for a parade environment. Only one rider is permitted per horse.
- Riders must be properly attired for their category and must wear boots.
- Parade officials reserve the right to disqualify any horse, pony, or rider and remove them from the parade if they do not meet the category requirements, fail to comply with these rules, or are deemed to present a safety risk.