Fourth of July Special 2024 by Signal

THURSDAY, JULY 4, 2024

Today’s Forecast 101°/74°

Welcome to the Fourth of July Parade

By Leon Worden SCV Parade Committee Chair

Special to The Signal

Happy Fourth of July and welcome to the parade! We’ve been celebrating America’s independence with a parade since 1932, and as much as things have changed since then, the parade really hasn’t.

Then as now, it’s a reflection of our community. Everyone who wants to be in it, can be in it. Ninety-two years ago, the people and businesses and organizations that made up the Newhall-Saugus community paraded through the streets of Newhall. Today, many of the people and businesses and organizations that make up the Santa Clarita Valley community will parade through the streets of Newhall and Valencia, which didn’t exist back then.

Emphasis on “many.” There are more than 100 separate entries in today’s parade, which makes it a big one. Before Covid, the number was typically 90. Go figure.

By tradition, in addition to cheering America’s birthday, the SCV Fourth of July Parade has a secondary, ultra-local theme. This year, we’re celebrating “The Freedom to Play” by highlighting Santa Clarita’s numerous parks, its extensive trail system, and the

undeveloped mountainsides that surround us.

A peculiar thing to celebrate on the Fourth of July? Maybe. Maybe not. Lots of people probably take our parks, trials and open spaces for granted today. But those things didn’t happen by accident, and before we formed the city of Santa Clarita in 1987, they weren’t even on the radar.

Considering that roughly 50 percent of our residents weren’t alive in 1987 and a far greater percentage didn’t live here then, some explaining might be in order.

Back in the day, our local government was the county of Los Angeles. After World War II, the Board of Supervisors decided they wanted to attract more residents and turn the county into a modern metropolis. That wasn’t too unusual for its time. Consider: The No. 1 goal of the Newhall Chamber of Commerce in 1923 was to attract more residents.

The county and the Newhall merchants got their wish. The Santa Clarita Valley got more residents. A lot more. But that’s about all it got. It didn’t get enough parks, roads, or schools to serve the exploding population. Instead, it got horrendous traffic jams and overcrowded classrooms.

Some local upstarts had a crazy notion not unlike the notion of a group of upstarts in 1776: independence. Both groups figured the best decisions for their people would come from the people who had to live under them.

How Santa Clarita residents can celebrate the Fourth

By Katherine Quezada Signal Staff Writer

Clarita

TBy Cameron Smyth

See PARADE, P16

Signal File Photo

2024 Parade Lineup

Lineup

P-1

Entry Name

CHP Motors

P-2 Metropolitan District Elks

P-3 Cub Scout Pack 494

D1-1

SCV Veterans Collaborative / Vietnam Veterans of America

D1-2 West Ranch High School Drum Line

D1-3

GM: Ken Striplin

D1-4 The Signal Newspaper

D1-5

D1-6

Sheriff Robert Luna

Captain Justin Diez

D1-7 LA County Sheriff’s Department

D1-8

Captain Ed Krusey, CHP

D1-9 California Highway Patrol

D1-10

D1-11

Officer Josh Greengard

Panorama Towing Service

D1-12 Pat Sprengel, Acting Asst. Fire Chief

D1-13 LA County Fire Department

D1-14 American Medical Response

D1-15

D1-16

D1-17

USDA Angeles National Forest

Santa Clarita Valley Girl Scouts

Oakmont Seniors

D1-18 Cub Scouts Pack 527

D1-19

D1-20

Boys & Girls Club of SCV

KHTS Radio Fire Truck

D1-21 SCV Food Pantry

D1-22

D2-1

D2-2

Olive Branch Theatricals

GVHS Color Guard

DM: LA County Parks Lifeguard

D2-3 Employer Support of Guard & Reserve

D2-4

U.S. Rep. Mike Garcia

D2-5 Garcia for Congress

D2-6 US Coast Guard

D2-7 Senator Scott Wilk

D2-8 Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo

D2-9 SC Regional Theatre & Canyon Theatre Guild

D2-10 Mayor Cameron Smyth

D2-11 Mayor Pro-Tem Bill Miranda

D2-12

Councilmember Marsha McLean

D2-13 Girl Scout Troop 70402

D2-14

D2-15

Councilmember Laurene Weste

Councilmember Jason Gibbs

D2-16 Blue Star Mothers of Santa Clarita

D2-17 Guardians of Santa Clarita

D2-18 Miss SCV Leadership Program

D2-19 Fil-Am Association

D2-20 SCVAA Warriors Football and Cheer

D2-21 Surface Busters

D2-22 Kona Ice

D3-1 Los Angeles Commandery No. 9

D3-2 Old West Masonic Lodge

D3-3

DM: SCV Man & Woman of the Year

D3-4 All Animals Search & Rescue

D3-5 Cub Scout Pack 40

D3-6 SCOPE

D3-7 Dance Studio 84

D3-8 SCV Women’s Council of Realtors

D3-9 Entity Mortgage

D3-10 PFLAG SCV

D3-11 Dome Sweet Dome

D3-12 Newhall, CC, Valencia Farmers Markets

D3-13 SFV Mini Truck Club

D3-14 Saugus High School Cheer & Athletics

D3-15 Jerry Salinas

D3-16 Daughters of the American Revolution

D3-17 SCV Corvette Club

D3-18 SCV Historical Society

D3-19

D4-1 DM: California Rangers

D4-1b Erin Wilson for Hart School Board

D4-2 Trail Life USA

D4-3 SFV Marine Corps League

D4-4 Agatha’s Murder Mystery

D4-5 A John Deere Family

D4-6 SCV Gideons

D4-7 Saugus Spartan Cheer

D4-8 Skyline Crane Rental

D4-9 SCV VW Club

D4-10 Republicans of Santa Clarita

D4-11 Suzette Valladares for Senate

D4-12 Freedom’s Way Baptist Church/ Lighthouse Christian Academy

D4-13 Derek Smith

D4-14 Carter Lite Family

D4-15 AK Printing

D4-16 Innovation Show Choir

D4-17 Dan Masnada for SCV Water

D4-18 Cali Knockout Football & Cheer

D4-19 CINTAS

D4-20 HOPE Theater Arts

D4-21 Santa Clarita Valley Democrats and Stonewall Democrats

D4-22 Santa Clarita Atheists & Freethinkers

D5-1 DM: Boys & Girls Club Auction Winner

D5-2 Canyon High School Cheer Squad

D5-3 Disabled American Veterans Charity

D5-4 Empire Dance Center

D5-5 Patsy Ayala for City Council

D5-6 Gary Martin for Water Board

D5-7 SCV Carts

D5-8 ACS Relay for Life

D5-9 Hart High Football

D5-10 Tim Burkhart for City Council

D5-11 Tyler Ring & Flojos

D5-12 “Please Save Damian” campaign

D5-13

D5-14 Funburger

D5-15 DJ Chino LOK

D5-16 Santa Clarita Grizzlies Football & Cheer

D5-17 Berean Baptist Family Fellowship

D5-18 James Blumfield 1955 Truck

D5-19 DeLorean

D5-20

D5-21

The History of America’s Independence Day

Few summertime holidays elicit as much excitement as the Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day in the United States. Each year, family, friends and revelers anticipate the arrival of the holiday so they can host barbecues, enjoy the sun, listen to their favorite summertime tunes, and commemorate the freedoms afforded by the monumental events that led to the holiday’s establishment.

Independence Day became a federal holiday in 1941, but July 4th has stood as the birth of American independence for much longer. July 4th marks a pivotal moment in the American Revolution.

According to PBS, the colonies were forced to pay taxes to England’s King George III despite having no representation in the British Parliament. “Taxation without representation” became a battle cry and was one of several grievances colonists had with Great Britain.

Conflict between the colonies had been going on for at least a year before the colonies convened a Continental Congress in Philadelphia in June of 1776, says Military.com.

On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence from England. Two days later, on July 4, 1776, delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence.

The Declaration of Independence is an historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was considered the strongest and most eloquent writer of the declaration writing committee charged with putting the colonies’ sentiments into words.

Richard Henry Lee of Virginia was one of the first people to present a resolution for American independence, and his commentary was the impetus for the formal Declaration of Independence.

A total of 86 changes were made to Jefferson’s original draft until the final version was adopted.

The signing of the document helped to solidify independence, and eventually lead to the formation of the United States of America.

A total of 56 delegates signed the document.

Although John Hancock’s signature is the largest, it did not hold more weight than the other signatures. Rather, rumor has it, Hancock signed it so large so that the “fat, old King could read it

without his spectacles.” However, the National Archives says it was also customary that, since Hancock was the president of the Continental Congress, he be the first person to sign the document centered below the text.

The Freedom to Play — Celebrating Our Parks, Trails and Open Space

PHOTO COURTESY NATIONAL ARCHIVES

The Pennsylvania Evening Post was the first newspaper to print the Declaration of Independence on July 6, 1776. The first public readings of the Declaration were held in Philadelphia’s Independence Square on July 8, 1776. (MC)

KIA

Parade Route

The History of Old Glory

Facts about the American flag: how it came to be, the significance of its colors and how it received its nickname

National flags serve to unite citizens of a given country. Flags wave proudly in front of government buildings and schools, and they also identify athletes during international sporting competitions. In many countries, flags also serve as symbols of honor for members of the military and their families.

For more than 200 years, the American flag has been a symbol of unity and pride in the United States. The red, white and blue flag has a storied history and has gone through various incarnations. The following are some of the more interesting facts pertaining to the American flag.

Six different flag designs were flown before Betsy Ross announced that she had sewn the official American flag. These designs included a series of alternating red and white stripes, the Liberty Tree, the Sons of Liberty and the Forester flag designs. The Continental Army once used a flag featuring a snake with the mantra “Don’t Tread on Me.”

On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress proposed and passed the Flag Act of 1777. This

resolution was designed to facilitate the creation of an official flag for a nation that was aiming to earn its independence from Great Britain. The flag was to have thirteen stripes, alternating red and white, with thirteen white stars on a blue field. The thirteen stars signified the original members of the Union.

The American flag remained unchanged until 1795, when the stripes and stars were increased to 15 for the addition of Kentucky and Vermont to the Union.

After seeing the new stars-and-stripes flag flying over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the poem that would eventually become the nation’s national anthem.

A sea captain from Massachusetts named William Driver named a large, 10-foot-by-17-foot flag “Old Glory” after it survived multiple defacing attempts during the American Civil War. Driver’s nickname of the flag inspired the name to be used for all American flags.

Although Flag Day was established as a formal national holiday in 1949, it was not made a federal

holiday. Flag Day is only an official holiday in the state of Pennsylvania. This may be fitting because legend holds that Betsy Ross sewed the first flag in Pennsylvania.

Today’s flag features the original 13 alternating white and red stripes (in 1818, another design went into effect, permanently setting the number of stripes at 13 in honor of the original colonies) and 50 stars to represent the states of the Union. The colors of the flag signify as follows: red for hardiness and valor, white for purity and innocence, and blue for vigilance, perseverance and justice.

The Color Association of the United States creates the palette of colors used for both private and public institutions and the U.S. Army. Mass-market flag manufacturers tend to use Pantone Matching Shade of Dark Red (193 C) and Navy Blue (281 C).

The American Flag has been a fixture of the United States for centuries and continues to serve as a symbol of pride, valor and history. (MC)

Here’s a look at some of the activities and events scheduled for the day.

The Santa Clarita Runners 40th Annual Independence Day Classic 5K and 10K

The 40th annual Independence Day Classic run presented by the Santa Clarita Runners will begin its 10K race at 7 a.m. The Kids K run will begin at 7:45 a.m. and the Heritage Sierra 5K race will begin at 8 a.m.

This year there will be a new segment in the programming that will include a one-mile walk for seniors. It will begin at 8 a.m. immediately following the 5K run.

This celebration welcomes people of all ages with all abilities and proceeds will benefit the organization and local high schools’ cross-country programs.

The 5K route and the one-mile-senior walk will run through Santa Clarita’s Fourth of July parade route, and participants can receive cheers from the large crowd awaiting the much-anticipated parade.

Registration ranges from $15 to $65 and the festivities will be held at Newhall Memorial Park, 24933 Newhall Ave., Newhall.

For more information visit: id5k.scrunners.org.

Rotary Club of SCV All You Can Eat Pancake & Sausage Breakfast

Before members of the community make their way to the Fourth of July Parade, they can pick up a stack of pancakes and sausage at the annual pancake breakfast hosted by the SCV Rotary Club. The annual tradition benefits local nonprofit organizations and breakfast will be served from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. The meal, which includes a cup of orange juice and coffee, will cost $10. Children under the age of 12 eat for free when they are accompanied by an adult who purchases breakfast.

The tasty morning will take place in the parking lot adjacent to 24200 Main St. in Old Town Newhall.

Santa Clarita Valley Annual Fourth of July Parade

Titled “The Freedom to Play, Celebrating Our Parks, Trails and Open Space,” the 92nd annual Fourth of July parade will begin at 9 a.m. at the roundabout near William S. Hart Park and proceed through Main Street in Old Town Newhall before making a left on Lyons Avenue and a right on Orchard Village Road. Floats will continue by taking a right on Dalbey Drive before finishing near Placerita Junior High School.

The parade will pay homage to the city’s dedication to “preserving our land’s history and protecting our wildlife. I invite you to come and see all the entries in person and pay special tribute to our American heroes and the green spaces we are fortunate to have in and surrounding our city,” Councilwoman Laurene Weste said in a news release.

The event is free, and spectators are advised to arrive early and find a good viewing spot. Attendees are also advised to plan accordingly for the hot weather.

Painting with a Twist Fourth of July themed painting experience

Painting with a Twist, located in Valencia, will be hosting two separate painting experiences to commemorate the holiday.

The first session is scheduled from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. and participants will be painting an American flag in the famous artist Vincent Van Gogh’s Post Impression art style.

No prior art experience is required for participation and all ages are welcome.

Prices range from $30 to $32 per person and you have the option to choose whether to paint on a 16x20 canvas or 11x14 canvas.

The second session is scheduled from 3 - 5 p.m. and participants will be painting the American flag on a 18x18 wood shiplap pallet. This experience is priced at $41 per person.

For more information visit: www. paintingwithatwist.com/studio/santa-clarita/calendar.

Santa Clarita Fireworks Show

Beginning at approximately 9:15 p.m., after the sun sets, the Valencia Town Center will host the city of Santa Clarita’s annual fireworks show that will illuminate the night sky with colorful bursts. The city’s “Spirit of America” show is free and a musical soundtrack will be broadcast on KHTS AM-1220.

The Valencia Town Center is also offering a familyfriendly rooftop VIP Fireworks Watch Party that runs from 6 - 10 p.m. on the roof of the Macy’s parking structure.

Tickets to the VIP party are $45 for adults and $35 for kids aged 12 and under. There will be food, drinks, games, raffles and a DJ. Chairs will be provided. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the WiSH Education Foundation, an organization dedicated to bridging the gap in state funding for education.

To purchase tickets, visit bit.ly/4c3y4UO.

SMYTH

Continued from P1 scenic spots; they are the lifeblood of our community, offering places for families to gather, children to play and everyone to connect with nature. The Fourth of July is the perfect time to appreciate and enjoy these wonderful amenities that make Santa Clarita a truly special place to live.

Our parks, trails and open spaces are

Beginning

a testament to the vision and dedication of our community leaders who prioritized creating and preserving these areas for all to enjoy. Their commitment has ensured that Santa Clarita remains a vibrant and healthy community, where the joys of outdoor recreation are accessible to everyone.

The Fourth of July Parade in Santa Clarita is a time-honored tradition that brings our community together in celebration of our nation’s birthday. Join us early in Old Town Newhall for a

the display of fireworks, the best viewing areas will be at the Full Throttle Plaza, DC Universe and the Main Gate Plaza.

delicious pancake breakfast prepared by our amazing Rotarians, then find a spot along the parade route to witness the patriotic displays by residents, elected officials and community groups.

As the sun sets, the festivities continue with the Spirit of America Fireworks Spectacular at Valencia Town Center. The night sky will light up with dazzling colors, a fitting tribute to the spirit of freedom and unity that binds us all.

As we celebrate this Independence Day, let’s remember the countless men

and women who fought for the freedoms we cherish today. From the brave soldiers who defended our nation to the first responders who keep us safe every day, we owe them a debt of gratitude. Their sacrifices allow us to enjoy the liberties and privileges that define our American way of life. May you have a safe and happy Independence Day, and thank you for being part of this wonderful community.

Happy Fourth of July, Santa Clarita!

‘Let Freedom Ring’ Six Flags Celebration Fireworks

at 9:15 p.m. Six Flags Magic Mountain will be displaying a celebration of fireworks, and the fireworks continue nightly through Saturday.

If residents are attending the theme park to witness

Newhall’s First Parade

Homecoming Celebration July 4, 1935

Every Fourth of July, Folks from miles around would “come home” to Newhall and participate in a Homecoming Celebration in the park next to (the fourth) Newhall School on Walnut Street. Just before the kickoff of the annual parade, all of the participants would gather for a photograph by Thompson of Santa Monica. This is the 1935 version, courtesy of Bud Lutge by way of artist Paulette Tcherkassky.

By Leon Worden SCVHistory.com

It was July 3, 1930. Herbert Hoover was in the White House. The nation’s economic troubles were looking like they would get worse before they got better. Nobody was in a particularly celebratory mood, and from his tiny office and print shop at 636 Spruce Street, Signal editor A.B.”Dad” Thatcher griped about Newhall’s lackluster display of patriotism on America’s 154th birthday.

“In the old days,” Thatcher writes, “two objects were to be attained, or a (July 4th) celebration was marked down as a fizzle. The first was to get the best known speaker possible, and the other was to buy more fireworks than (any) other town.”

The next year, 1931, was worse. Just months after Congress made the Star Spangled Banner the national anthem, “the population of Newhall celebrated the glorious Fourth by trips in every direction, most of that direction was toward the beach.”

Then a curious thing happened. In 1932 the locals got their act together and staged one wing-ding of a July 4th show.

“The national holiday was celebrated in Newhall with the greatest and most colorful festivity that has marked the public doings in town for many years,” the ever-patriotic Thatcher writes.

It seems our town mothers and fathers, most notably the realtor-turned-historian A.B. Perkins and Chevy dealer Fred Lamkin, decided that Depression or no, Newhall would have a parade.

“The parade formed on Arch Street,” Thatcher writes, “from whence it marched to Newhall Avenue, which was followed to Tenth Street (now called Lyons Avenue), turning to Spruce Street (now called San Fernando Road) and moving south to Market Street, where it turned to the playground near the Community Church anddissolved.”

The parade had an “Old Time” theme — no kidding — with an “old-timeprospector and his family, the Mule Team freight line, cowboys, old time ranchers and others, along with the newer things that have become a part of our communitylife.”

Things like S.D. Dill’s brand-new 1932 school bus, which was “an impressive lesson of the progress both of transportation and the number of pupils.”

The “Catholic Ladies” won Sweepstakes for their model of the San Fernando Mission, complete with “Indians, Padre and other features.”

Newhall Ice — still in business today — won the “originality” prize for its blocks of ice with flowers and fruit inside.

Opal Houghton’s stunning hat won her the “best ladies costume” prize, presented by Ruby Kellogg.

“Jess Doty and his men put on an odd stunt. A car of 1913 was shown with some wheels out of center, and known as Galloping Lizzie, was followed by one of the newestmodels.”

“Herb Ball’s freight line got stuck, and lost the water wagon, but finally got its place with the sixteen mule team.”

After the parade, “fully two thousand people milled around, visiting, greeting friends, dodging the fire crackers, and waiting the opening of the barbecue dinner. Pictures of the old timers, who were there in force, were taken.”

Politicians made patriotic speeches, and sporting events lasted until sundown.

“The greased pig and greased pole contests seemed to make the most sport, the pole climbing being continued until finally Robert Poore, of Glendale, managed to overcome the slippery handicap and get the $2.50 prize.”

Evening festivities included a fireworks display on the grounds of Newhall School.

Every year after that, Newhall’s Fourth of July festivities just got bigger and bigger.

The 1933 parade saw no fewer than 27 official entries, with “about a hundred horsemen, rodeo performers, cowboys, cowgirls and movie stars.”

It is a fine tradition, one that has stayed the same more than it has changed over the years.

Sure, we’ll have a few more than 27 official entries tomorrow. More than 127, even. And the parade will draw a bit more than 2,000 spectators. It’ll likely be the biggest mass of humanity this town has ever seen at a single community event.

But this year’s “Life on the Frontier” theme isn’t too different from the “OldTime” motif of 64 years ago. And we’re bound to have some 1930s-vintageautomobiles, as well as some of the “newer things that have become a part of our community life,” as Thatcher put it.

Newhall Park will again be the venue for post-parade activities. We might not have a greased pig contest, but we’ll have pig races and all sorts of other contests at Frontier Days, which start right after the parade and run through Sunday, July 7 at the fairgrounds on Soledad Canyon Road. And “Dad” Thatcher would be pleased to know we’ll have fireworks.

Independence Day is a special time in Newhall, where people from all over Santa Clarita come together to show their pride in the greatest community and the greatest nation on earth.

Newhall Fourth of July Celebration, Saxonia Park, 1909-1913

At the time, Newhall celebrated the Fourth of July with a picnic and festivities at Saxonia Park. The park was located at the west end of Placerita Canyon at what is now 24912 Quigley Canyon Road.

Antelope Valley Band Fourth of July Parade 1933

The Antelope Valley Band out of Lancaster, led by Paul Hubbard. The Santa Clarita Valley didn’t have its own high school band in 1933 because the Santa Clarita Valley didn’t have its own high school.

Local court officials from the Soledad Judicial District July 4, 1935

Before the Santa Clarita Valley was known as the Santa Clarita Valley, it was Soledad Township, and before it had its first Municipal Court judgeship — in 1966 — it had a “Justice Court” with a succession of locally elected community leaders (with real jobs in real life) serving as part-time judge and jury for minor crimes. The Soledad Judicial District stretched all the way from L.A. City limits to the Kern County line.

A flowery entry in the 1933 Parade.

How to Properly Display the Flag

The American flag symbolizes many things to many people. While the American flag is proudly displayed in millions of buildings and homes across the United States year-round, it tends to draw special attention each summer, when Americans celebrate their independence on July 4.

The Flag Code formalizes and unifies the standards of respect that must be given to the flag, even containing specific instructions regarding how the flag should not be used. The following are some of the rules that govern how to display the American flag.

Raising and Lowering the Flag

According to USFlag.org, the American flag should be raised quickly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. While the Flag Code suggests the flag should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset, if it is displayed at night, it should be illuminated. The flag should be saluted as it is hoisted, and when lowered that salute should be held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the final note of music, whichever is the longest.

When displayed indoors, the flag should be displayed to the right of the speaker, staging area or sanctuary. Any additional flags hanging in the room should always hang to the left of the American flag. When flags are grouped for display, the American flag should be in the center and at the highest point of any flag.

In Mourning

The American flag is often displayed in mourning. When placing the flag at half staff, first hoist it to the peak for an instant before lowering it to a position halfway between the top and bottom of the staff.

EDuring mourning, when the time comes to lower the flag, it should once again be momentarily raised to the peak before it is lowered.

The American flag is flown at half staff when mourning designated, principal government leaders. It also must be flown at half staff upon presidential or gubernatorial order.

When covering a casket, the American flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should never be lowered into the grave

Parading the Flag

When the American flag is carried in a procession, such as in a parade, the flag should always be to the right of the marchers when it is the lone flag being represented. When other flags are carried, the American flag may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. Parade audiences should salute the flag as it passes in the procession.

Flag Restrictions

There are many conditions under which the American flag is not to be used. These include:

The flag should never be used as a decoration. Use bunting to decorate with the colors of the American flag, always ensuring the blue stripe of the bunting is on top.

The flag should not be used as part of advertising. The flag also should not be embroidered, printed or impressed on articles such as cushions, napkins, boxes, or anything considered temporary that is likely to be discarded after use.

The flag should not be used as part of a costume. The

Festive Facts for Fourth of July

ach year on July 4, Americans celebrate the birth of their nation and independence from Great Britain. This day marks the anniversary of the presentation and acceptance of the Declaration of Independence, signed 242 years ago on July 4, 1776.

The Declaration of Independence began as a letter to Britain’s King George to explain why the Continental Congress was interested in declaring independence from Great Britain. The writing of the declaration began on July 2 and the final wording was established on July 4.

Besides the usual, another way to commemorate Independence Day is to educate oneself about the many historical and entertaining facts that surround the day. The following are some interesting details about the origins of Independence Day and the celebrations that surround it.

Although 56 people eventually signed the Declaration of Independence, only John Hancock signed the document on July 4, 1776. The rest added their names later on. John Hancock’s signature is ornate and widely recognized. Putting your “John Hancock” on a document has become synonymous with the process of signing something.

The Declaration of Independence was adopted while the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Statehouse. That building is now known as Independence Hall.

The average age of the signers of the Declaration of Independence was 45. The youngest person to sign was Thomas Lynch, Jr., who was 27 when he signed the document. Benjamin Franklin, at age 70, was the oldest signee.

John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were the only signees who went on to serve as presidents. Coincidentally, Jefferson and Adams both died on July 4, 1826, within hours of each other.

Philadelphia is the birth place of much American history and is home to the Liberty Bell. Each Independence Day, the Liberty Bell is tapped (not rung, as the vibration would further damage the cracked bell) 13 times in honor of the original 13 American colonies.

The original 13 American colonies were located all along the eastern seaboard. They include Virginia, New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.

Independence was gained in 1776, and the first celebration took place in Philadelphia four days later. The White House held its first Independence Day festivities in 1801.

Benjamin Franklin proposed that the turkey be the national bird of the United States. He was overruled.

The only copy of the engrossed and signed Declaration of Independence is in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Independence Day is a time for hot dogs, ice cream and, of course, revisiting America’s history.

uniforms of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations are permitted to wear American flag insignias on their uniforms.

 The flag is not to be used as a receptacle to carry, deliver, hold, or receive anything.

The American flag is an enduring symbol of freedom and sacrifice to millions of people across the globe. The flag should always be displayed with the utmost respect and in adherence to the guidelines set forth by the Flag Code. (MC)

PARADE

When the local electorate birthed the city of Santa Clarita in November 1987, we had seven parks within city limits. Seven. The city opened its 38th park this year. Our population has doubled since 1987, but if you’re doing the math, we’ve got five-and-a-half times the number of parks. Trails? Three hundred miles of trails crisscross our 73-squaremile city.

In 2023, Santa Clarita ranked No. 9 on the list of “cities with the highest percentage of parkland.” That’s across the country. That’s a mindblower to anyone who lived here in the 1980s. And the survey didn’t even count open space. Open space. It’s the “greenbelt” – or right now, brownbelt – of unspoiled land around our perimeter that separates us from the valley below. The city of Santa Clarita has made it a priority from the beginning.

Shortly after city formation, Chevron USA started selling off its unproductive properties. The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy teamed up with the new city to acquire more than 3,000 acres as permanent parkland between

The Old Road at Calgrove and the Angeles National Forest. Another important player came to the table with more land to preserve – the county of Los Angeles.

In one combination or another, the city, the conservancy and the county have collaborated to acquire even more land that otherwise would have been developed. Instead of a landfill in Elsmere Canyon, we have permanent parkland. Instead of a landfill in Towsley Canyon, we have permanent parkland. The list goes on.

The people of Santa Clarita said it’s what they wanted in 2007 when they voted overwhelmingly (69-31) to authorize the city to do it. Thanks to City Manager Ken Striplin and his eagleeyed staffers who know how to spot a good deal, the city has acquired approximately 13,000 acres of open-space parkland over the last 17 years and continues to add land to its portfolio. Heck, it added another 41.5 acres just last week.

That’s in case you wondered why Ken Striplin is the grand marshal of the 2024 SCV Fourth of July Parade.

Valley royalty: Queens of the SCV

Signal file photos

1) From left: just before the announcement of the winning 1950 candidate, are Barbara Ayres, 1949 queen, and the contestants, Opalee Adams, Esther Duran, Janet Cook and Ruth Walk. Behind them, in the same order, Ralph Brown, Mel Adams, Don Brunton, Junior Feltner and Bob Wilke. Janet Cook won the crown that year. 2) Myrna Cash was named queen of the celebration in 1960. 3) Patty Nichols was named queen in 1959. 4) From left: Ginger Gorman, Elberta McKissack, Kathleen Burckert, queen Margie Powell, wearing her crown and holding her trophy, Janet Cook, Barbara Ayres Brown, Jackie Frerichs and Janet Austin attend the Coronation Ball, which officially launched the Fourth of July celebration in 1951. (5) Various queens would be selected throughout the communities in 1957, but LaVonne Saunders, left, and Karen Manzer were seen as the ONLY July queens. 6) In this 1958 photo, queen Linda poses for a Signal photographer after he “blew” his shot during the Coronation Ball. 7) Barbara Melby Gallion, who was crowned queen in 1955, places the July 4th crown on Billie Sitton, who was a Hart High School student at the time.

Seen below are photographs captured by Signal photographers of local residents who won or were nominated for queen during Fourth of July festivities. The photos selected are from 1950 to 1960.

2024 Fourth of July Parade

Gloria Mercado-Fortine

Signal Staff

FSusan Shapiro

Teresa Todd

Laurene Weste-McCarthy

Kenneth Wilson

SCV Fourth of July Parade Judges

Laurene Weste – Chair

Jim McCarthy – Co-Chair

Sharon Bronson

Terrell Edwards

RJ Kelly

Patty Kelly

Barbara Myler

Skye Ostrom

Linda Pederson

Tom Pederson

Georgia Rios

Patti Rasmussen

Tracy Sullivan

Linda Tarnoff

SCV Fourth of July Parade Announcers

Gloria Mercado-Fortine, Chair

Station 1 - Near 6th & Main

Fred Cruchalla

Station 2 - Front of KHTS

KHTS Radio Station

Jade Aubuchon

Andrew Menjivar

Station 3 - Library

Bruce Fortine

Gloria Mercado-Fortine (Bilingual)

Station 4 - Lyons & Kansas St.

Ed Bernstein

Malene Bernstein

Station 5 - Lyons & Orchard Village

Martha Aguilera (Bilingual)

Station 6- Orchard Village & Balita

Chuck Simons

It’s a Grand Old Flag

or more than 200 years, the American flag has been flown across the nation as a symbol of allegiance and pride, and the Santa Clarita Valley is no exception.

In fact, Santa Clarita is known as a patriotic town by many. Flags proudly wave on light poles down many of the streets, at homes across the city and at various schools and businesses, including some especially large flags at Camping World of Valencia and Schwartz Oil Co. at Castaic Junction.

“People tell us they love seeing (the flag) from the freeway,” Camping World spokeswoman Melissa Manning said to The Signal in a previous interview. “It’s loud and proud, and it never comes down, unless it has to be repaired.”

The massive 40-by-80-foot flag was put up three years ago, and stays up year-round, after officials at Camping World in Lincolnshire, Illinois, announced that all of the chain’s stores would be flying the massive flags in honor of veterans.

“Our company places extreme pride and value on our country and its veterans,” Marcus Lemonis, chairman and CEO of Camping World, said in 2014, according to the company’s website. “A large percentage of our employees and also customers are veterans, and we want to honor them, their dedication to our country and to our local communities.”

While the Camping World flag is certainly the biggest flag in Santa Clarita, it is not the oldest of the giant flags in the area.

Though the Schwartz Oil Co. flag is a bit smaller at 30 by 50 feet, it has seniority as it’s been around for more than 20 years.

The owners said they’re proud of their huge flag, which can be seen from both the Interstate 5 freeway and Highway 126, and was put up by the owners because they wanted to show some patriotism. They put the flag up during the Fourth of July holiday and try to keep it up throughout the year.

“I’ve been driving past (this flag) every week for over 10 years now, and every week it makes me smile,” said truck driver Ryan Pullman.

Pullman said he drives the same route weekly, and cannot wait to see the “towering flag,” as it means he has almost made it home.

“I can’t think of a better way of honoring our country than by doing this and keeping it up as much as they do,” he added.

Smaller yet still impressive, two more local businesses along the I-5 have also put up approximately 20-by-30-foot flags.

Both Conserv Fuel, located on the 28100 block of The Old Road, and McDonald’s at the corner of The Old Road and Magic Mountain Parkway, have recently put in new flagpoles to accommodate the larger flags.

Six different flag designs were flown before Betsy Ross created the official version, and today’s flag still features the original 13 alternating white and red stripes, in honor of the original colonies, and 50 stars on a blue background to represent the states. The red signifies hardiness and valor, white for purity and innocence, and blue for vigilance, perseverance and justice. Stevenson Ranch resident Shayna Reems said her

2-year-old son, Caleb, salutes — with the wrong hand, she added, laughing — every time he sees the giant flags.

“My kids love driving around town and seeing all the flags, especially the boys,” Reems said. “My oldest likes to see how many he can count in a day, though

he can only count up to about 20 before he loses track and has to start over. Their dad is a U.S. Army veteran, so they know the importance of being patriotic. … This is their favorite time of the year because all the flags are out.”