Make this Fourth of July an unforgettable day of patriotism and celebration.
The events planned at the Ronald Reagan American Legion Post 283 are open to Legion Members, veterans and community members. The Post is located at 15247 La Cruz Drive.
If you have never met an Army General before, there is an opportunity to meet the Superintendent of West Point LTG Steven W. Gilland, after the parade. He will be the reviewing officer for the 2024 Palisades Parade.
8:15 a.m. The day starts with members of the military, including the General, running in the Will Rogers 5K, which starts at 8:15 at the Palisades Library. To register for the run click here.
9:30 a.m. After the run head over to Post 283, for brunch (refreshments served while supplies last).
2 p.m. The 47th annual parade starts and veterans and member of the American Legion are invited to walk along the parade route in their military gear with the Legion contingent – or just have fun and watch from the curb.
3 to 6 p.m. After the parade, a barbeque will be held at the Post. There will be several speakers and two comedians will also perform.
Speakers will include Gilland, who will speak on leadership. His wife and West Point classmate Betsy, an Army Reserve Military Intelligence Office, may also speak.
Medal of Honor recipient CSM(Ret) Gary Littrell will give a brief speech about values.
Colonel Lane Bomar Garrision Commander of Ft. Irwin Colo, who will attend the parade with his family, and may also be available to address and answer questions at the Post after the parade.
To keep the mood light, Navy Veteran Chris Henriquez, owner of Social Booth, has enlisted two comedians to perform.
The Great Omar, who started performing at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, has gone on to perform at the Improv, The Comedy Store and the Laugh Factory.
As a magician, he incorporates audience participation, using vaudevillian comedy and musical bits. Praise for Omar includes “Omar is extremely entertaining and is an expert at combining magic and comedy,” and “The way he gets his audience involved is truly amazing. His comedy style is entertaining, his magic tricks are superbly done.”
Also appearing will be Edgar Rivera, who has a new prime special comedy show Inbelievable. On July 3, he is performing in North Hollywood and tickets are $30, but you can see him for free at the Ronald Reagan American Legion Post 283.
About Inbelievable, a reviewer writes “the Bronx-raised Puerto Rican comedian, with his exceptional audience interactions and spontaneous humor, will have you laughing as he shares hilarious storis about family, love and the comical aspects of aging.”
For the kids, there will be a photo booth, gaming stations, shaved ice and balloon animals.
6 p.m. the gates open at Palisades High School for food trucks and fireworks. The event sells out and pre-purchased tickets are required.
9 p.m. Fireworks Palisades4th.com.
Thank you so much for alerting me to the activities of our American Legion post. I was embarrassingly unaware, despite being an Army veteran from the 1960’s. I just joined up, thanks to your posting.