The annual Fourth of July celebration for the city of California started off Friday morning with the parade in downtown California, sponsored by the California Masonic Lodge 183. The theme for this year's Independence Day parade was "Proud of America" with participants encouraged to show their patriotism. Entrants included Grand Marshal Steve Derendinger, Little Mr. and Miss Moniteau County, local firetrucks, Homeland Realty, United Church of Christ, and the VFW, to name just a few.
Young spectators were treated to an abundance of candy thrown by parade entrants, as well as popsicles.
The parade started at Smith Street and ended at the fairgrounds, where the Masonic Lodge distributed bottled water to participants.
Games for children ages 12 and under, including pillow sack races, ring toss, duck pond, water balloon toss and three-legged races, were featured on the courthouse lawn after the parade, sponsored by the California Historic District (CHD).
The icing on the cake was the ideal weather Mother Nature provided for this Independence Day, since the majority of July 4th celebrations are outdoors.
California's July 4th festivities were capped off with the annual fireworks display at Proctor Park, provided by the city of California.