PAPA Shares Plans for Fourth of July Celebration

By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief

Palisades Americanism Parade Association announced on April 24 the community’s 78th annual Pacific Palisades July 4th Celebration will take place at the athletic field at Paul Revere Charter Middle School.

“Now, more than ever, nothing will stop Palisadians from celebrating our Palisades 4th,” Matthew Rodman and Daphne Gronich wrote on behalf of PAPA in a letter addressed to the Pacific Palisades community. “While tending to our properties, working to find places to live and fighting for insurance coverage, the volunteers of the Palisades Americanism Parade Association have also found precious time to start planning an event worth of a Palisades July 4th.”

The celebration is slated to take place in the evening, with “lots of music, great entertainment, kids’ activities, more than 20 great food trucks and a huge drone show that will light up the sky with the most amazing display of fun to celebrate our independence,” according to PAPA.

In a typical year, the Fourth of July festivities include a parade through the Village area. This year, “favorite July 4th Parade participants” will join PAPA for the celebration: “We’ll make sure to keep that Palisades hometown feel that’s unique to our community.”

“We’ve also been in discussions with the Santa Monica July 4th Parade organization about how Palisadian representatives can participate in their event,” PAPA wrote. “We look forward to sharing more information with you soon.”

This year’s celebration will be open “only to Palisadians, their friends and family.” The event will require registration in advance to obtain “complimentary tickets,” which will start in June.

“We’ll have time to see our neighbors and friends, check-in with each other, reminisce and make plans to see each other again,” PAPA wrote. “Most importantly, we’ll celebrate raising up Pacific Palisades and returning stronger than ever.”

Like it has for the past 47 years, Fourth of July will begin with the Palisades Will Rogers Run—but this time, it is being planned as a 5K run and walk at 7 a.m., as well as Kids’ Fun Run at 8 a.m., in Venice.

“The Palisades Will Rogers 5 & 10K Run Foundation and its Presenting Sponsor St. John’s Health Center/Providence are doing everything they can to support the recovery effort in the aftermath of the unprecedented fire,” race organizers wrote. “Although the fire destruction and residues have made it unfeasible to hold the event at our traditional location, we are holding a 5K Run and Kids’ Fun Run at Venice Beach this year. We look forward to neighbors and friends joining us to celebrate all that makes the Palisades such a special community, and enjoy a healthful start to the 4th of July in a safe environment.”

Race proceeds this year will go toward rebuilding the “Pacific Palisades Park and Community Center,” as the “Palisades centerpiece for neighbors of all ages to gather and recreate together.” Signups for the run are now open.