Parading Down Surf City's 5th Street

For nearly 15 years, Surf City neighbors have organized an annual Fourth of July parade that this weekend drew hundreds upon hundreds of participants, a far cry from the 20 or so who came out during the event's inception.

On July 3, Surf City volunteer fire police blocked off Long Beach Boulevard and Central Avenue for the brief parade up and down 5th Street, which kicked off at 6:15 p.m. and lasted about a half-hour.

After passing from the bay side to the ocean side and back again, participants were treated to hot dogs and refreshments at the home of the Hyland family, who live on the bayside block of North 5th and have organized the event since its inception.

This year's event saw children decked out in red, white and blue, dogs donning American flag bandanas and even a man on a flag-carrying horse. For a time, the horse helped stop traffic at the Central Avenue intersection.

In addition to bringing the community together, the parade also helps raise money for the borough volunteer fire and EMS companies through donations set up near the entertainment tent.