Bob Erbe of the Agricultural History Project is followed by a lifesize plastic cow in the Spirit of Watsonville Fourth of July Parade Friday in downtown Watsonville. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

Thousands of people attended Fourth of July parades in Watsonville and Aptos Friday, lining sidewalks aliog main streets to see hundreds of participants. Below is a collection of photos from both events. Photos in Watsonville are by Tarmo Hannula, and the Aptos photos are by Todd Guild.

Spirit of Watsonville

Fifteen small planes leave their trails over Main Street in Watsonville at the start of the 4th of July parade. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)
Eleven early-day VW Beetles roll along Main Street. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)
Andrea Juarezsmith is part of the Diamond Damsels. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)
Capt. Cal of Fire Fire gets a high five from Isabella, 11. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)
Huge crowds line Main Street. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)
Watsonville Mayor Maria Orozco gets a lift from City Manager Tamara Vides. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)
Over 80 horse riders entered the parade. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)
Several live bands offered flashy, upbeat Mexican banda music for the crowds. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)
City council members Ari Parker and Casey Clark are fired up to be in the parade. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)
A standard entry in the parade was the Watsonville Community Band. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)
Members of the Junior Cats Cheer were part of the excitement along Main Street. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

Aptos World’s Shortest Parade

A line of tractors from the Agricultural History Project make their way down Soquel Drive. (Todd Guild/The Pajaronian)
Members of the Aptos All Stars little league team were featured early in the parade. (Todd Guild/The Pajaronian)
Firefighters from Cal Fire walk behind several fire trucks from several diferrent agencies. (Todd Guild/The Pajaronian)
Many people waved flags and sported patriotic clothing. (Todd Guild/The Pajaronian)
An actor dressed as the Star Wars character Darth Vader interacts with a young parade-goer. (Todd Guild/The Pajaronian)
Dave Kegebein of the Agricultural History Project waves from a tractor. (Todd Guild/The Pajaronian)
Assemblywoman Dawn Addis waves to the crowd. (Todd Guild/The Pajaronian)
Young people from an art program “drive” a fire truck. (Todd Guild/The Pajaronian)
This family was one of thousands who attended the parade in Aptos. (Todd Guild/The Pajaronian)
A girl from a local 4-H program brings her goat to meet some spectators. (Todd Guild/The Pajaronian)
A girl barely clears the sunroof of a van as she waves a flag. (Todd Guild/The Pajaronian)
Santa Cruz County Supervisor Kim De Serpa was all smiles as she rode along the route. (Todd Guild/The Pajaronian)
A cheerleader rides in a Santa Cruz County Sheriff patrol car. (Todd Guild/The Pajaronian)
A woman who is part of a pug rescue organization rides with a friend.
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A staff member wrote, edited or posted this article, which may include information provided by one or more third parties.

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  1. Now more than ever, we need accurate reporting and factual information. Thank you for your hard but essential work in journalism.

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