Joselin Haro waves a flag from the window of her parent's 1962 Impala in a long chain of cars from Watsonville Riders in the Spirit of Watsonville Fourth of July parade Thursday. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

Thousands of people lined the main streets of Watsonville and Aptos Thursday to watch the parades that have become a tradition stretching back decades.

The Spirit of Watsonville parade kicked off at 12:30pm, two hours after the Worlds Shortest Parade, which takes place in Aptos on Soquel Avenue in Mid-County.

Spirit of Watsonville Photos by Tarmo Hannula

Early day VW Beetles, decked out with special accouterments, roll along Main Street.
The Diamond Damsels add to the early day stylish flare with a 1962 Corvair convertible sedan.
Watsonville Fire Capt. Almita Schaefer (right) waves from a fire rig in the company of her mother Gloria Martinez.
Watsonville Community Band was one of the first groups to march down Main Street and set an upbeat tone.
There was no shortage of fine horsemanship in Watsonville’s parade.
Vintage fire trucks tote various groups into the parade.
Heavily modified cars work their way along Main Street.
Scores of vintage cars made their way into the parade.
Folkloric dancers dazzle the crowds with their performance of colorful dances from Mexico.
Watsonville Police Chief Jorge Zamora drives an early day patrol car in the parade.
A person dressed as a banana slug, the mascot for UC Santa Cruz, is part of the parade fun.
Thousands of people lined Main Street. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian

Worlds Shortest Parade, Aptos Photos by Todd Guild

A girl gazes at the passing participants
People atop a Watsonville Fire engine wave to the crowd.
The Digbeats play for the crowd.
A player from the Aptos All-Stars Little League team shoots bubbles at the spectators.
The event drew thousands of people who filled the sidewalks along Soquel Drive
A patriotic baby watches the fun
Agricultural History Project CEO John Kegebein drives a vintage tractor.
Two hot dogs enjoy a ride on a shaded wagon.
Costumes ranged from silly to zany.
Santa Cruz County Supervisor Zach Friend and his son wave to the crowd.
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Todd Guild
General assignment reporter, covering nearly every beat. I specialize in feature stories, but equally skilled in hard and spot news. Pajaronian/Good Times/Press Banner reporter honored by CSBA. https://pajaronian.com/r-p-reporter-honored-by-csba/
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