Fourth of July South Bay Events

Although the 4th of July falls on a Wednesday this year, the South Bay has a full calendar of events for the holiday. With a weather forecast in the 70’s, the beaches are sure to be full this week.

Hermosa Beach will be holding it’s 44th annual Ironman competition on Wednesday, in which participants must run a mile, paddleboard a mile, and drink (and keep down) a 6-pack of beer. The event begins around 9:00 a.m., and costs $20 to enter. Each participant must bring his or her own surfboard and 6-pack to compete. Police officers will be on hand to watch over the event, as drinking is normally illegal on the beach in Hermosa. As has occurred in previous years, fines for having alcohol on the beach (if not participating in the Ironman competition) are expected to triple.

Fireworks shows will be held in Torrance, El Segundo, San Pedro, Carson, and Marina Del Rey, most beginning around 9:00 p.m. Many residents were upset by the news that the Torrance Beach fireworks show would be held July 1st, instead of on the 4th as usual. To make matters worse, the RAT Beach fireworks, also scheduled for the 4th, were cancelled at the last moment. A local family previously hosted the privately funded fireworks show off the coast of RAT Beach but planned on retiring the tradition after the family’s matriarch passed away. Although a local business stepped forward to fund the show, a last minute increase in fees by the city resulted in the show’s cancellation.

South Bay residents are advised that private fireworks are illegal in many South Bay cities. These cities include Redondo Beach, El Segundo, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes, San Pedro, and Torrance. Certain types of fireworks are legal and sold in the cities of Carson, Gardena, Hawthorne, Inglewood, and Lawndale. Those who partake in illegal fireworks may face a fine of $500 or more and/or a year in jail upon conviction for violating fireworks laws.