SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – On July 4th, 2025, the 10th annual South Lake Tahoe 4th of July Parade traveled along Highway 50, starting at 9 a.m. Filled with people dressed in our flag’s colors and patriotic music blasting on speakers, the parade honored our nation’s veterans and our country’s independence.

The parade included fire trucks from various departments throughout South Lake Tahoe and the rest of El Dorado County, local garbage trucks and companies, such as South Tahoe Refuse Services, Red Cross vehicles, and Forest Service trucks with Smokey the Bear.

Other floats and parade participants included specialty cars representing car clubs and auto body shops, Lake Tahoe Community College, the El Dorado County Sheriff and Probation Office, the Boys and Girls Club of Lake Tahoe, South Lake Tahoe High School Cheer, California Highway Patrol, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department, and more.

Heavenly Ski Resort made an appearance with signs celebrating its upcoming 70th anniversary. A notable aspect of the parade was the inclusion of war veterans in South Lake Tahoe. Veterans had signs on their cars or held signs with their names on them, and most were dressed in their military uniforms.

“My favorite part of the parade was seeing all the veterans,” said Annette Henderson, a first-time parade goer from Redwood City, Calif. “I feel like it’s important to give them recognition on this day, and I’m glad the parade took the opportunity to do so.”

The parade lasted about 45 minutes and included a parade announcer, Dave Hamilton with Sallie Ross, playing a variety of patriotic country music. The duo also introduced every float in a witty and charismatic manner while the audience cheered on local community members and businesses.

2025 Best of the Parade award winners:

Classic Auto
1st Place: Hay Dawg Farm
Runner Up: South Lake Classics

Commercial Entry
1st Place: Ever After Productions & Lake Tahoe Sleigh Rides
Runner Up: Tahoe Asphalt, Inc.

Nonprofit Entry
1st Place: Lake Tahoe Unified School District
Runner Up: Ageless Zen Circle of Giving Foundation

Youth Entry
1st Place: Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe
Runner Up: South Tahoe High School Spirit Program

Anything Goes
1st Place: The Cash Only Band
Runner Up: South Shore Showdown!

With a large turnout of South Lake Tahoe citizens and visitors, the mass display of red, white, and blue in decorations and outfits represented a theme of pride for our country. Additionally, cheers from the audience and smiles on people’s faces showed an overall excitement to celebrate the 4th of July in such a beautiful place.

“I think the parade represents our country’s pride just by the amount of people that were there, including children and adults,” said Henderson. “Also, the event’s energy. Everyone brought the outfits, the costumes. You can just tell that this is a place that really is grateful to be living in America.