Residents, visitors celebrate Independence Day weekend at Huntington Beach’s Pier Plaza

It might not have been the Fourth of July just yet, but residents and visitors were ready to celebrate Saturday in Huntington Beach.

Parents wave to their children as they enjoy themselves aboard the Kastl Amusements Spider Mania ride during Pier Plaza Festival on Saturday in Huntington Beach.

(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)

A block party held by the city kicked off the celebrations for the holiday weekend on Thursday and extended into what is now a four-day-long festival down at the Huntington Beach Pier Plaza.

A parent and her children go down the Super Slide during Pier Plaza Festival on Saturday in Huntington Beach.

(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)

The festival includes more than 70 vendors and food trucks in addition to carnival rides, games and live music.

Dozens of festival-goers walk through the vendor area during Pier Plaza Festival on Saturday.

(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)

The festival began Friday evening and runs through Monday.

Beach-goers enjoy the sunshine and ocean water on the north side of the pier on Saturday in Huntington Beach.

(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)

This is just one of the events happening in Huntington Beach this holiday weekend, which includes not only the return of the city’s Fourth of July parade but also the Surf City Run — both of which take place on Monday, along with the city’s annual fireworks show over the ocean at Huntington Beach Pier.

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