More than 20,000 spectators crowded the streets of downtown Newhall to catch Sunday’s Santa Clarita Valley Fourth of July Parade, an old-fashioned celebration of independence that included everyone from emergency responders to Boy Scouts — and even a visit from Santa Claus.

The parade and its theme “Movietown U.S.A.” drew some 2,000 people who entered, representing businesses, community organizations and local leaders. It was the Santa Clarita Valley’s 78th nearly-annual such event.

It was also the second year in a row that the parade stepped out at 9 a.m., rather than 10 a.m. The earlier hour, combined with unseasonably cool weather and the day of the week, may have contributed to the slightly more sparse attendance than usual.

By Sunday night the crowds had flocked to Valencia and the two other areas where fireworks were on display. Families lined the roads around the Westfield Valencia Town Center well before the show was due to begin, some snuggled in sleeping bags or blankets.

On Sunday night, a Sheriff’s Department official said deputies were responding to dozens of calls about illegal fireworks. A one-acre fire behind Deersprings Drive in Saugus was doused by Los Angeles County Fire in the evening, according to Fire Inspector Matt Levesque.

‘Patchwork that we are’
Each entry in the parade celebrated Independence Day and the “Movietown U.S.A.” theme in its own way.

The SCV Tea Party Patriots honored America’s founding fathers with a float that included a huge Liberty Bell and people dressed up as Betsy Ross, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin.

Supporters of the Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center sported the costumes of old Hollywood actors like Charlie Chaplin. On the outside of their trailer was the phrase “Seniors are Classics.”

The Lazy Boys of Santa Clarita cruised down Main Street in their motorized recliners and won the Do-Dah Style award. Even Santa Claus made an appearance in “Santa’s Turbo Sleigh.”

An actor dressed as William S. Hart was the grand marshal, celebrating the Santa Clarita Valley’s long history of filming that began in the era of silent movies.

The Western film actor, who died more than 60 years ago, was memorialized earlier this year when the United States Postal Service put his face on a stamp as part of its “Cowboys of the Silver Screen” collection.

Many of the floats included members of the armed forces, who were met with applause, salutes and standing ovations from spectators. The Prayer Angels for the Military float won the parade’s sweepstakes trophy.

Thousands of families set up their chairs and coolers on the breezy Sunday morning to kick off their holiday celebrations.

Debra and Dave Warren of Valencia were enjoying the parade and its small-town atmosphere. They brought their dog, Cooper, for the first time.

The couple said they look forward every year to the patriotism the parade stirs in the community.

“We forget what’s in our community, and (the parade) reminds us of the patchwork that we are,” Debra Warren said.

Morris Anderson III of Lancaster watched the parade for the first time with his family.

The festivities were a way to honor soldiers and America’s leaders.

“We live in a great country and we are free to come and go as we please,” he said.

Hollywood visits Santa Clarita
The parade also included a few of Hollywood’s trainers and specialists.

Maria and Jay T. Rockwell showcased their Hollywood Trick Horses, winning the Grand Equestrian Trophy. The couple from Sherman Oaks spent years training horses for the movie industry. They also won the Open Mounted Group category.

Their horses do tricks like bowing, laying down and even taking a cowboy’s hat from his head, Maria Rockwell said.

“A lot of people don’t know that horses can do tricks, especially young kids,” Maria Rockwell said.

Phil Spangenberger, who rode with the Friends of Hart Park, has spent 20 years training actors how to use firearms safely.

He has his wife, Linda, won the award for Best Western Man and Best Western Woman, respectively.

“I’ve worked with some of the top names and they’ve turned out to be really good people to work with,” said Spangenberger, a Leona Valley resident.

His clients have included Mel Gibson and Charlton Heston, he said.

“We hope that people will realize that the West was a real place,” he said. “It’s not just special effects in the movies.”

Still, he added, “I think the big thrill is to see it on the big screen and how cool it looks.”