Carpinteria rang in the Fourth of July holiday a week early, celebrating with the city’s annual Independence Day Parade and Rods & Roses car show on Saturday.

The 29th annual Rods & Roses car show featuring classic cars came first, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The parade began at 3:30 p.m., emceed by Siena Kelly and KEYT’s John Palminteri.

Twelve-year-old Soleil Perry sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” before dozens of cars, bikes and walkers slowly made their way down Linden Avenue.

“It’s done like no other city in the United States of America, probably one of the cutest little beach towns in all of Southern California. You can’t duplicate it anywhere, right?” Palminteri said.

Excitement was high as families waved flags and cheered on their favorite entries that went by, from the Carpinteria Library, to the Kinderkirk Preschool, to the Pickleball group, to the Carpinteria High School cheerleaders and football players.

“Today, the kindergarten invites you to act like a preschooler. Be independent, be kind, and leave a little sparkle wherever you go,” Kelly said.

The parade’s grand marshal was Dr. Jim Campos, a homegrown Carpinterian who took the honor earlier this year of 2025 Carpinterian of the Year.

Campos was recognized for his extensive contributions to the city. He served with the Carpinteria Unified School District for more than 30 years until he retired in 2006.

Campos “championed” early childhood learning, built the language immersion program, and helped “generations of local students,” Palminteri said. “But ask anyone in town who keeps our history, and they’ll say, ‘Dr. Campos, our historian.'”

Carpinteria High School graduate Valeria Pulido, the 2025 Junior Carpinterian of the Year, wasn’t too far behind, waving and smiling to the crowd.

Local city representatives and elected officials also rode in the parade and attended Saturday’s festivities, including city of Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte, First District Supervisor Roy Lee and Carpinteria City Manager Michael Ramirez, among others.

More Fourth of July celebrations are planned across the county next week. Check back with Noozhawk on Tuesday for a full list.