Retired Navy Cmdr. John C. Connolly, a pilot who led hundreds of attack missions and rescued airmen, was celebrated as this year’s honored patriot in Laguna Beach’s 59th annual Patriots Day Parade.
Connolly, a resident of the city, earned two Navy Commendation Medals among a host of others, served during the Vietnam War, and later spent an additional 20 years in the Navy Reserve.
Ashlee Pixley’s miniature horse, “Pixie,” gets a kiss from Walker Gaul, 2, as his dad Chance watches during the Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The horse was part of the Mini Madness Therapy Horses and Cows group. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Laguna Beach Rotary Club’s “Grapes for Grads,” scholarship program representatives take part in the Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Honored Patriot John Connolly with the U.S. Navy is recognized in the Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Two-flag patriot Lachlan Good, 2, walks with the Pageant of the Masters group during the Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kasey Konkel and her adopted dog, Emma, walk with the “Love All Animals Rescue” group during the Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Curly Q with the Laguna Woods Senior Clown Alley, shows off her bubbly personality during the Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Finn the Shire Stallion takes part in the 2026 Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The 59th annual Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade celebrates the country’s 250 years with old cars, local groups and animals on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade-goers watch the action as old cars cruise down the street on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Singers on the The Exchange Club of Laguna Beach float fill the air with music during the Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Laguna Beach Garden Club members come ready to rake during the 2026 Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Clementine Maxton, 18 months drives her pink car with the help of her dad, David Maxton, during the Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Laguna Beach Mini Cheer group shows spirit during the Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Classic VW buses boggie down the road during the Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Long Beach High School wrestlers take part in the Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A Sawdust Art Festival car glides through the Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Laguna Beach Rotary Club’s “Grapes for Grads,” scholarship program representatives take part in the Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Laguna Beach Lawn Bowling Club members roll along during the Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The 59th annual Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade celebrates the country’s 250 years with classic cars, local groups and animals on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A patriotic pup marches in the Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Skippy, with the Laguna Woods Senior Clown Alley, spreads some happiness during the Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The 59th annual Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade celebrates the country’s 250 years with classic cars, local groups and animals on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Marchers in American Revolution military garb take part in the 2026 Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Ashlee Pixley’s miniature horse, “Pixie,” gets a kiss from Walker Gaul, 2, as his dad Chance watches during the Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The horse was part of the Mini Madness Therapy Horses and Cows group. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The parade, known among locals as an event where you either march in it or line the sidewalks with American flags to watch, included military and school bands, civic and veterans organizations, floats, vintage automobiles and novelty groups.
Citizen of the year went to Michael Lindsey, recognized for his work restoring natural landscapes and teaching schoolchildren about the benefits of nature.
Estella Newton and Zachary Menter were recognized as junior citizens of the year, David Nelson was recognized as artist of the year and Brian Lopes, a professional mountain biker, was this year’s athlete of the year.
The parade, a truly small-town event, started on Park Avenue at Laguna Beach High School, traveled down to Glenneyre Street and proceeded to Forest Avenue, where it ended up in front of City Hall.
