Hundreds of families decorated in red, white and blue traveled on wheels Sunday morning as part of the return of the Fourth of July Kids Bike Parade in Belmont Shore.

More than 500 people were registered for the parade, according to organizer Justin Rudd. The event kicked off with contests for patriotic speeches and costumes followed by the parade. Families cruised from the Granada Launch Ramp to a bike path near the shore, to around Horny Corner up to Second Street and back to the bike path. Participants were then greeted with free ice cream and bike decor awards for winning contestants.

On top of showing patriotism, Rudd said that with the end of heavy COVID-19 restrictions, “people wanna get out and wanna celebrate.”

Long Beach resident Mercedes Perezchica heard about the event in the early morning and brought her 6- and 8-year-olds to the parade on the fly. Her 6-year-old daughter said she enjoyed decorating their little bikes.

“It’s a great opportunity to do something with the kids,” Perezchica said. Especially now that spaces are reopening, she added, saying she’s happy “for them to be around other kids and people.”

Andrea Bolton came to the parade with her two sisters and 10-month-old baby boy. “He loves being outside,” she said.