Palos Verdes homes owners can enjoy the 63rd annual Armed Forces Day Parade & Celebration that will take place in Torrance, on Saturday, May 17, 2025, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States Army.
As usual, thousands are expected to attend the parade on Saturday, and the weekend celebration will begin on Friday, May 16, 2025, when a Black Hawk helicopter flies into town around 5:00 a.m. at the Del Amo Fashion Center. The 4th Infantry Division Band will perform at 7:30 p.m., at a free, but ticketed, concert at the James Armstrong Theatre. For more information regarding tickets call the box office at (310) 781-7171.
Military exhibits including aircraft, vehicles and support equipment, will be on display at the Del Amo Fashion Center all weekend, starting on Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., & Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The parade will take place on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., beginning at Crenshaw Blvd, then traveling west on Torrance Blvd and end at Madrona Ave. The parades grand marshal is Lt. Gen. Jonathan P. Braga, US Army Special Operations Command. Honorary grand marshals include Golden Globe winning actress and musician Katey Sagal, known for her roles on “Married With Children,” “Sons of Anarchy” and “Futurama,” as well as trained martial artist and actor Michael Jai White.
The Armed Forces Day Parade & Celebration is one of the few in the nation that is sanctioned by the Department of Defense to honor the military and it also has the “distinction of being the nation’s longest running military parade sponsored by any city” according to the city’s website.
The seventh annual Torrance Armed Forces Day 5K for Freedom Run/Walk, hosted by the Torrance Chamber of Commerce, will begin at the Del Amo Fashion Center at 8:00 a.m., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. World War II. Army veteran and Olympic distance runner Louis Zamperini, who had strong Torrance ties, is the honoree of the 5K race, which attracted around 1,000 attendees last year. Veterans will be honored at around 8:00 a.m., prior to the race. Those that participate in the run will be walking or running with active duty service members. The top male and female finishers will ride in the Armed Forces Day Parade. The start and finish line will be near the Black Angus restaurant, where the Rotary Club of Torrance will serve up free pancakes, and around 70 businesses will take part in an expo where they will sell different products and showcase their services. A commemorative T-shirt will be given to race participants. Registration is $45. For more information visit Torrance5K.com.
Photo courtesy of the Torrance Chamber of Commerce
