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Leucadia locals gather to celebrate Fourth of July

ENCINITAS — Residents who live along Neptune Avenue gathered to march down their street and celebrate Independence Day together on July 4. It’s a tradition that has gone on for an estimated 18 years.
Flyers are posted in late June to remind neighbors to meet up and a “King Neptune” is selected to ride in the final float.
“It’s not officially a parade,” one resident said. “It’s a neighborhood gathering.”
This year an estimated 100 people joined in the event. Children and adults led by a costumed Statue of Liberty rode down the street on crepe paper-trimmed scooters, bikes and convertibles.
A roller skater wove in and out of fellow parade marchers and All-American wrestlers threw beaded necklaces into the crowd from their float.
Gary Hamilton marched with a group of 14 family members and friends.
“I thought it would be a lot of fun,” Hamilton said.
The parade and crowd that watches it grows each year. “It’s just an amazing thing,” Dick Rosenberger, the unofficial parade marshal, said.
During the parade spectators often join in and become part of the march as the group makes it way down Neptune Avenue. “Neptune is a great street,” Rosenberger said. “Great people jump in and make it fun.”