Malibu celebrates with parades and multiple fireworks displays.
By Carly Erickson / The Malibu Times
Stifling hot weather inland brought more than 700,000 people to Malibu’s beaches during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, which is about 500,000 more than last year.
The Los Angeles County Lifeguard Service reported that 708,900 visitors came to Malibu’s beaches this year, with about 245,000 beachgoers visiting on July 4 alone.
Last year, only 177,500 came to Malibu’s beaches during the Independence Day weekend. The low number was partially attributed to cooler temperatures. In 2009, about 500,000 beachgoers came to Malibu during the holiday weekend.
“As far as attendance, this is a higher attendance weekend than we’ve had in recent years,” Lifeguard Capt. Brent Katzer said. “Parking lots were full by noon on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.”
During the course of the weekend, Zuma Beach was the busiest, seeing the highest number of visitors.
The busy weekend was brought on in part by the recent heat wave. During the three-day weekend, average inland temperatures were in the 90s, while the heat in the valleys surpassed 100 degrees. Due to inland heat, coastal temperatures reached the 70s and 80s.
“[We had] above average weather, Katzer said.
The first week in July marks the first week of the summer schedule period for lifeguards.
“[This was] the best first week we’ve had in a while,” Katzer said.
On Monday morning, many locals participated in the 12th annual Point Dume 4th of July parade. A multitude of patriotic outfits were worn by adults and children alike. Numerous participants were either riding their bicycles or driving decorative autos and golf carts. The parade route started at Birdview Avenue and ended at Point Dume Marine Science Elementary School on Fernhill Drive.
Families and participants were able to enjoy burgers, hot dogs and teriyaki chicken, while musical guests Tyler Alexis, Scott Hosfeld and Maria Newman, of Montgomery Arts House for Music and Architecture, performed various patriotic tunes.
The parade was put together by the Point Dume Community Association, the Grahek family, the Carpenter Family, the Cole Family, Dana Christiaansen and many members of the community.
In addition to daytime beachgoers, locals and visitors packed Malibu’s shores Monday night to watch fireworks displays in celebration of 235 years of American independence at Paradise Cove Beach, Surfrider Beach and Carbon Beach.
In terms of incidents, lifeguards performed 75 rescues, 157 medical assists and administered oxygen to five people. There were no fatalities during the weekend.
Of the 157 medical assists, 17 were major. A major assist is defined as “something that would potentially require the fire department’s assistance,” Katzer said. “Not a cut or anything, but something that someone of an EMT-level or higher would need to be there for.”
Lifeguards also reunited 17 lost children with their parents during the weekend.
The Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station had one report of a major incident July 4. A 36-year-old male was injured in a car accident at Piuma Road and Malibu Canyon Road, Sgt. Dan Nagelmann said. The man fractured his leg and was airlifted to a local hospital. The California Highway Patrol dealt with the incident.
Additionally, Paris Hilton’s alleged stalker, James Rainford, was arrested outside her Malibu beach home July 4. Deputies responded to a call about a suspicious person on the beach outside the residence. Rainford, 36, was arrested for being in violation of a court order that states he must stay 200 yards away from Hilton and her property at all times.