Events

Armed Forces Day Celebration

Our nation’s men and women of the military forces have defended our country, insured our freedom, and upheld the beliefs and principles that this great nation was built on. Each year, the City of Torrance continued its long-standing tradition in its 60th consecutive year of hosting an Armed Forces Day Celebration and Parade to honor the sacrifices of our nation’s military.

The City of Torrance is proud to help honor and thank the men and women of our nation’s Armed Forces!

Facts and Information

• Torrance is one of few cities nationwide sanctioned by the Department of Defense to honor our Armed Forces through an annual Armed Forces Day Parade & Celebration.

• Torrance’s Armed Forces Day Parade has the distinction of being the nation’s longest running military parade sponsored by any city.

• Last year’s celebration brought approximately 60,000 people to crowd the Parade route.

• The year 2019 marks the 60th year that the City of Torrance will host an Armed Forces Day Celebration to honor the nation’s military.  Torrance’s celebration takes place the third weekend in May, and lasts from Friday through Sunday.

• The 60th Annual Armed Forces Day Parade will take place Saturday, May 18, 2019. The parade begins at 1:30 p.m. at Crenshaw Boulevard and travels one-mile west on Torrance Boulevard to Madrona Avenue.  It ends approximately at 3:30 p.m.

• Each year, the City of Torrance identifies one branch of the military – the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, or Coast Guard – as the “honored service” of the Armed Forces Day Celebration.  A high-ranking member of the honored service is invited to serve as Grand Marshal. The 2019 celebration honors the Navy.

• Besides the Parade highlight, the community can enjoy other festivities during the 60th Annual City of Torrance Armed Forces Day Parade & Celebration, including military exhibits and a free concert by a band from the military.

• Military exhibits on display, including aircraft, vehicles, support equipment may be viewed at the Del Amo Fashion Center parking lot just east of the Lifestyle Wing. Dates and times to be announced later.

• Two free concerts are typically held at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on the Friday of celebration weekend at the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive. Information to be announced at a later date.

• Navy Band Southwest: The City of Torrance celebrates their 60^h Annual Armed Forces Day with their annual military concert.  This year, the Navy Band Southwest, which is one of the Navy’s finest and oldest continuing musical organizations, will perform at this very special concert. Free admission but tickets are required.  Seats are limited.  Tickets will be passed out starting at 1 p.m. on a first come – first served basis on Wednesday, May 15th.
• Ceremonial Band: The 45-member organization calls upon its Ceremonial Band for the majority of its work. The band’s other performing ensembles include the Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, SeaBreeze, the band’s reception combo, Brass and Woodwind Quintets, 32nd Street Brass Band, and the popular music group ensemble the Destroyers.

• The Torrance legacy of the Armed Forces Day celebration began under the leadership of Mayor Albert Isen in 1960 and has grown throughout the years to be considered a Southern California tradition. According to Mayor Isen, the parade was to “increase public respect and understanding for military service and promote civic-military relationships.”

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FRIDAY, MAY 17th

Military Exhibits – 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Military exhibits including aircrafts, vehicles and support equipment will be on display outside the Life Style Wing in the east parking lot, which is located along Madrona Ave., at the Del Amo Fashion Center.

Concert – 1:30 PM and 7:30 PM

The Navy Band will perform for FREE at the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive. Tickets will be available at the Box Office on Wednesday, May 15th, beginning at 1:00 PM.  The tickets are free and are available on a first-come first-serve basis. There is a limit of four (4) tickets per adult. Ticket holders must be in their seats 15 minutes prior to show time or the seat(s) will be made available to other patrons. The Box Office phone number is 310.781.7171.

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SATURDAY, MAY 18th

5K Run/Walk – 6:30 AM – Registration / 8:00 AM – Race Start

This 4^th annual race, in tribute to Louis Zamperini, will begin at 8:00 AM at the Del Amo Fashion Center on Madrona Avenue.  The race is open to all ages. Entry fee is $40. Village Runner is race headquarters. Information and registration can be obtained by visiting www.villagerunner.com or www.Torrance5k.com. The race will feature split timers every mile, computerized finish times, water stations, sponsored refreshments and T-shirts.

Parade: 60th Annual Armed Forces Day Parade – 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM

The 60th Annual Armed Forces Day Parade begins at Crenshaw Blvd. traveling west on Torrance Blvd. and ending at Madrona Ave.  All streets intersecting the parade route will be closed the majority of the day.

Military Exhibits – 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Military exhibits including aircrafts, vehicles and support equipment will be on display outside the Life Style Wing in the east parking lot at the Del Amo Fashion Center.

Some equipment will be gone for the Parade.

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SUNDAY, MAY 19th

Military Exhibits – 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Military exhibits including aircrafts, vehicles and support equipment will be on display outside the Life Style Wing in the east parking lot at the Del Amo Fashion Center.

Come gather along the parade route and cheer for our sons, daughters, husbands, wives, friends and neighbors who have been called to duty in defense of our nation’s beliefs and principles and to secure a more peaceful world.

Additional information:

ROAD / STREET CLOSURES & TIMES

7:00 AM – Madrona Ave. between Carson St. & Torrance Blvd. (including all east and west side streets between Carson St. & Torrance Blvd.)

7:00 AM – Maple Ave. between Torrance Blvd. & California St. (including Maricopa St. and Civic Center Dr.)

7:00 AM – Torrance Blvd. between Crenshaw Blvd. and Madrona Ave. (including all north and south side streets between Crenshaw Blvd. and Madrona Ave.)

9:00 AM – All entry ways into Civic Center complex off Torrance Blvd., Madrona Ave., Maple Ave. and Civic Center Drive

11:00 AM – Torrance Blvd. between Western and Crenshaw Blvd. (including all north and south side streets between Van Ness and Crenshaw)

– Crenshaw Blvd. between Del Amo Blvd. and Carson St.

11:00 AM – Cravens Ave. between Torrance Blvd. & Engracia

12:00 PM – Northbound Madrona Ave. between Torrance Blvd. & Emerald Ave. – Southbound Madrona Ave. between Del Amo Blvd. and Torrance Blvd.

12:30 PM – Southbound Madrona Ave./Prairie Ave. between 190th St. and Del Amo Blvd.

SUGGESTED ROUTES

Crenshaw Blvd. alternate north and south routes use Hawthorne Blvd. or Western Ave.  Torrance Blvd. alternate east and west routes use Artesia Blvd., 182nd St., 190th St., Sepulveda Blvd. or Carson St.

TORRANCE TRANSIT BUS LINES:

Lines #1 and #2 will be affected on Saturday, May 18, 2019, starting at 7:00 AM.  Lines #5 and #10 will be affected starting at 11:00 AM.  Affected streets include: Torrance Blvd., Madrona Ave., Crenshaw Blvd., and Fashion Way.

PARKING:

Saturday, May 18, 2019

Neighborhood parking is available for the Parade.