Marine parade in San Clemente: Arrive early, organizers say

Organizers of Thursday's parade in San Clemente to welcome the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment back from Afghanistan have a word of advice for spectators: Arrive early, because downtown parking will be hard to find.

The parade starts at 10 a.m., but Avenida Del Mar and the 100 block of Avenida Cabrillo will be blocked off from 6 a.m. to noon, which will create a crimp not only for parade spectators but for people arriving to work at downtown businesses and for potential shoppers.

Marines play volleyball as San Clemente and the Chamber of Commerce put on a picnic Friday at Camp Pendleton to honor the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, fresh off deployment to Afghanistan. San Clemente will host a downtown parade Thursday to welcome the troops home.

COURTESY OF BOB OLSEN

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Also, El Camino Real between Avenida Palizada and Avenida Presidio will be closed from 9 a.m. to noon.

See a map of the parade route at right.

Wayne Eggleston, a former San Clemente mayor who is chief organizer of the parade, advises people to arrive early to await the parade.

Eggleston said he is expecting up to 700 Marines from the 2/4, plus the 1st Marine Division band, members of the?2/4 Association and city officials. They will proceed from the top of Avenida Del Mar down to Park Semper Fi at 106 Alameda Lane for an 11 a.m. ceremony with music by the Marine band. Park Semper Fi overlooks the San Clemente Pier and is home to the city's Marine Monument.

SEE A SLIDESHOW HERE OF A BARBECUE HONORING THE 2/4 AT CAMP PENDLETON.

Eggleston said the parade is a chance for the public to let the returning Marines know they are appreciated. San Clemente "adopted" the 2/4 in 1996.

Eggleston appeared before the City Council at its meeting Tuesday night, saying he hopes local businesses will let employees take time off to line the sidewalks for the parade. He also has approached principals at local schools about letting students miss class to attend.

"It's something we want to bring everybody in San Clemente out for," Eggleston said.

Contact the writer: fswegles@ocregister.com or 949-492-5127

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