City of Torrance, CA
12/04/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 12/04/2025 17:39
Press Release - Torrance City Council Approves New Reimagined Concept for 2026 Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration
Torrance, Calif., December 4, 2025 - In a dynamic step forward, the Torrance City Council embraced a modernized concept for the 64th Annual Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration, approving a new concept that relocates the event to the Torrance Municipal Airport.
This landmark decision reflects the City's commitment to innovation and its willingness to embrace a new vision for one of Torrance's most beloved traditions. While honoring the longstanding legacy of the parade, the new format introduces expanded community participation, including school bands, youth service groups, veterans' organization, Reserved Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) members, and local nonprofits, ensuring the spirit of celebration remains strong and inclusive.
The entire three-day celebration will be held at Zamperini Field located at 3301 Airport Drive from May 15-17, 2026. The updated program will feature an aircraft and military vehicle exhibit, a 5K hosted by the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, community booths, and family activities all within the airport grounds. This option also features an evening dignitary banquet, with the venue to be announced. Enhanced recruitment and community outreach opportunities will also be available for public safety and military agencies. The parade itself will follow a unique route along the airport runway, creating a memorable experience while providing a safe and controlled environment for participants and spectators.
This new direction follows the Armed Forces Day Special Standing Committee meeting held on July 1, 2025, where the Committee reviewed the 2025 event and offered recommendations for improving sustainability, participation, and public engagement. In response, City staff developed four planning options, each designed to address rising costs, operational demands, and logistical challenges experienced in recent years. These options were presented to the City Council at the December 2, 2025 City Council meeting under Agenda Item 10C. After reviewing the Committee's input and staff presentation, the Council adopt the all-inclusive airport model by majority vote.
City staff has already begun meeting with involved departments to launch the extensive logistics and coordination required to bring this new vision to life. Torrance Transit has committed to providing park-and-ride services during the event from designated locations across the City including the Regional Transit Center, ensuring easy, convenient access for residents and visitors.
In addition to offering a dynamic and cohesive program, the approved option represents the lowest overall cost, with an estimated total of $191,252. Consolidating all activities into one venue will reduce the need for extensive street closures, barricades, and large-scale public safety deployments, while enhancing safety and operational efficiency. The City is confident that this forward-thinking approach will strengthen the Armed Forces Day tradition for years to come.
Event updates and additional information will be made available at www.TorranceCA.Gov/AFD.
This landmark decision reflects the City's commitment to innovation and its willingness to embrace a new vision for one of Torrance's most beloved traditions. While honoring the longstanding legacy of the parade, the new format introduces expanded community participation, including school bands, youth service groups, veterans' organization, Reserved Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) members, and local nonprofits, ensuring the spirit of celebration remains strong and inclusive.
The entire three-day celebration will be held at Zamperini Field located at 3301 Airport Drive from May 15-17, 2026. The updated program will feature an aircraft and military vehicle exhibit, a 5K hosted by the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, community booths, and family activities all within the airport grounds. This option also features an evening dignitary banquet, with the venue to be announced. Enhanced recruitment and community outreach opportunities will also be available for public safety and military agencies. The parade itself will follow a unique route along the airport runway, creating a memorable experience while providing a safe and controlled environment for participants and spectators.
This new direction follows the Armed Forces Day Special Standing Committee meeting held on July 1, 2025, where the Committee reviewed the 2025 event and offered recommendations for improving sustainability, participation, and public engagement. In response, City staff developed four planning options, each designed to address rising costs, operational demands, and logistical challenges experienced in recent years. These options were presented to the City Council at the December 2, 2025 City Council meeting under Agenda Item 10C. After reviewing the Committee's input and staff presentation, the Council adopt the all-inclusive airport model by majority vote.
City staff has already begun meeting with involved departments to launch the extensive logistics and coordination required to bring this new vision to life. Torrance Transit has committed to providing park-and-ride services during the event from designated locations across the City including the Regional Transit Center, ensuring easy, convenient access for residents and visitors.
In addition to offering a dynamic and cohesive program, the approved option represents the lowest overall cost, with an estimated total of $191,252. Consolidating all activities into one venue will reduce the need for extensive street closures, barricades, and large-scale public safety deployments, while enhancing safety and operational efficiency. The City is confident that this forward-thinking approach will strengthen the Armed Forces Day tradition for years to come.
Event updates and additional information will be made available at www.TorranceCA.Gov/AFD.
City of Torrance, CA published this content on December 04, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 04, 2025 at 23:39 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]