Parade 1:30 – 3:30pm

The 58th annual parade begins at 1:30 p.m. and travels west on Torrance Boulevard from Crenshaw Boulevard to Madrona Avenue, ending at about 3:30 p.m.

The parade is part of a three-day celebration from Friday through Sunday honoring the men and women of the nation’s armed forces.

The United States Air Force Band Of The Golden West Armed Forces Day Concert will be presented at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Friday at the James Armstrong Theatre.

The Torrance Armed Forces Day 5K Run/Walk Saturday is from 8-9:30 a.m. at Del Amo Fashion Center’s Madrona Ave.

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, and staff is expecting a similar turnout this year.

The year 2017 marks the 58th year that the City of Torrance has hosted an Armed Forces Day Celebration to honor the nation’s military.  Torrance’s celebration lasts from Friday, May 19, 2017 through Sunday, May 21, 2017.

On Saturday, May 20, 2017, 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.

This year’s celebration honors the United States Air Force.

Besides the Parade highlight, the community can enjoy other festivities during the 58th 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 aircrafts, vehicles, support equipment may be viewed at the Del Amo Fashion Center parking lot just east of the Lifestyle Wing, on Friday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, May 20 from 3 pm. to 8 p.m., and on Sunday, May 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A free concert will be held on May 19 at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive. For tickets, contact the Box Office: 310-781-7171. The Box Office will open at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17 and tickets can be picked up for either concert. The tickets are free and are on a first come, first served 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 will be made available to their patrons.

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."