2026 Armed Forces Day Parade and CelebrationARMED FORCES DAY STANDING COMMITTEE10C BACKGROUND•July 1, 2025 - Armed Forces Day Standing Committee Met to receive after-action report on 2025 AFD Parade and Celebration.•Armed Forces Day Standing Committee discussed potential modifications to the format, duration, and venue to address challenges.A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E 2 2025 ARMED FORCES DAY EVENT RECAP•Approx. 7,600 spectators•Improved safety measures•Positive community feedback•Decline in military participation by 25-30%•Increase to $498,000 due to additional parade route security costsA R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E 3
ARMED FORCES DAY COMMITTEE VOTED TO:•Explore 1-day format & eliminate or modify low attended events;•Retain a parade component in any revised format;•Consider American Honda campus or other large sites for exhibit;•Explore a high school band competition;•Explore ticketed VIP or grandstand seating options;•Consider adding attractions like monster truck or motocross show; and•Boost ROTC participation and military engagementA R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E 4 OPTION 1: AMENDED TORRANCE BLVD. WITH TRADITIONAL PROGRAM FORMAT•Estimated Cost:•Nonwage: $275,161•Wage: $179,726•Grand Total: $454, 887•Cost Ranking: 2NDHighest5A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E
OPTION 1: AMENDED TORRANCE BLVD. WITH TRADITIONAL PROGRAM FORMAT•Details:•Friday-Sunday•Invite traditional military members and community groups•Relocate 5K & Exhibit toCity Yard orAmerican Hondaemployee parking lot -pending approval6A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E
OPTION 1: AMENDED TORRANCE BLVD. WITH TRADITIONAL PROGRAM FORMAT•Pros:•Preserves traditional format•Logistics & Operation plans exist•Easy access by foot for participants•Cons:•Heavy staffing commitment•Challenges with securingmilitary participation7A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E
OPTION 2: REIMAGINED COMMUNITY PARADE TO DOWNTOWN TORRANCE•Estimated Cost:•Nonwage: $508,102•Wage: $199,133•Grand Total: $707,236•Cost Ranking: Highest8A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E
OPTION 2: REIMAGINED COMMUNITY PARADE TO DOWNTOWN TORRANCE•Details:•Friday – Sunday•Welcome Banquet on Friday•Parade, concert, and potential drone show at El Prado Park•Pending American Honda Parking Lot for Exhibit•Staffing challenges forSaturday9A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E
OPTION 2: REIMAGINED COMMUNITY PARADE TO DOWNTOWN TORRANCE•Pros:•Strong downtown activation•Easy access by foot•Evening concert & drone show added•Cons:•Heaviest staffingcommitment•Major traffic impacts•High-cost estimate10A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E
OPTION 3: ONE DAY COMMUNITY PARADE ON SKYPARK DRIVE•Estimated Cost:•Nonwage: $117,662•Wage: $116,139•Grand Total: $233,801•Cost Ranking: 2NDLowest11A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E
OPTION 3: ONE DAY COMMUNITY PARADE ON SKYPARK DRIVE•Details: •Saturday Only•Parade route modeled after Turkey Trot•Aircraft and vehicle displays•Park & Ride option with Torrance Transit•Need to engage with Skypark Drive businesses impacted by events12A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E
OPTION 3: ONE DAY COMMUNITY PARADE ON SKYPARK DRIVE•Pros:•Smallest operational footprint•Less staffing impact•Streamlined & efficient•Cons:•Less community access by foot•Non-traditional parade format•Shifts military focus to community-oriented event13A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E
OPTION 4: MODIFIED ALL-INCLUSIVE EVENT RELOCATED TO TORRANCE AIRPORT•Estimated Cost:•Nonwage: $65,922•Wage: $125,330•Grand Total: $191,252•Cost Ranking: Lowest14A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E
OPTION 4: MODIFIED ALL-INCLUSIVE EVENT RELOCATED TO TORRANCE AIRPORT•Details:•Friday - Sunday•Exhibit, 5K, Parade, Banquet•Controlled access with on-site parking•Inside seating & grandstands planned•Temporary Airport Closure•Park & Ride option15A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E
OPTION 4: MODIFIED ALL-INCLUSIVE EVENT RELOCATED TOTORRANCE AIRPORT•Pros:•Controlled Site•Maintain traditional elements in one location•Reduced staffing and NO barricades needed•Least impact to public safety•Cons:•New Setting; Different for Public Experience•Impact Airport Operations16A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E
SUMMARY CHARTNotes# of DaysTotal CostNon-Wage Wage CostParade/5K/exhibit/ banquet3$454,887$275,161$179,726Option 1 (Traditional)Parade/5K/exhibit/drone show/ banquet3$707,236$508,102$199,133Option 2 (Downtown Torrance) * Parade/5K/exhibit1$233,801$117,662$116,139Option 3 (Skypark Drive)Parade/5K/exhibit/banquet3$191,252$65,922$125,330Option 4 (Torrance Airport)17A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E * The 2025–2027 adopted budget includes a nonwage allocation of $323,890 for the AFD Parade and Celebration; all but Option 2 fall within this budget.
STAFF RECCOMENDATION1.Accept and file the July 1, 2025 Armed Forces Day Special Standing Committee Meeting Minutes; and 2.Provide direction on preferred planning options for the 2026 Armed Forces Day Parade and Celebration.
A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E 18 Questions?
A R M E D F O R C E S D A Y S T A N D I N G C O M M I T T E E 19