OCEANSIDE -- Marching bands, high-kicking karate students and scores of other performers will show off their skills and celebrate the city's patriotic spirit Saturday in Oceanside's annual Freedom Days Parade.

An estimated 10,000 spectators are expected to line the streets from 10 a.m. to noon to watch the pageant of color, which is co-hosted by the city and the MainStreet Oceanside organization.

"Landmarks of America" is the theme for this year's parade, which will feature more than 100 entries, ranging from military and school marching bands, to pageantry and color guard teams, cars hosted by local businesses, Scout and dance troupes, marching veterans and faith-based groups.

This year's parade grand marshal is Alex Kapitanski, better known as "The Flagman," a highly decorated World War II veteran who has made it his mission in life to provide and post flags for military, Scout, graduation and presidential celebrations for more than 70 years (he started presenting flags as an 11-year-old Boy Scout and has presented at more than 35,000 events since then).

Kapitanski has set up flag displays in almost all 50 states as well as at the retirement of the USS Midway, the memorial to honor New York firefighters who died on 9/11, and annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day events.

Also featured in this year's parade will be the Wells Fargo Bank stagecoach, which will carry a local military family. Among the marching musical entertainment will be the First Marine Division Marching Band, the 4th Infantry Marching Band, the El Camino High School Golden Pride Marching Band and the Oceanside High School Pirate Marching Band and Color Guard.

The parade route begins at 10 a.m. in front of the 101 Cafe at North Coast Highway and Wisconsin Avenue and will progress north on Coast Highway to City Hall at Civic Center Drive. The first parade entries should reach City Hall around 10:30 a.m. All downtown parking lots will be open, but parking time limits will be enforced for street parking. Call 760-754-4512.