Check out our OC photographers’ favorite images from July 2023

A diver executes a dive off the platform as other divers watch and wait their turn to dive during the USA Diving Junior National Championships at the Marguerite Aquatic Complex in Mission Viejo on Sunday, July 23, 2023. Over 600 of the top junior divers from across the country will be competing in in four events and three age groups July 23-August 1. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Brandi Pucella works on a painting during the Great Plein Air Art Experience class at Crystal Cove State Beach in Newport Beach, CA on Tuesday, July 25, 2023. The Crystal Cove Conservancy offers classes twice a week through the summer. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fair goers react the Disko ride begins to move during a night at the OC Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fair goers ride on the Raptor roller coaster under the rising moon as night falls over during OC Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A couple takes leisurely nighttime ride bast on the Sky Ride during the 2023 OC Fair at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday, July 30, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Lilly Valdovinos takes a picture of Brooke Kaseff, left, and Grace McDoniel under the pier in Huntington Beach, CA, on Friday, June 30, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Orange County Boy Scouts carrying a large American flag make the turn from Pacific Coast Highway on to Main Street in Huntington Beach during the 119th Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Thousands watch the fireworks show during the 28th Annual 3rd of July Celebration at Grijalva Park in Orange on Monday, July 3, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Deanne Niedziela reacts as she is gets a “clap out” while leaving Providence Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, CA, on Monday, July 3, 2023. Niedziela, executive director of nursing at the hospital, suffered extensive spinal injuries in May after a tree fell on her in Costa Rica. She is leaving the hospital and heading to a specialty facility in Colorado. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Stan Fine shows off his costume during the Village Independence Day golf cart parade in Laguna Woods on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Goalie Damian Clara tries to stop a shot by Leo Carlsson during the teams’ development camp at Great Park Ice in Irvine, CA on Thursday, July 6, 2023. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A surfer ducks as a wave breaks over him at the Wedge early Friday morning, July 7, 2023, in Newport Beach. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dog owners entice their dogs to ruin during practice for the 26th running of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, CA, on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hundreds of participants in the Newport Beach Junior Lifeguard program run down the beach and into the water at the start of a buoy swim near the Balboa Pier on Ben Carlson Day in Newport Beach on Thursday, July 6, 2023. Carlson, a Newport Beach lifeguard, died saving a swimmer during a big swell in 2014. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Supervisor Omar Sanchez gives an ox a bath at Centennial Farm at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, CA on Friday, July 7, 2023. The OC Fair runs July 14 to August 13. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Davide Cambria, 5, paddles in the lake at Adventure Playground in Huntington Central Park in Huntington Beach, CA, on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. The playground reopened this summer after a prolonged drought kept it closed longer than expected. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People ride bikes along the path at Huntington State Beach a day after the July 4th holiday in Huntington Beach, CA. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Rowdy gets some air as she practices for the 26th running of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at Los Alamitos Race Course in Cypress, CA, on Monday, July 10, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Audrey Holm, part of the Hufflepuff house, makes a magic potion at Harry Potter Camp at Oak Canyon Nature Center in Anaheim, CA on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Campers did all things Harry Potter including making magic wands, potions and playing quidditch. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Heidi Knight, a staff member at the Shea Center in San Juan Capistrano, gives Choco, a therapy horse, a kiss during a retirement farewell gathering at the Shea Center in San Juan Capistrano on Friday, July 7, 2023. Choco was rescued in July 2021 by members of Orange County Fire Authority from Station 56 in Rancho Mission Viejo, after he fell into a ravine and is being retired and leaving to a ranch in Fallbrook. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Danny Elfman rehearses with his band in Los Angeles, CA, on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. The rehearsal is ahead of show “From Boingo to Batman to Big Mess and Beyond!” shows at FivePoint Amphitheatre in Irvine on Aug. 5 and North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre in Chula Vista on Aug. 3. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Julie Tremaine, a writer with SF Gate, hugs Baymax as Hiro Hamada stands by, from the movie Big Hero 6, during a media preview for San Fransokyo Square in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, July 14, 2023. San Fransokyo Square is taking over the former Pacific Wharf area of Disney California Adventure. It’s slated to be complete in August 31, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Homes in the Rolling Park Villas neighborhood slowly slide down a hill in Rolling HIlls Estates, CA, on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Isabella Gonzalez, 11, of Fullerton cools off at Make a Healthy Splash at the OC Fair in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. With its proximity to the coast and somewhat cooler temperatures, fair goers take to the rides and fun things to do and see on a hot summer day as temperatures throughout Southern California continue to heat up areas inland for a second week hitting the upper 90’s and over 100 degrees in many areas. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Cynthia Peck, owner of Angelo & Vinci’s Italian Restaurant in Fullerton on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. The popular restaurant is closing after 52 year with its last day of business will be on August 1. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Guests fill the main dining room at Angelo & Vinci’s Italian Restaurant in Fullerton on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. The popular restaurant is closing after 52 year with its last day of business will be on August 1. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Birders check out a find during a bird walk at Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Orange, CA on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. OC Parks offers the program at an area park each month. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kellie Yada of Irvine, a member of the Daion Taiko group, performs during the annual Obon festival put at the Orange County Buddhist Church in Anaheim on Sunday, July 16, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Fair goers ride the Raptor Coaster on opening day of the OC Fair in Costa Mesa on Friday, July 14, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
As the day warms up a woman and her horse cross a creek at Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Orange, CA on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A California scrub jay sits on a branch during a bird walk at Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Orange, CA on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. OC Parks offers the program at an area park each month. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A statue of Our Lady of Vang stands on a float surrounded by flowers as several thousand people walk in the rosary procession around the Christ Cathedral campus along Lewis Street during the second annual Marian Days celebration on Saturday, July 15, 2023, in Garden Grove. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Zara, a 2-year-old, Siberian husky pushes through the legs of Jimmy Ly, 26, of Westminster during the OC Animal Care’s new programs, Kennel Connection and Littles on the Lawn in Tustin on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bartender Josh Rodriquez prepares the Royal Hawaiian signature drink, the Chief Lapu Lapu cocktail at the Royal Hawaiian in Laguna Beach on Thursday, July 20, 2023. The drink, made famous in 1947 by the original co-founder, Francis Cabang, features a mix of Hamilton light and dark rums, passion fruit and orange juice. The Royal Hawaiian is on the list of the “Best Tiki Bars in Orange County.” (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Competitors start the rescue relay at the CSLSA Regional Junior Lifeguard Championships in Newport Beach, CA on Friday, July 21, 2023. The two-day event features junior lifeguards the first day and the Regional Lifeguard Championships on the second. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Isiah Sloan, 11, makes his way across a half spider web in the ropes course during summer camp at the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center at Irvine Regional Park in Orange, CA, on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Pageant of the Masters makeup director Michelle Pohl is painted as Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night as she waits to walk in the sidewalk parade of costumes at Heisler Park in Laguna Beach on Saturday, July 22, 2023. The event celebrated the 90 years of Living Pictures making its way to Main Beach, through downtown and ending at the Pageant of the Masters at the Festival of Arts grounds on Laguna Canyon Road. Some of the participants dressed up as figures in well-known works of art that have been part of the pageant. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Keenan Allen, right, a wide receiver with the Los Angeles Chargers, signs autographs for fans following the first practice of training camp at the Jack R. Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa on July 26, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Parade participants Sophie Higuchi, left, dressed as Mona Lisa and Sue Ziehmer, right, dressed as Vincent van Gogh, chat in Heisler Park in Laguna Beach before the start of the parade as the Pageant of the Masters celebrated the 90 years of Living Pictures with a sidewalk parade of costumes on Saturday, July 22, 2023. The event made its way to Main Beach, through downtown, and ended at the Pageant of the Masters at the Festival of Arts grounds on Laguna Canyon Road. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jacklyn Mitosinka, Director of Brand at Polly’s Pies, holds some of the new Burger Hand Pies at their store in Yorba Linda, CA on Thursday, July 20, 2023. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Patrons enjoy drinks at the bar at the Royal Hawaiian in Laguna Beach on Thursday, July 20, 2023. The Royal Hawaiian is on the list of the “Best Tiki Bars in Orange County.” (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Waldo gets naughty while awaiting auction at the OC Fair’s annual Junior Livestock event in Costa Mesa on Saturday, July 22, 2023. Gwen Delgado, 17, a La Habra High School student who raised the black Angus cow says the animal is like “a big loving dog.” ( Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Hector Zamora, left, of Los Angeles, takes a photo of his son, Ethan Zamora, 10, as the Los Angeles Chargers hold their first practice of training camp at the Jack R. Hammett Sports Complex in Costa Mesa on July 26, 2023. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Elle Medlin, 11, left, and Billie Goubran, 10, dance and sing along in their chairs as they listen to the song, “Revolting Children” from the “Matilda The Musical” during their musical theatre class at the 2023 Summer Acting Workshop at South Coast Reparatory in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Chris Martindale explores the mine during summer camp at the Irvine Ranch Outdoor Education Center at Irvine Regional Park in Orange, CA, on Monday, July 24, 2023. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Callisto Willis, 11, center, belts it out during vocal warmups in the musical theatre class at the 2023 Summer Acting Workshop at South Coast Reparatory in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, July 26, 2023. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Shortstop Garrett McLeod (#3) and second baseman Dylan Cappell have been solid defensively for Long Beach PONY 14U All-Stars this summer. (File photo by Joseph Kling)

We asked our photographers to pick their favorite images from July 2023, and here are some they selected.

Summer finally arrived as July heated up and people hit the beaches – the theme of the month was traditions.

Fourth of July lit up the sky, but not before Huntington Beach held it’s 119th Independence Day Parade, the self-proclaimed, “biggest Fourth of July Parade west of the Mississippi River.”

Another long-standing tradition reappeared in Huntington Beach: Adventure Playground, where children paddle on rafts, climb wooden forts and slip down mudslides. It reopened for the summer after being closed since 2019.

The traditions continued down the coast in Newport Beach where hundreds of participants in the city’s Junior Lifeguard program. They ran into the water at the start of a buoy swim near the Balboa Pier on Ben Carlson Day. Carlson, which honors a Newport Beach lifeguard who died saving a swimmer during a big swell in 2014.

In Costa Mesa, the OC Fair opened its doors for the 133rd time, and has already seen several sold-out days.

Tradition circled the race track in Cypress as dachshunds competed in the 26th running of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at the Los Alamitos Race Course.

Both Los Angels football teams, The Rams and The Chargers, opened their traditional training camps, welcome fans to see their favorite players.

And, down in Laguna Beach, an almost century-old tradition continued as enthusiasts turned out in droves to celebrate the Pageant of the Masters’ 90th season by taking part in a lively and colorful parade through the downtown. The parade, which welcomed festival revelers to dress up as their favorite artists or works of art, was a nod to the pageant’s very first living pictures parade in 1933, which took place during the Festival of Arts’ second year.

Check out the photos and follow The Orange County Register on Facebook and Instagram. Here are our staff photographers’ individual pages: Paul Bersebach, Jeff Gritchen, Leonard Ortiz, Mark Rightmire, and Mindy Schauer.

Stay safe and stay healthy!