With grace and beauty

Here she comes.

Miss America.

Katie Stam, Miss America 2009, will be the grand marshal of this year’s Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade.

This will be the first Surf City parade in its 105 years that has been graced by a reigning queen.

The parade marks the city’s 100th anniversary, and will feature a number of special touches to highlight the celebration.

“The fireworks show is going to be longer this year, because of the centennial,” parade representative Connie Young said. “Also, parts of the centennial float that were in the Rose Parade have been preserved, and will be on the city float.”

At the Boeing plant, employees are readying their 1951 Van Pelt fire engine, which they will load up with employees and their children to ride in the parade.

The vintage engine was originally purchased by one of the employees’ fathers to restore. When the man died, the employees took over the renovation, and debuted it to the employee and his mother. They then inaugurated it at the 2002 Fourth of July Parade.

Miss America 2009 will serve as the grand marshal of this year’s parade as part of her year-long agenda of appearances.

“We are thrilled Miss America 2009 Katie Stam will grace our parade and festivities,” Patricia Stier, parade director said.

“She will lead the 300-entry parade on what will be a special day for Huntington Beach and a tribute to the city’s centennial celebration.”

“Miss America is such a huge draw, so we’re really excited,” Young said.

“She’s certainly a breath of fresh air.”

Other parade VIPs include Corporal Terry Knight of the California National Guard; local surfer Robert August, who starred in “The Endless Summer;” and Nickelodeon star Nathan Kress, from “iCarly.”

A highlight of this year’s parade will be its community grand marshals — nearly three dozen Huntington Beach residents who have lived in the city since its early days. Representatives from the group will ride in the parade, while their fellow grand marshals are given VIP seating for the event.