Break out the sparklers, sunscreen and American flags. The Fourth of July is upon us again, along with a bevy of ways to celebrate your independence (and, we hope, your day off).
ST. PETERSBURG
Get Downtown First Friday Music Series
Fri., July 1, 5:30 p.m.
Second Street N and Central Avenue, St. Petersburg
Start off the holiday weekend with music by Al Chisholm and the On Que Players.
4th of July Extravaganza at The Pier
Mon., July 4, 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
Phone: 727-821-6443
stpetepier.com
Rock, country, soul, even a banjo band are part of the all-day festivities on The Pier, plus interactive dance video and a comedy hypnotist. Fireworks over the Bay at 9 p.m., compliments of the City of St. Petersburg! 3-D prism glasses provided by Aveda Institute, while supplies last. www.stpetepier.com.
Light Up the Bay
Mon., July 4, 6 p.m.
Al Lang Stadium
230 First St. S., St. Petersburg
Following the pro soccer match between FC Tampa Bay and the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, fans can stick around Al Lang Stadium after the game for a great view of St. Pete's 4th of July fireworks. 4 Pack and individual tickets available. Mon., July 4, 6 p.m., Al Lang Stadium, 230 First St. S., St. Petersburg, 813-287-1539, fctampabay.com.
Fourth of July Celebration at the Museum of Fine Arts
Mon. July 4, 6 p.m.
255 Beach Dr. N.E., St. Petersburg
The party begins with the museum providing a great vantage point for the city’s fireworks display. Music by Motel Funk, art in the Hazel Hough Wing, gourmet barbecue, iced tea and soft drinks, and a champagne toast, as well as a beer/wine cash bar. $34 for MFA members and $44 for non-members. Call 727-822-1032 for reservations.
TAMPA/HILLSBOROUGH
Independence Day at Channelside
Mon., July 4, 2-10 p.m.
615 Channelside Drive, Tampa
The daylong fest includes the Tampa Bay Water Ski Show, Dragon Boat Races mini regatta, kid-friendly fun, and 20 minutes of fireworks displayed with patriotic music at 9 p.m. See fireworks from Channelside Bay Plaza,Yacht StarShip, The Florida Aquarium, Harbour Island Bayshore Boulevard, Contanchobee Park, SS American Victory Ship, Marriott Waterside Hotel, the Tampa Bay History Center and St Pete Times Forum. The TECO Line Streetcar will shuttle visitors from Ybor and Downtown. channelsidebayplaza.com.
Fireworks and Sunset Cruise on the Bay Spirit II
Mon., July 4, 7:15- 9 p.m.
The Florida Aquarium
701 Channelside Drive
Stretch out your sea legs and experience fireworks over the Channel from the Florida Aquarium’s new Ecotour boat, the Bay Spirit II. The 72-foot catamaran has large viewing windows, bar and seating, an air-conditioned lower deck and a covered second floor. The boat will embark on an intimate, two-hour sunset cruise and return to the Channel, where passengers will get a boat-side view of fireworks. There will be a full liquor cash bar, as well as light hors d’oeuvres and coffee. Tickets are $50 per person ($40 for members) and include admission to the Aquarium, parking, food and fireworks. For more information, call 813-273-4568 or visit flaquarium.org.
Extended Hours and Fireworks at the Florida Aquarium
Mon., July 4, 3- 9:30 p.m.
The Florida Aquarium
701 Channelside Drive
Take advantage of extended hours, low admission and fireworks at the Aquarium. Exhibits will be open until 9 p.m. Exterior decks and Explore a Shore will remain open until 9:30 p.m., giving visitors a front-row seat for fireworks over the Channel. Tickets are $10 for all ages. For more information, call 813-273-4568 or visit flaquarium.org.
American Victory Ship’s Annual 4th of July Family Funfest
Mon., July 4, 6-9 p.m.
705 Channelside Drive
The ship, located next to the Channelside firework barge, will offer arts and crafts projects, music, face painting, and contests and prizes for children. Mickey’s Peanuts will provide an assortment of food options, and there will be a beer and wine tent. Tickets go on sale June 1 and are $12 for adults and $7 for children 12 and under. They can be purchased at ticketweb.com, 866-468-7630, or aboard the ship.
Lutz Independence Day Parade
Mon., July 4 at 10 a.m.
Oscar Cooler Park
770 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road
What is more apple pie and traditional than a Fourth of July parade? The "Lutz: Home Sweet Home" parade includes 80-100 units of firetrucks, bikes, cars, floats, candidates, scout troops, belly dancers and martial arts performers. The parade goes from Oscar Cooler Park to Lutz Lake Fern Road. Free.
Temple Terrace 4th of July Parade and Festivities
Mon., July 4, 10 a.m.
Festivities include a 2-mile parade, variety of festivities, food, live entertainment and fireworks. The parade route begins at Whiteway Drive and Gillette Avenue, travels south on Gillette to Druid Hills Road, then turns west to Ridgedale Avenue where it will turn south and disperse in the parking lot of Temple Terrace Elementary School. The evening event begins at 7 p.m. at the first fairway of the Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club, 200 Inverness Ave. The band Shout entertains with '50s and '60s music from 7 to 9 p.m., and singers with Masque Community Theatre of Temple Terrace perform. For more information, call the Greater Temple Terrace Chamber of Commerce at 813-989-7004 or write to [email protected].
GULFPORT/GULF BEACHES/SOUTH PINELLAS
Rockin' Red Glare
July 2-4
104th and Gulf Boulevard
Treasure Island Beach
If you're wondering where to make a weekend of it, head to T.I. Their three-day Independence Day festival begins at 4 p.m. Sat., July 2, kicking off with blues and southern rock from the Single Malt Brothers Band and Sarasota Slim. On Sunday, Caribbean Cowboy gets you in the summertime mood at 3 p.m., and the Elton John tribute band, The Rocket Man Show, featuring frontman Rus Anderson as the famed performer, busts out costume changes and all the necessary flamboyance at 6:30 p.m. The beach's Seaside Cinema, screens a free movie on the beach at 9 p.m., showing the PG-rated How to Train Your Dragon. On Mon., July 4, surf rockers The Tridents perform at 1 p.m., Tropical Disturbance plays ska and reggae at 3 p.m. and the Rebel Pride Band kicks out the down-home American jams at 7 p.m. Activities for kids include The Hippo, a large inflatable water slide — 175 feet long and nearly 40 feet high — from 10 a.m. to sunset. Arts and crafts vendors sell stuff, and a food court will be open all three days. Shows are free. Beach parking is $10 per day; parking entrance at 112th Avenue and Gulf Boulevard. Additional parking on July 4 only at the Treasure Island Community Center lawn for $5, and in the Community Center lot for $4. The Treasure Island Community Center is at 106th Avenue and Gulf Boulevard, behind Walgreens. 727-547-4575, ext. 237, online at mytreasureisland.org.
