From spectacular waterfront fireworks to exciting live concerts and pets on parade, there's more than enough fun to fill your Fourth of July on Florida’s Gulf Coast. So in honor of our great nation’s birthday, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best ways to party like a patriot: 1. Start Your Engines - Fourth of July weekend in Sarasota means offshore racing! Be part of the annual festivities and one of the longest running powerboat races in history. A full weekend of events is scheduled from car and motorcycle shows to a family friendly block party. Visit here for more information. 2. Star Spangled Bayfront - Cap off a fun weekend of offshore racing with a cascading display of lights and sounds at the Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular, taking place at Sarasota Bayfront Park at 9:00 pm. 3. A Blast on the Beach - Come enjoy a thrilling fireworks show on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches at the 24th Annual 4th of July Fireworks Display and Party on Siesta Key. For the best vantage point, pick a spot along Crescent Beach, just south of Siesta Public Beach. Visit here to find out more. 4. Garden Party – Get tropical this Fourth of July at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens celebration. Groove to live reggae, indulge in some finger lickin’ barbecue and enjoy the fireworks along the shores of Sarasota Bay. For more information, visit here. 5. Vibrant Venice - The Sertoma Club of Venice is sponsoring this year’s fireworks show at the South Jetty, which begins at sunset on Friday, July 4. Jetty parking will be closed, but the fireworks may be seen all along Venice and Nokomis Beach – or take your boat and watch the show from the Gulf. Click here to find out more. 6. As American as Apple Pie – Baseball is right up there with apple pie when it comes to all things American, and this July 3rd you can watch the Marauder’s take on the Ft. Myers Miracle at McKechnie Field in Bradenton. After the game there’ll be live music and fireworks, so you can really get into the spirit! Visit here for more information. 7. Englewood Extravaganza - This year, The Cajun Festival has been given a new name - The Englewood Firecracker Festival. Taking place on Friday, July 4, on historic Dearborn Street, there will be day-long festivities filled with burgers, hot dogs and frozen cocktails, which all spills into the evening fireworks over Lemon Bay. Click here to find out more. 8. Boca Bash – Join The Gasparilla Inn & Club in Boca Grande this Fourth of July for a full weekend of family fun – including beach and lawn games, a sand sculpting contest and barbecue cookout with fireworks. Visit here for more information. 9. Longboat Free – Take part in a patriotic stroll with your pooch down Longboat Key's Main Street this Fourth of July. Families and their four legged friends will be dressed in red, white and blue for The Annual Freedom Fest Parade, with fun, games and a butterfly release at Bicentennial Park following the parade. For more information, give the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce a call at 941.383.2466. 10. Island Party – The Privateers 4th of July Parade is an annual patriotic-themed parade hosted by the Anna Maria Privateers. It starts at 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, and takes place on Friday. The seven-mile parade begins at Coquina Beach and will end at Bay Front Park. After the parade, stop by Cafe on the Beach for live music, food and drinks. Where will you be celebrating this Fourth of July? Let us know! Fabulous Fourth: 10 Ways to Celebrate Independence Day in Sarasota & Beyond
- By Michael Saunders
- Posted
From spectacular waterfront fireworks to exciting live concerts and pets on parade, there's more than enough fun to fill your Fourth of July on Florida’s Gulf Coast. So in honor of our great nation’s birthday, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best ways to party like a patriot: 1. Start Your Engines - Fourth of July weekend in Sarasota means offshore racing! Be part of the annual festivities and one of the longest running powerboat races in history. A full weekend of events is scheduled from car and motorcycle shows to a family friendly block party. Visit here for more information. 2. Star Spangled Bayfront - Cap off a fun weekend of offshore racing with a cascading display of lights and sounds at the Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular, taking place at Sarasota Bayfront Park at 9:00 pm. 3. A Blast on the Beach - Come enjoy a thrilling fireworks show on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches at the 24th Annual 4th of July Fireworks Display and Party on Siesta Key. For the best vantage point, pick a spot along Crescent Beach, just south of Siesta Public Beach. Visit here to find out more. 4. Garden Party – Get tropical this Fourth of July at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens celebration. Groove to live reggae, indulge in some finger lickin’ barbecue and enjoy the fireworks along the shores of Sarasota Bay. For more information, visit here. 5. Vibrant Venice - The Sertoma Club of Venice is sponsoring this year’s fireworks show at the South Jetty, which begins at sunset on Friday, July 4. Jetty parking will be closed, but the fireworks may be seen all along Venice and Nokomis Beach – or take your boat and watch the show from the Gulf. Click here to find out more. 6. As American as Apple Pie – Baseball is right up there with apple pie when it comes to all things American, and this July 3rd you can watch the Marauder’s take on the Ft. Myers Miracle at McKechnie Field in Bradenton. After the game there’ll be live music and fireworks, so you can really get into the spirit! Visit here for more information. 7. Englewood Extravaganza - This year, The Cajun Festival has been given a new name - The Englewood Firecracker Festival. Taking place on Friday, July 4, on historic Dearborn Street, there will be day-long festivities filled with burgers, hot dogs and frozen cocktails, which all spills into the evening fireworks over Lemon Bay. Click here to find out more. 8. Boca Bash – Join The Gasparilla Inn & Club in Boca Grande this Fourth of July for a full weekend of family fun – including beach and lawn games, a sand sculpting contest and barbecue cookout with fireworks. Visit here for more information. 9. Longboat Free – Take part in a patriotic stroll with your pooch down Longboat Key's Main Street this Fourth of July. Families and their four legged friends will be dressed in red, white and blue for The Annual Freedom Fest Parade, with fun, games and a butterfly release at Bicentennial Park following the parade. For more information, give the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce a call at 941.383.2466. 10. Island Party – The Privateers 4th of July Parade is an annual patriotic-themed parade hosted by the Anna Maria Privateers. It starts at 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, and takes place on Friday. The seven-mile parade begins at Coquina Beach and will end at Bay Front Park. After the parade, stop by Cafe on the Beach for live music, food and drinks. Where will you be celebrating this Fourth of July? Let us know! 
