ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The coronavirus pandemic has canceled a lot of events this year, and now families are trying to find something to do on July 4th.
Most major cities have canceled their Independence celebrations, including the one in downtown St. Petersburg and Tampa’s Boom by the Bay due to COVID.
But some counties are making adjustments to give the people what they want... fireworks!
Some firework shows can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own car.
Sarasota, North Port and the town of Dundee's firework shows are returning with a social distancing twist. They'll all be drive-ins.
"The community is looking for some rallying point and touchpoints to be unified, to be together in a sense of unity and that's a good portion of what this is,” Doug Jessmer said. “Just the community coming together celebrating America.”
Jessmer, the media and communications manager for Nathan Benderson Park, says the annual tradition is at 9 p.m. July 3 at the park.
You must buy tickets in advance if you want to catch the show. But, don't wait too long because space is limited.
“We are marking off the parking lot in three different parts of the park so everybody is socially distant and can be socially distant from each other,” Jessmer said. “Cars are $15 each and RVs are $40 each.”
If you're looking for a free event, you'll want to stop by the City of North Port.
On July 4th, you can grab a parking spot at North Port High School, Heron Creek Middle School or at Butler Park to watch fireworks at 9 p.m.
In Dundee, the fireworks will be launched from Lake Marie around 9:20 p.m., so find any spot with a good view.
In Polk County, the City of Davenport is scaling back this year but still plans to shoot fireworks along Davenport Boulevard. The firework show will have radio synchronized music starting at 8:30 p.m.
There'll also be a variety of food trucks at Wilson Park 5 State Street starting at 7:30 p.m. All the city asks is that you practice social distancing.
In Highlands County, there will be a DJ and fireworks at City Pier Beach in downtown Sebring at 9 p.m.
The Hernando County Fairgrounds planned to host a demolition derby and fireworks show but since has been canceled.
Many major events may not be happening this weekend, but are getting postponed until later. Leaders from the cities of Palmetto and Bradenton say the show will go on in Manatee County, but people will have to wait until Labor Day to see it.
Here’s the list of all celebrations being postponed until Labor Day:
- The county’s annual fireworks display over the Manatee River is now planned to begin right after sunset on Sept. 7, which typically comes at about 8 p.m.
- Rock N’ Freedom Fest in Winter Haven
- Auburndale 4th of July Fireworks Display
- Gulfport's July 4th Celebration
- Temple Terrace's 4th Of July Fireworks
CANCELED EVENTS
Pinellas County
- St. Petersburg waterfront fireworks display
- Clearwater’s fireworks show at Threshers Game
- 4th of July Fireworks on Redington Shores
- Largo (canceled with plans to reschedule later this year)
- Treasure Island fireworks
- Safety Harbor 4th of July Celebrations
Hernando County
- Firecracker Smash'm Up
Hillsborough County
- City of Tampa’s annual Boom by the Bay Celebration
- Plant City fireworks
Polk County
- Lakeland
- Lake Wales Festivities and Fireworks
- Bartow 4th of July Independence Day Celebration
- Haines City Thunder on the Ridge
Sarasota County