TAMPA BAY, Fla. -- A little more than 240 years ago, America gained its independence and became the United States. We celebrate that birthday by setting off loud, colorful explosions in the sky and wearing as much red, white and blue as we can.
There are dozens of places around Tampa Bay to catch fireworks and events celebrating our Independence Day.
CANCELED: Temple Terrace 4th of July Parade and Fireworks: Sad news, the Temple Terrace Fireworks show was canceled for bad weather. templeterracechamber.com
CANCELED: City of St. Petersburg Fireworks: The city of St. Petersburg tweeted the show was canceled due to technical difficulties Wednesday night.
Pinellas County
TradeWinds 14th annual Terry Cloth Tribute: The resort on St. Pete Beach uses 975 colored towels to create a giant 13-star flag mosaic on the beach. The annual event is the brainchild of retired employee Bob McManaway, former director of plant operations and Armed Forces veteran. Hotel guests can assist in placing the towels on the beach to form a mosaic of the original Betsy Ross flag, and 13 younger hotel guests will pose as the stars of the flag. Construction starts at 9 a.m. and the flag will stay on the beach until 1 p.m., weather permitting. 5500 Gulf Boulevard, St. Pete Beach.
Fourth of July Patriotic Picnic in the Park and Fireworks: The annual event in Tarpon Springs’ has water slides, lawn games and more. The event runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Craig Park, Tarpon Avenue at Spring Boulevard. Fireworks start around 8:30 p.m. and are best seen from Howard Park Beach. spongedocks.net
City of Gulfport’s 4th of July Celebration: Kid’s Star Spangled Banner Fishing Derby (8-11 a.m., 5730 Shore Blvd. S), Family Sand Sculpture Contest (10 a.m.-2 p.m., Gulfport Beach), Historical Society annual mullet toss (12:30 p.m., Gulfport Beach), Parade on Beach Boulevard (6 p.m.), fireworks (9 p.m. near the Gulfport Casino). Mygulfport.us
Clearwater Celebrates America: Free and family-friendly celebration goes down at Coachman Park in downtown with music, food, drinks, local vendors and activities. Gates open at 6 p.m., fireworks 9-9:30 p.m. 301 Drew St. visitstpeteclearwater.com.
Largo 4th of July Celebration: Largo Central Park will have food, live entertainment, a pie-eating contest and a watermelon seed spitting contest. Starts at 6 p.m. with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Free. visitstpeteclearwater.com.
Safety Harbor 4th of July Celebration: There’s a patriotic parade down Main Street at 10 a.m. followed by kids activities, live entertainment and food vendors at 5 p.m. The night ends with fireworks at 9 p.m. Free. cityofsafetyharbor.com.
Pasco County
Sparklebration: The Pasco County Fairgrounds will have bounce houses, kids activities, watermelon eating contest, petting zoo and pony rides, hot dog eating contest, live entertainment, a food court and more. Gates open at 4 p.m. with fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Admission $6; parking $5. 36722 State Road 52, Dade City. pascocountyfair.com.
Hillsborough County
Free admission for Bank of America cardholders: The Tampa Bay History Center celebrates Independence Day by offering free admission for Bank of America cardholders and $5 admission for all other visitors on Wednesday. The center is also opened extended hours from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Costumed reenactors representing American military history are planned to interact with guests. tampabayhistorycenter.org.
Busch Gardens: The Tampa theme park will have DJ party zones and fireworks at Gwazi Park. Veterans also get in free through July 4. Included with park admission ($79.99). Buschgardens.com.
Tampa Red, White & Blue Festival: The annual event has a color guard welcome with the Shriners, All-American food court, patriotic costume contest, meet and greet with celebrity magician and actor Rashaun Hammond, live entertainment, arts and crafts zone, apple pie eating contest, carnival games, giveaways and more. Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park, 601 Old Water Street, Tampa.Free with advanced registration at cityfestivals.org.
Downtown Tampa Independence Day Fireworks Celebration: The City of Tampa partners with the Friends of the Riverwalk to throw the annual celebration near the Tampa Convention Center. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. with viewing all along the Riverwalk. 333 S Franklin St. tampasdowntown.com.
American Victory Ship 4th of July Family Fun Fest: The World War II-era military ship hosts the celebration 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with music, games, beer and wine, contests and more. Admission $13, veterans $10. Americanvictory.org.
Brandon Fourth of July Parade: The patriotic parade runs 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. starting at the corner of Lumsden Road and Parson Avenue and finishing at Buckingham Place.
Polk County
Plant City July 4th Celebration: The event presented by the Recreation & Parks Department and the Great Plant City Chamber of Commerce will have a climbing wall, bungee jumps, face painting, balloon art, corn hole, kid crafts, food vendors, live music and more. Free, parking $5. 6-9 p.m. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. 1810 East Park Rd. plantcitygov.com.
Thunder on the Ridge: The annual event since 1998 boasts Polk County’s largest fireworks display. There will also be beer, food, live entertainment, a cornhole tournament, kids activities and fireworks. 3-10 p.m. Haines City Lake Eva Park, 555 Ledwith Ave. hainescity.com.
Red, White and Boom!: The annual celebration at Legoland Florida has guests don special glasses that let them see Lego bricks exploding in the sky. There will also be a DJ dance party, a patriotic competition and a chance to help build a giant Lego brick flag. Included with park admission ($74.99 and up). 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven. legoland.com.
Sarasota County
All American Barbeque and Independence Day Celebration: Selby Gardens hosts Michael’s On East, live music from The Hydramatic and family activities plus fireworks over Sarasota Bay. Tickets $35, ages 4-12 $10, 3 and under free. 6-10 p.m. 900 S Palm Ave. Sarasota. Escape-to-sarasota.com.
28th Annual 4th of July Fireworks on Siesta Key: Fireworks are set off just north of the volleyball courts, so viewing is great anywhere south and along Crescent Beach. 9 p.m. More information at (941) 349-3800.
Manatee County
Fireworks on the Manatee River: Watch fireworks in downtown Bradenton and along the Bradenton Riverwalk. Fireworks will be launched from a barge on the river at 9 p.m.
Palmetto Fourth Festival: Charlie Daniels Band will play a free concert at Sutton Park on July 4. Park activities open at 4 p.m. with Charlie Daniels Band playing at 7 p.m. followed by fireworks. 1036 6th St W, Palmetto. Palmettofl.org.
Hernando County
Fourth of July Bandshell Bash - Celebrate America!: The Hernando County Fine Arts Council sponsors an afternoon of games, a petting zoo, storytelling, food, local vendors and live entertainment. Free. 4-8 p.m. Hernando Park, 205 East Fort Dade Ave., Brooksville. hernandocounty.us
Orlando
Walt Disney World: Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky fireworks and concert on Main Street U.S.A. in Magic Kingdom. Included with park admission. 9 p.m. July 3-4. Tickets and more information at disneyworld.com.
SeaWorld: The park’s Ignite fireworks show will have a special patriotic finale. Included with park admission. 9:30 and 9:45 p.m. seaworld.com.
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