We’re just a few weeks away from Fourth of July, and while there are always plenty of annual festivities in the Sarasota area — from fireworks to festivals to parades — this year’s holiday is a particularly significant one.
What makes this Fourth of July different
This year marks America’s semiquincentennial — 250 years since the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776.
So while many of this year’s local Fourth of July festivities will already be familiar to residents, a few have specific ties to America’s 250th anniversary, such as a Spirit of ’76 event being held in downtown Sarasota’s Five Points Park on July 3. The next day, Venice will hold a parade and picnic celebrating not just Fourth of July and America’s 250th birthday, but also its own centennial, with Venice incorporated as a town 100 years ago.
There will still be the typical Fourth of July celebrations as well, including fireworks displays in downtown Sarasota, on Siesta Beach and elsewhere. Here are the top events celebrating Fourth of July and America’s 250th birthday in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties, listed in chronological order. Event details are subject to change.
Where to celebrate Fourth of July in Sarasota, Bradenton and more
Fireworks on the Lake — America 250
Nathan Benderson Park hosts this early Fourth of July celebration featuring live music from Sugar Vibe and The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota, kids zone, food trucks, family-friendly activities and a fireworks show around 9 p.m. 5-9:45 p.m. July 3; Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota; free (general admission), $25-$55 (parking), $105 adults, $65 children ages 12 and under (VIP viewing experience); 941-358-7275; nathanbendersonpark.org
Marauders Independence Day Celebration
The Bradenton Marauders’ match against the Daytona Tortugas will also serve as an Independence Day celebration with post-game fireworks, players wearing patriotic-themed jerseys, and T-shirt giveaway for the first 1,500 fans. 6:30 p.m. July 3; LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton; $16-$21; milb.com/bradenton
Spirit of ’76
This event featuring the same producers as downtown Sarasota’s popular Fresh Fridays street party series will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with live music by Southbound 75, games and activities, local vendors and a Light Up the Sky interactive visual fireworks display. 7-10 p.m. July 3; Five Points Park, 1 Central Ave., Sarasota; free; spiritof76srq.com
Independence Day Parade
The annual parade and water fight spans Anna Maria Island from Coquina Beach to Bayfront Park in Anna Maria. 8 a.m. staging, 10 a.m. parade start July 4; free spectators, $25 parade entry; Anna Maria Island; annamariaislandprivateers.org
Longboat Key Freedom Fest
The 23rd annual celebration will include the Shortest Parade in America, Bicentennial Park rededication ceremony and Hot Diggity Dog costume contest, plus more family-friendly fun including games, crafts, a dunk tank, petting zoo, clown, patriotic music and butterfly release. 9-11 a.m. July 4; Bicentennial Park, 500 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key; free; 941-383-2466; longboatkeychamber.com
July 4th Parade and Picnic in Venice
Celebrating America’s 250th anniversary and Venice’s centennial, the parade starts at the intersection of West Venice Avenue and Avenue des Parques and concludes near West Blalock Park along Pensacola Road. A picnic will take place after the parade at Venice Community Center with activities indoors, outdoors and at West Blalock Park, including $2.50 hot dogs, music and dancing, face-painting, a watermelon-eating contest and more. 9:30 a.m. parade, 11 a.m. picnic July 4; Venice; venicegov.com
Fourth of July at Fishermen’s Village
Fishermen’s Village celebrates Fourth of July with activities and vendors; live music by Music Box Duo, Paul Roush, Chris Terp, Mark Gorka and From the Edge Band; and a fireworks display at 9 p.m. There will also be the annual Freedom Swim, with participants starting at 10 a.m. at Sunseeker Resort and swimming to Fishermen’s Village. Noon-9 p.m. July 4; Fishermen’s Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda; free; 941-639-8721; fishermensvillage.com
Fourth Fest and Fireworks
The festival will feature Water-Mania, a group of 12 giant waterslides, a kids fun zone, vendors, food and drink, live music, and a fireworks display scheduled to kick off at 9 p.m. over the Peace River. 3-9:30 p.m. July 4; Laishley Park, 150 Laishley Court, Punta Gorda; $5 suggested donation general admission, preferred and VIP seating also available; eventbrite.com
Palmetto Fourth Fest
The 15th annual Fourth of July celebration will feature live music including headliner Soul Circus Cowboys, food trucks, vendors and fireworks over the Manatee River. 5-10 p.m. July 4; Riverside Park, 801 Riverside Drive, Palmetto; free; facebook.com/palmettofourthfest
Bradenton Alive’s Fourth of July Celebration
Bradenton Alive hosts this event featuring live music by Twinkle & Rock Soul Radio and Luna & the Warriors, kids play area, food/drink and merchandise vendors, and fireworks. 5-11 p.m. July 4; Old Main Street and Rossi Park, 444 Third Ave. W, Bradenton; free general admission, $100 VIP; bradenton-alive.com
Fourth of July Block Party
Named one of USA TODAY’s best bars in 2024, downtown Sarasota’s Gator Club is known for holding holiday block parties. For Fourth of July, it will feature country band One Night Rodeo outside, and both live music and DJ Gator Ryan inside. 5 p.m.-late July 4; Gator Club, 1490 Main St., Sarasota; 941-366-5969; thegatorclub.com
Fourth of July All-American Cookout
Selby Gardens’ annual Independence Day celebration features family-friendly activities and games before the fireworks display over Sarasota Bay, with all-inclusive tickets also offering onsite parking, a buffet dinner by Michael’s on East, open bar and prime fireworks viewing. 5:30-9:30 p.m. July 4; Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St., Sarasota; $25-$35, $10-$15 ages 4-12, free ages 3 and under, $20 parking (general admission), $200, $85 ages 12-17, $55 ages 4-11; free ages 3 and under (all-inclusive); 941-366-5731; selby.org
Star-Spangled Spectacular at Waterside Place
The event will feature circus acts, carnival games, a kids zone, local eats and a 9 p.m. drone show. Limited seating is available, so bringing a lawn chair is encouraged, but no outside food or drink are permitted. 6-9 p.m. July 4; 1560 Lakefront Drive, Sarasota; no registration required; 800-307-2624; lakewoodranch.com
Freedom Festival
The event at the Atlanta Braves’ spring training home CoolToday Park will feature family-friendly activities, vendors, food, a flyover by the Gulf Coast Raptors Formation Flight Team, live music by Dukes of Brinkley and fireworks. 6-9:30 p.m. July 4; CoolToday Park, 18800 W. Villages Parkway, North Port; free; 941-429-7275; northportfl.gov
Siesta Key Fourth of July Fireworks
The 35th annual fireworks display returns to Siesta Beach, launching at dusk. 8-9:30 p.m. July 4; Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Siesta Key; free, contributions to support the fireworks can be made; 941-349-3800; my.siestakeychamber.com
Downtown Sarasota Fireworks
The annual downtown Sarasota Fourth of July fireworks display returns, with the best viewing from Bayfront Park. (Marina Jack in Bayfront Park will be open during the fireworks, with reservations required for its various seating options.) 9 p.m. July 4; Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota; free; sarasotafl.gov
Venice Fireworks
This year’s show, featuring Zambelli Fireworks and lasting 20-25 minutes, will be launched from the South Jetty and be visible from many beachside locations in Venice. 9 or 9:15 p.m. July 4; Venice; free; venicegov.com
What’s special about Fourth of July here
Fourth of July festivities in Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties make ample use of our numerous waterfront backdrops, including the opportunity to watch fireworks on Siesta Beach, named the best beach in America twice by Stephen “Dr. Beach” Letterman and last year by Tripadvisor, which also ranked it the fourth-best beach in the world.
What to keep in mind
USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida reported last month that Florida Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said a fireworks ban during Fourth of July weekend was “absolutely” possible due to wildfires burning across the state, fueled by dry conditions and dead vegetation, with drought conditions predicted through August.
Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: How to celebrate Fourth of July, America’s 250th in Sarasota area
Reporting by Jimmy Geurts, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jimmy Geurts, Sarasota Herald-Tribune | USA TODAY Network
