VENICE – The city of Venice’s annual Independence Day Fireworks Display will launch from North Brohard Beach, just north of the Venice Municipal Fishing Pier, and will be professionally conducted by Pyrotecnico.
The location change is necessary because impact from the 2024 hurricane season left Humphris Park and the South Jetty inaccessible.
The display will be visible from many beachside locations in Venice, with fireworks reaching average heights of 150 feet with a maximum height of 300 feet, and will be visible from a half- to one-mile away.
This means the fireworks display will not be visible from Humphris Park, the South Jetty, the North Jetty, Snake Island, the Intracoastal Waterway, or most inland locations.
The show, which is being funded by Visit Sarasota County and the Venice Pier Group, is scheduled to begin at about 9:15 p.m. July 4.
“We’re proud to continue this more than 75-year Venice tradition with a revised site plan and the generous support of our sponsors and partners,” Assistant City Manager James Clinch said in a prepared statement. “We appreciate the community’s flexibility as we adapt to this new layout, and we look forward to safely celebrating our nation’s independence together along the shore.”
In the event of inclement weather, the fireworks show may be delayed.
What about sea turtle nests?
The city is partnering with Mote Marine Laboratory’s Turtle Patrol and Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources, Keep Sarasota County Beautiful, and Venice Area Beautification Inc. to ensure a minimally disruptive experience for local sea turtles.
The launch area will be closed to the public beginning the morning of July 4 once Mote provides the all-clear.
People are advised not to enter this secured area, which includes portions of the North Brohard Beach parking lot, the public beach and portion of the Gulf.
The area will remain closed for at least 30 minutes following the fireworks finale.
Where is the best place to view the Venice fireworks?
Views may vary from all locations and weather, wind and cloud coverage may impact visibility.
The primary suggested viewing locations span from Venice Beach, 101 The Esplanade, south, including Service Club Park, 1190 Harbor Drive S.; North Brohard Beach, 1400 Harbor Drive S.; Maxine Barritt Park, 1800 Harbor Drive S.; Brohard Beach and Paw Park, 1850 Harbor Drive S. (though people are urged to leave their pets at home); and South Brohard Beach, 1900 Harbor Drive S. The Venice Municipal Fishing Pier, 1600 Harbor Drive S., is open for standing room only, with no chairs allowed; Sharky’s on the Pier and Fins at Sharky’s, are limited to restaurant and reservation access.
Venice Pier Group will provide additional food and beverage stations both north and south of the pier from the beachside access points.
Caspersen Beach, 4100 Harbor Drive S., remains closed to vehicle traffic.
Boaters must stay clear of the marked marine blast zone and designated swim areas.
A Temporary Notice to Airmen will be in effect before, during, and shortly after the fireworks display. Pilots are advised to avoid the airspace around Venice Municipal Airport and North Brohard Beach launch area during this period for the safety of all air traffic and event attendees.
Where can I park?
Free public parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis at Venice Beach, Service Club Park, North and South Brohard Beaches, Maxine Barritt Park, Venice Community Center and right-of-way parking along Harbor Drive South, south of Base Avenue.
Parking is not available along streets marked as Private or Private Drive, nor in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Station, which is federal property. Violators will be ticketed and towed.
How can I help clean up on July 5?
Venice Area Beautification Inc. and Keep Sarasota County Beautiful are coordinating a beach cleanup on Saturday, July 5, from Venice Beach to Caspersen Beach. To register to help clean up there or anywhere in Sarasota County, visit https://bit.ly/4e5Nxpj.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: July 4 Venice fireworks will launch from North Brohard Beach with Humphris Park closed
Reporting by Staff Report / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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