RED, WHITE & KABOOM
Short list of Independence Day festivities, some on a Saturday
Southwest Florida honors Independence Day with a party. Here’s a short list of holiday celebrations you may wish to attend (check websites for times and days).
NAPLES PARADE AND NAPLES PIER (July 4) Things start with a two-hour parade at 10 a.m., traveling Broad Avenue South, Third Street South and Fifth Avenue South. The streets start filling up as early as 8 a.m.
The city is organizing the “4th of July Fireworks” at the Naples Municipal Pier starting at 9 p.m. The 20-minute show is choreographed to patriotic music on the radio station WAVV 101.1 FM. The event dates back 26 years.
Sugden Regional Park (July 4) Kicks off with an ice cream social from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., food vendors and entertainment starting at 6:30 p.m., fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
Bonita Springs (July 4) A parade from 9 to 10 a.m., festivities into the afternoon at Riverside Park, bringing fun games and contests, food and beverage vendors and live entertainment at 5 p.m. Fireworks are at dusk.
Estero (July 2) Miromar Outlets hosts its 17th annual Independence Day celebration at the plaza in Estero on Saturday, July 2. Starting at 6 p.m. face painting, live music and entertainment. Then fireworks will begin at dusk. Lawn chairs and blankets suggested.
Fort Myers Beach (July 4) Fourth of July begins at 10 a.m., with a parade that runs for an hour from the Sea Grape Plaza to Times Square. Going into the evening, fireworks will begin at dusk from the fishing pier. Matanzas Pass Bridge closes from around 9:30 a.m. till 12 p.m. Then at night, it will be closed once again, but only for oncoming traffic, from 9:30 p.m. through 11 p.m.
Fort Myers (July 4) The River District Alliance on July 4 holds its annual F reedom Fest in downtown Fort Myers. There will be variety of food vendors, children’s games, live music and performers during the all-day event. Fireworks are at dusk over the Caloosahatchee River.
Cape Coral (July 4) The city’s Red, White, and Boom festival is held on Cape Coral Parkway, from Del Prado Avenue to the foot of the Cape Coral (Lower) Bridge. Expect lots of food, crafts, activities, giveaways and live entertainment, as well as contests such as the most patriotic dog, apple pie baking and a banana split eating contest for kids. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. Keep in mind, Cape Coral Parkway from Del Prado Boulevard to the Cape Coral bridge and the bridge will be closed from 3 a.m. on July 4.
Sanibel (July 4) Small town but big parade takes over Periwinkle Way, with a free picnic at 9:30 a.m. at Bailey’s General Store and at Jerry’s Plaza, float judges, hot dogs, scouts, fireworks and a post-parade road rally hosted by the San-Cap Optimist Club. Fireworks will begin at sunset off the Sanibel Causeway.
Captiva (July 4) Star Spangled Celebration on Captiva will begin at South Seas Island Resort at 6 p.m. Included are festival foods and drinks along with games and face painting for the kids. The fun golfcart parade, with carts decorated in patriotic colors, leaves from the Chadwick Square down South Seas Plantation Road at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m.