Fireworks are one of the first things that come to mind when someone mentions the Fourth of July Holiday. There are restrictions on where you can fire off fireworks in Southwest Florida, but there are still ways to enjoy them during the holiday.
Charlotte County
Laishley Park will be hosting 4th Fest from 11am to 9:30pm. The celebration will feature water slides and live music. A fireworks show over Charlotte Harbor will cap off the evening.
The 27th Annual Freedom Swim begins at 11am in Charlotte Harbor. Swimmers arriving by boat can start at the usual place, at the north end of the U.S. 41 bridge. However, due to construction in that area, swimmers starting from land should start at Gilchrist Park, then make their way out to Marker 4, then proceed to the finish at Fisherman's Village.
Collier County
Naples Fireworks: Launched at 9 p.m. from a barge off Naples Pier and choreographed to patriotic music simulcast on radio station 101.1 FM. Bring chairs or blankets and pick a spot along the city beach from Lowdermilk Park to south of the pier for the best viewing spots in town. Personal use of sparklers or any fireworks is prohibited.
Naples Parade: The annual parade travels from Broad Avenue South to Third Street South, Fifth Avenue South and Eighth Street South. 10-11 a.m. Free.
The Collier County Parks and Recreation Division and the Veterans Services Division is hosting a free Fourth of July celebration. The event is taking place at Sugden Regional Park starting at 4pm and ending at 10pm. The evening will end with a fireworks display beginning at 9:15pm.
Lee County
Cape Coral Red White and Boom takes place from 5pm until 10pm at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge. Hosted by the City of Cape Coral Parks and Recreation, the event will feature food and music and end with a fireworks display.
The Fort Myers Miracle will be hosting a Fourth of July Celebration ending with a post-game fireworks show. Doors will open at 6pm for the 7pm game against the Dunedin Blue Jays.
Fort Myers Beach will host a parade starting at 10am at Bay Oaks Recreation Center and proceeding to Times Square. Patriotic events will be held at Times Square from noon-2pm. Fireworks begin at Times Square around 8:45pm.
Pine Island Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks: The annual parade begins at 10 a.m. at Winn Dixie (9864 Stringfellow Road, St James City). Then it marches to the four-way stop and the Elks parking lot at Pine Island Center. There will also be a Bike 'n Trike parade for kids with prizes awarded to children ages 6 to 13. Stringfellow Road will be closed to traffic during the parade. The party continues starting at noon at the American Legion 136 (4106 Stringfellow Road, St. James City), with music, food and fireworks at dusk. 283-5270.
Bonita Springs Professional Firefighters Parade: Parade participants will assemble at 8 am just south of Bonita Drive, near Buffalo Chips, off Old 41 Road. The parade begins at 9 am, and lasts for approximately one hour. Trophy presentations are made immediately after the parade at the Judges Tent off Old 41, across from Riverside Park. This year's Fourth of July Parade theme is "Our Founding Fathers."
The City of Bonita Springs is holding the annual Star Spangled Bonita Independence Day celebration at Riverside Park in Bonita Springs starting at 5:00 p.m.
Sanibel Events: Their Independence Day parade "Wild About America" begins at 9:30am at Tarpon Bay Road on Periwinkle Way to Casa Ybel Road. Fireworks will be launched at 9pm from the north end terminus of Bailey Road. Best viewing of the fireworks display is from the Sanibel Causeway Islands and the bay side of Sanibel.
