LEE COUNTY, Fla. -- Still don't know where to find some 4th of July fun? We've got you covered with some of the biggest celebrations happening in Southwest Florida on Thursday.
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One of the most popular events is Cape Coral's Red White and Boom. They expect tens of thousands of people to gather on Cape Coral Parkway at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge. The main event takes place between 5pm through 10pm, with the fireworks scheduled to begin at 9:30pm. However, the Cape Coral Bridge will be closed beginning at 3am Thursday to clear the way for the
Freedom 5K at 7am. There will also be a kids play area and a concert stage.
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Fort Myers hosts Freedom Fest in downtown. It's a family friendly event on the waterfront on Edwards Drive from 6-10pm. Activities and entertainment will include live music, kids' activities, food and vendors. The Thunder Beach Band will be onstage from 6-9 and DJ Tom's Tunes will be playing some tunes with special games for prizes. Fireworks start at 9:30!
Out in Fort Myers Beach, their Fourth of July Parade begins at 10am at Bay Oaks Recreation Center and heads to Times Square, where live music begins at 1pm and fireworks begin at 9pm. More information here.
The City of Sanibel is celebrating with a 4th of July Parade beginning at 9:30am at Tarpon Bay Road and Periwinkle, and ending at Periwinkle and Casa Ybel Road. Then at 9pm, fireworks will be launched on the bay side of the island at Bailey Road. More details here.
The City of Naples shoots off fireworks from the pier. The show begins at 9pm and will feature a twenty minute display with special effects musically choreographed to patriotic selections that will be simulcast on radio station WAVV 101.1 FM. Strict parking enforcement will take place in marked "No Parking" areas with close attention given to the entire length of Gulf Shore Blvd, blocked intersections, and fire hydrants. There will be no parking allowed on either side of Gulf Shore Blvd. between 20th Ave. S. and 8th Ave. N. (Golf Dr.) Vehicles will be towed. More info here.
Also in Naples, the free Fourth of July Celebration at Sugden Regional Park starts off with an ice cream social from 4pm to 6pm. Food and beverages will be available to purchase. Entertainment will start at 6:30pm to 8:30pm and the evening will end with a fireworks display beginning at 9:15pm. Bring lawn chairs and blankets for seating.
Bonita Springs is hosting Star Spangled Bonita at Riverside Park from 5pm-9pm. There will be live music from The Marc Vee Band, food and beverages available for purchase, activities and games for the kids, fireworks and a Laser Light Show!
Punta Gorda will be the site of Fourthfest 2019 at Laishley Park. This year’s event features Water-Mania, a group of 12 giant waterslides of all types and sizes for the littlest kids to grownups too. There will also be a large Kid’s Fun Zone, live music throughout the day, followed by fireworks promptly at 9:00pm, shot over the beautiful Peace River.
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Fisherman's Village in Punta Gorda is also hosting their annual 4th of July Celebration. The always popular Freedom Swim begins at 2 pm at Gilchrist Park and ends at Harpoon Harry’s. There will also be live music all day, followed by fireworks viewing over the Peace River at 9pm.
