When it comes to Independence Day, you have lots of options: Fireworks, hot-dog-eating contests, a bed race, cruises, parades, 5K races and even country star Chase Bryant.
Here are some of the biggest events happening Wednesday, July 4 in Southwest Florida:
CAPE CORAL
Red, White & Boom: Country star Chase Bryant headlines the 50th annual Independence Day celebration, which also features opening acts Completely Unchained and the James Barker Band, vendors, a kids park with rides and the ever-popular fireworks display. There’s also the annual Freedom 5K race at 7 a.m. Cape Coral Parkway will be closed to traffic from 3 a.m. Wednesday through 3 a.m. Thursday. The festival takes place 5-10 p.m. at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge in downtown Cape Coral, just east of Del Prado Boulevard. Free admission. 573-3128 or capeboom.com
FORT MYERS
Freedom Fest: The annual Fourth of July celebration in downtown Fort Myers features fireworks, a deejay, kids activities, food, vendors and live music by Journey/Bon Jovi tribute band Titans of Rock. 4-10 p.m. Free. Edwards Drive in downtown Fort Myers. facebook.com/RiverDistrictAlliance
Fort Myers Miracle Fireworks: Fireworks will explode over Hammond Stadium about five minutes after the 7 p.m. baseball game between The Miracle and the Dunedin Blue Jays. The Miracle’s players will be wearing special USA-themed jerseys that will be auctioned for charity during the game. Tickets are $9.50 or $11.50 in advance, $11 and $13 on game day. Hammond Stadium, 14400 Ben C. Pratt/Six Mile Cypress Parkway, south Fort Myers. 768-4210 or miraclebaseball.com
Fireworks cruise: Get a front-row seat from the water for the downtown Fort Myers fireworks show aboard the M/V Edison Explorer. The narrated sunset cruise travels along Lee County’s coastal waterways before stopping in Fort Myers for the fireworks display. 7:15-10:15 p.m. $75 includes light food and desserts. Reservations required. The M/V Edison Explorer departs from The Marina at Edison Ford, 2360 W. First St., Fort Myers. 263-4949 or purefl.com
NAPLES
Naples Fireworks: The annual fireworks display will be launched at 9 p.m. from a barge off Naples Pier and choreographed to patriotic music simulcast on radio station 101.1 FM (WAVV). Bring a radio so you can tune in. 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. The fireworks can be seen all along the Naples beach. Personal use of sparklers or any fireworks is prohibited. Naples City Pier, 12th Avenue South, Naples
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. Downtown Naples. 213-7120 or FifthAvenueSouth.com
Independence Day party: Collier County Parks & Recreation throws its annual party with an ice-cream social from 4-6 p.m., followed by a deejay and family activities from 6:30-10 p.m. (including fireworks at 9:15 p.m.). Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged for the outdoor event. Free. Sugden Regional Park, 4284 Avalon Drive, Naples. 252-4045 or collierparks.com
ESTERO/BONITA SPRINGS
Star Spangled Bonita: Celebrate Independence Day with live entertainment, a kids amusement area, a bed race, an ice-cream-eating contest, and a fireworks and laser-light display. Starts at 5 p.m. with fireworks at night. The kids amusement area features a water slide, a bounce house, amusement rides, a slip-n-slide, water tag, train rides, face painting and more. Food and drinks will be sold. No coolers or pets allowed. The Bonita Springs July 4th Parade takes place in the morning at 9 a.m. This year’s parade theme is “Our Founding Fathers.” For parade questions, call 949-6200. Free admission. Riverside Park, 10451 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. 949-6262 or cityofbonitasprings.org
USA Independence Day 5K: An Independence Day morning run/walk at Germain Arena. Starts at 7 a.m. and ends with an awards ceremony. Participants each get a Dri-FIT Tech T-shirt, and medals will be awarded to the winners. $35-$40. Germain Arena, 11000 Everblades Parkway, Estero. eliteevents.org/usa-independence-day-5k.html
4th of July Family Cookout: Join the church for this family cookout that includes water games, volleyball and a kids bike parade. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Free. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 20601 Three Oaks Parkway, Estero. 948-1516
FORT MYERS BEACH
Fort Myers Beach Fireworks, parade and patriotic event: The annual Fourth of July parade starts at 10 a.m. and travels along Estero Boulevard from Bay Oaks Recreation Center to Times Square. The patriotic event takes place Noon to 2 p.m. in Times Square near the clock and features patriotic crafts, a watermelon-eating contest and a dunk tank. The day ends with fireworks at 8:45 p.m. at Times Square. Beach chairs are encouraged. The Matanzas Bridge will be closed from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 9:30-11 p.m. Free. Parking is limited. Free trolley service is available all day. Times Square and Fort Myers Beach Pier, 1000 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach.
SANIBEL ISLAND
Sanibel Island Independence Day Celebration: The annual Fourth of July celebration starts with a 9:30 a.m. parade that travels along Periwinkle Way from Tarpon Bay Road to Casa Ybel Road. Then it continues with an after-parade celebration at Jerry’s Shopping Center from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., including a water slide, food and refreshments. That’s followed by the 39th-annual San-Cap Optimist’s Club Road Rally, which starts at noon at Timbers Restaurant. The day ends at 9 p.m. with fireworks launched from the end of Bailey Road. Sanibel Island. mysanibel.com
Fourth of July Fireworks Cruise: Get "front-row" seats to view Sanibel Island's fireworks aboard a 49-passenger catamaran. Cruise around San Carlos Bay while looking for dolphins and watching the sunset. 7:30-10:30 p.m. $59. Adventures in Paradise, 4341 Port Comfort Road, south Lee County. 472-8443 or adventureinparadiseinc.com
PORT CHARLOTTE
“Land of the Pilgrim’s Pride” concert: Local veterans join choral group Bion Cantorum for a vocal concert featuring patriotic songs including "We Fight Not for Glory," "Yankee Doodle,” “Dixie” and the theme music from the movie “We Were Soldiers.” 3 p.m. $15. A cookout follows the concert. First Presbyterian Church of Port Charlotte, 2230 Hariet St., Port Charlotte. bioncantorum.com
PUNTA GORDA
4th Fest: This annual event features vendors, food, live bands, more than a dozen giant inflatable water slides and fireworks over the Peace River. 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. Most rides and food require tickets. A $10 wristband gives you all-day access to the water slides and bounce houses. $3 admission (free for ages 11 and younger). Laishley Park, 100 Nesbit Road, Punta Gorda. puntagordafireworks.com
Fishermen's Village Fourth of July Celebration and Freedom Swim: The annual Freedom Swim features hundreds of swimmers and boaters. The 1.5-mile swim starts at 11 a.m. on the north end of the U.S. 41 bridge and ends at Fishermen's Village. That's followed by live bands and family activities from noon to 9 p.m., when fireworks will be launched over Charlotte Harbor. All events are free, including the Freedom Swim. Fishermen's Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. 941-639-0969 or fishville.com
PINE ISLAND
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
4th of July Deck Party and Helping Paws Food and Supply Drive: Celebrate Independence Day a little early with this party from 2-5 p.m. Yard Dog Charlie performs his Florida swamp music. Plus donate money or items to Helping Paws Animal Shelter (including cat food, cat litter, treats, paper towels, trash bags and cleaning products). The event also features raffles and a 50/50 drawing. Everyone who donates food, supplies or money gets raffle tickets. Woody’s Island Rum & Grille, 3051 Stringfellow Road, St. James City. 283-5555 or woodysislandrumandgrille.com
SAN CARLOS PARK
San Carlos Park 4th of July parade: The annual parade starts at the Ace Hardware plaza at the corner of Sanibel Boulevard and U.S. 41. Then it travels east on Sanibel to Lee Road, San Carlos Boulevard East and Three Oaks Boulevard until it ends at Three Oaks Park. 8:30-10:30 a.m. Free. Participants can enter decorated floats, cars, trucks, bicycles, motorcycles and almost anything that walks or rolls. Sunshine Ace Hardware plaza, 18911 S. Tamiami Trail, San Carlos Park. 878-7624
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