The Privateers lead their island-long Fourth of July Parade. Islander File Photo
Island to celebrate Independence Day with parade, fireworks
The Fourth of July brings blasts from the cannons in the Anna Maria Island Privateers Independence Day Parade and bursts of fireworks on the beach.
The two major island events for the holiday occur on Tuesday, July 4, with the parade at 10 a.m. and the fireworks after sunset in Anna Maria.
The Privateers’ parade will begin at about 10 a.m. at Coquina Beach.
The parade route stretches from South Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach to the Anna Maria City Pier at the east end of Pine Avenue.
Participation in the parade is open to the public and there is no entrance fee.
Privateers encourage entrants to show their “red, white and blue” pride and entries must be on wheels — no walking or marching because the all-island route is too long.
After the parade, the Privateers will host a party noon-4 p.m. at the Ugly Grouper, 5704 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, and present $20,650 in scholarships to 14 students. The party will feature live entertainment, food and drink.
For more information, call Tim “Hammer” Thompson at 941-780-1668 or go online amiprivateers.org.
The annual “Fireworks Extravaganza” at the Sandbar, presented by the Chiles Restaurant Group, will take place after dark July 4.
The restaurant, 100 Spring Ave., Anna Maria, will host a holiday party, with reserved seating, dinner specials, musical entertainment and party favors.
The fireworks show will take place on the beach near the restaurant, with the public gathering on the beach to the north and south of the Sandbar.