Look for red, white, blue and beads.
The first parade to roll on Anna Maria Island since December 2019 will take place July 3.
The Anna Maria Island Privateers will present their traditional July 4 parade celebrating Independence Day. The parade is set to begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 3 — a date change to accommodate island church services — at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach.
The parade will travel north — mainly on Gulf Drive. In Holmes Beach, the parade will travel on Gulf, Marina and Palm drives. In Anna Maria, the parade will travel on Gulf Drive, then east on Pine Avenue to City Pier Park.
Participants must be on wheels, as the route is long and the parade moves too fast for walkers.
Some other tips and cautions:
- Entries with a generator must be equipped with a fire extinguisher;
- Firing of black powder is allowed;
- Tossing candy and food items is not allowed;
- Entries must display an identifying banner;
- Political advertising is not allowed, and
- Entries should be decked out for the holiday.
Entry is free but the Privateers welcome donations, which will support the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County.
The Privateers did not hold a July 4 parade or a Christmas parade in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic and the annual Beach Bistro St. Patrick’s Day parade did not take place in 2020 or 2021.
So the independence celebration will be the largest event on the island in about 19 months.
On July 3, the Privateers will host a private party for the krewes participating in the parade.
However, the traditional post-parade party to award college scholarships will not occur, as the nonprofit plans to honor scholars at a Bradenton Marauders home game this summer.
Also, there will be no fireworks displays on the island over the July 4 weekend. The Sandbar Restaurant in Anna Maria did not hold its fireworks display last year and did not schedule one this year. Likewise, for the Beach House Restaurant in Bradenton Beach. Anna Maria businessman Ed Chiles own both.
After dark Sunday, July 4, Fireworks will begin along the riverfront near the Green Bridge in Bradenton and Palmetto. Additionally, the Fourth of July Festival will be 4-11 p.m. in Palmetto’s Sutton Park, 1036 Sixth St. W.
For more about the island parade, go to amiprivateers.org or contact Privateers president Kim “Syren” Boyd at 931-639-0986.