Light the sky.
Fire the cannons.
And, yes, aim those water guns.
Independence Weekend arrives July 2 with fireworks over the beach presented by the Sandbar Restaurant.
The show — free to the public and with special seating offerings for a price at the restaurant, 100 Spring Ave., Anna Maria — will begin after sunset, about 9 p.m.
The best public viewing will be on the beach north and south of the restaurant.
For more information about the fireworks, call the Sandbar at 941-778-0444.
On Monday, July 4, the Anna Maria Island Privateers will present their traditional Independence Day Parade.
The parade is set to begin at 10 a.m. at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach, with participants due to arrive at 8 a.m. to organize the procession.
The parade will travel north on Gulf Drive.
In Holmes Beach, the parade will travel on Gulf, East Bay, Marina and Palm drives.
In Anna Maria, the parade will travel on Gulf Drive, then Pine Avenue east to City Pier Park.
Participants must be on wheels, as the route is too long and the parade moves too fast for walkers.
Some other encouragements and cautions:
- Entries with a generator must be equipped with a fire extinguisher;
- Firing of black powder is allowed;
- Entries must feature a banner identifying representation;
- Political advertising is not allowed and;
- Entries should be decked out for the holiday.
Previously the Privateers announced that water cannons and water guns would not be allowed but the policy was changed in the weeks prior to the event.
The Privateers issued an announcement: “This parade involves water. Many spectators like to use low-powered water guns and squirt shots at the parade participants and, in return, many of the parade participants do the same. If you don’t like the idea of being wet, please stand back from the road or use some kind of shield.”
The Privateers still caution against using water balloons.
Entry in the parade is free but the Privateers welcome donations, which will support the Roser Food Pantry.
For more information about the island parade, go online to amiprivateers.org or contact Kim “Syren” Boyd at 931-639-0986.
Off-island fireworks and July 4 revelry
Celebrations also are planned on Longboat Key and on the mainland, including:
- Sunday, July 3, fireworks at LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton, will follow the Bradenton Marauders baseball game. The game will begin at 6:30 p.m.
For more information, call the box office at 941-747-3031.
- July 3, Fireworks on the Lake will begin about 9 p.m. at Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. For more information, go online to nathanbendersonpark.org.
- July 4, 9 a.m., the Rotary Club of Longboat Key presents the Hot Diggity Dog Parade and Contest, beginning at Truist Bank, 510 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key.
The parade will coincide with the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce’s Freedom Fest, 9-11 a.m. at Bicentennial Park, 500 Bay Isles Road.
For more information, call the chamber at 941-383-2466.
- July 4, fireworks will begin after dark along the riverfront in Bradenton and Palmetto near the Green Bridge.
Additionally, the annual Fourth of July concert will be 5-10 p.m. in Sutton Park, 1036 Sixth St. W., Palmetto, and the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton, will offer special seating for the fireworks during “Red, White and Boom at the Bishop.”
For more about the museum event, 941-746-4131.
For more information about the festival, call the city of Palmetto at 941-723-4570.