Red, white and hot
With water cannons blazing in the summer heat, Anna Maria Island Privateers pilot their flagship Skullywag up Marina Drive in Holmes Beach during the annual Fourth of July Parade and Water Fight. The parade began at about 10 a.m. July 4 at Coquina Beach and traversed the length of Anna Maria Island, south to north, ending at the Anna Maria City Pier, 100 N. Bay Blvd. Islander Photos: Robert Anderson
Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie and friends of the Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island ride with the Anna Maria Island Privateers in their Fourth of July Parade. Islander Photos: Robert Anderson
Addy Sulzberger, right, 15, sister Shaylei, 13, Mia Walker, 12 and sister Emerson, 7, fire off their water guns during the Anna Maria Island Privateers Fourth of July Parade and Water Fight.
Amelia Rolon, 6, of Georgia, is ready to celebrate Independence Day on Anna Maria Island as the Anna Maria Island Privateers Fourth of July Parade and Water Fight rolls by in the background. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson
Not all entries in the Anna Maria Island Privateers Fourth of July Parade and Water Fight are motorized floats. One rider pedaled his way into Holmes Beach on a holiday-themed bicycle.
Roser Church joins the Anna Maria Island Privateers Fourth of July Parade decked out with flags, dogs and a pickleball match ongoing in the truck bed.
Jean Henderson, left, her husband Chris and friend Paula Maffei of Bradenton enjoy their first island parade — the Anna Maria Island Privateers Fourth of July Parade and Water Fight.
Decked out in flags and sporting a water-gun toting passenger this Slingshot is outfitted for the Anna Maria Island Privateers Fourth of July Parade and Water Fight.
The Nathan Benderson Park Veterans Dragon Boat crew shows patriotism during the Anna Maria Island Privateers Fourth of July Parade. The crew, made up of Armed Forces veterans, belongs to a competitive boat paddling club. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson
A local counterpart to the Anna Maria Island Privateers, Ye Mystic Krewe of the Santa Margarita, pilot their namesake ship up Marina Drive in Holmes Beach in the Anna Maria Island Privateers Fourth of July Parade and Water Fight. The group’s mission is centered around charitable sponsorship and community service, like the Privateers. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson
The Anna Maria Island Privateers make their way up Gulf Drive toward the roundabout in Bradenton Beach on their south-to-north push past celebrants along the path to Anna Maria — an annual Fourth of July tradition. Islander Photo: Jacob Merrifield