Listen for the “boom.”
The Fourth of July brings blasts from the cannons in the Anna Maria Island Privateers Independence Day Parade and bursts of fireworks — on the Gulf beaches, along the river, beside the bay and in the ballpark.
The two major island events for the holiday occur on Monday, July 4, with the parade at 10 a.m. and the fireworks after sunset.
The Beach House Restaurant, 200 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach, canceled its annual July 3 fireworks out of concern for nearby nesting shorebirds.
Red, white and blue parade
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 scholarship awards ceremony and party at the Ugly Grouper, 5704 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.
The party will feature food specials, musical entertainment and the presentation of more than $11,000 in college scholarships to local students.
For more information, call Marty Lease at 941-209-2122 or visit the Privateers’ website at amiprivateers.org.
Fireworks extravaganza
The annual “Fireworks Extravaganza” at the Sandbar will take place after dark July 4.
The restaurant, 100 Spring Ave., Anna Maria, will host a party with reserved seating for diners and live music.
The fireworks show will be staged at the restaurant with ample room on the beach for the public to view and celebrate the holiday.
Other holiday happenings
On Longboat Key, the Freedom Fest will be July 4. The celebration will take place 9-11 a.m. in Bicentennial Park, 2730 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key.
An announcement said, “Put your red, white and blue outfits on and decorate your cars, bikes, strollers, wagons, scooters, golf carts and your pets and march down and around Bay Isles Road on Longboat Key.”
For more information, call the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce at 941-383-2466.
In Bradenton, the Marauders, a Minor League Baseball team, will celebrate the holiday Saturday, July 2, during a 6:30 p.m. game at McKechnie Field, 1611 Ninth St. W.
The Marauders will take the field against the Charlotte Stone Crabs wearing red, white and blue jerseys.
The first 1,500 fans will receive a T-shirt.
After the game, there will be a fireworks show presented by Zambelli Fireworks.
For more information, call 941-747-3031.
Palmetto will celebrate the holiday with Fourth Festival, featuring food vendors and musical entertainment in Lamb and Sutton Park, 1050 Sixth St. W.
Highlights include a 7 p.m. free concert by the rock band Smash Mouth and fireworks on the Manatee Riverfront.
For more information, call 941-723-4988.
A fireworks display also will take place July 4 on the waterfront in downtown Sarasota, with the best viewing offered at Island and Bayfront parks.