Manatee County July 4 Fireworks, Parades and More: 2018 Guide

MANATEE COUNTY, FL – There is no shortage of Fourth of July celebrations taking placing in Manatee County. Here’s a guide so you can plan your red, white and blue day.

Fireworks On The Manatee River

Come to downtown Bradenton and the Bradenton Riverwalk to enjoy dinner on Main Street or Pier 22 followed by Fireworks on the Manatee River along Barcarrota Avenue at the Riverwalk. Fireworks will be launched from a barge in the river about 9 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4.

Due in part to its longstanding relationship with the annual Bradenton Area River Regatta, Zambelli International has signed on to take over the Fourth of July fireworks show over the Manatee River.

Bradenton, Palmetto and Manatee County each pay a third of the cost for the annual show, and the three entities opted to let the previous fireworks company's contract expire while bumping up contributions for what they feel will be a better show.

"We raised it specifically because we wanted Zambelli," Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston said.

Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant said the contributions increase the total amount to about $40,000.

"We sent out a request for a quote several times over the past three years and this is the first year Zambelli responded," Bryant said. "We all decided that it was time to contribute more because we hadn't done so in 20 years.”

Bryant said tens of thousands of people are expected to turn out for the display.

"They do such a great job at the regatta and I think they really like working in this area," she said. "People also have raved about Zambelli's show because of the way they synchronize the music with the fireworks, so we are looking forward to a great show."

Charlie Daniels Pays Tribute To America

The devil is coming to Palmetto.

Legendary country music star and Grammy award-winning artist, Charlie Daniels Band, will take the stage for a free Fourth of July concert at Sutton Park, 1050 6th St. in West Palmetto July 4.

In 1979, Daniels hit the Billboard charts with his iconic dueling fiddle song, “Devil Went Down to Georgia.”

“Naturally, I am pleased this year’s artist is the one and only Charlie Daniels,” Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant said. “I am a huge fan of his and have gone to see his performances in several locations recently. He is an outstanding performer and is always a crowd pleaser. We anticipate a large turnout for him on July 4.”

The park will open at 4 p.m. with performances by other bands followed by the mayor's Pledge of Allegiance. Charlie Daniels Band will take the stage at 7 p.m.

Coquina Beach July 4 Parade

The Anna Maria Island Privateers will host its Fourth of July Privateers' Island Parade Wednesday, July 4, beginning at about 10 a.m. at Coquina Beach.

Canons will fire, beads and candies will fly and a good time will be had by all at the longest parade on an island. The parade will span the entire Island and will move on through to the Anna Maria Bayfront Park on the northern end of the Island, stretching from South Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach to the Anna Maria City Pier at the east end of Pine Avenue.

Privateers encourage entrants to show their “red, white and blue” pride and all 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 at the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, 4000 Gulf Drive at the Manatee Public Beach, Holmes Beach. The party will feature the presentation of more than $17,000 in college scholarships to local students.

There will also be an after-party at DCoy Ducks, 5410 Marina Drive.

For more information, call Kim Chauncey Boyd (931) 639-0986.

Anna Maria Island Celebrates America

While setting off your own fireworks on the island is prohibited, there is a fantastic fireworks show on Anna Maria Island that will satisfy that Fourth of July requirement.

Watch a fusion of colors explode in the sky while you sink your toes into pristine, white sand at The Sandbar Restaurant, 100 Spring Ave., Anna Maria, which has hosted the show for more than 30 years. The event takes place at their outdoor wedding pavilion at 8 p.m. The restaurant will offer a party package for the night that includes VIP seating for the show.

Since Anna Maria Island is just off the coast, you can also watch fireworks going off on the mainland over Sarasota Bay. Pick a spot on the beach on Anna Maria Island or mainland Sarasota and watch the free public fireworks display.

Marauders’ Game Plus Fireworks

You can’t get more American than baseball, so what better way to usher in Independence Day than with a baseball game?

Watch minor-league team the Bradenton Marauders take on the Palm Beach Cardinals for their Independence Day Celebration game on July 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Lecom Park stadium, 1611 9th St. W., Bradenton.

T-shirts to 1,500 lucky fans will be given away and the team will auction off a star-spangled jersey. Winners will to step up to the plate, receiving their prizes on the field. Finish off this all-American event with the ultimate Fourth of July tribute: a fireworks show sponsored by Budweiser.

Hot Diggity Dog Parade In Longboat Key

Celebrate Independence Day at the annual Freedom Fest and Hot Diggity Dog Parade on Longboat Key.

Wagons and bikes decorated in red, white and blue, firetrucks and police cars and pets will parade down Bay Isles Road starting at 8:30 a.m.

After the parade, enjoy food, activities and games at Bicentennial Park, 500 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key.

Fireworks And Buffet At Pier 22

Pier 22, 1200 1st Ave. W., Bradenton, will host a buffet, open bar and view of the Bradenton Rivervwalk fireworks on July 4.

In a salute to the red, white and starry blue, Pier 22 will celebrate America with an Independence Day pig roast and buffet. This is a single-seating event starting at 6 p.m. and ending with the fireworks finale around 9 p.m.

Reservations are strongly encouraged. Book now on the Pier 22 website or call (941) 748-8087.

Inaugural Fourth Of July BBQ & Coastal Food Fest

Eliza Ann's Coastal Kitchen, the signature restaurant at Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club, 5325 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, will host its inaugural Fourth of July BBQ & Coastal Food Fest with Motorworks Brewing.

The festivities will take place on Wednesday, July 4 from noon to 6 p.m. on the pool deck and outdoor patio of Eliza Ann's Coastal Kitchen. For $24 per adult and $18 per child under 12, guests can enjoy a buffet menu including locally caught grilled fish, Carolina gold pork ribs, picnic fried chicken, boiled blackened potatoes and andouille sausage and more.

Motorworks Brewing will also have beer selections on tap like a “Sailor’s Friend Mango Kolsch,” a specialty brewed specifically for Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club along with two other local favorites, VTwin Vienna Lager and Pulp Friction Grapefruit IPA - Gold Medalist at the 2017 Best Florida Beer Championship. There will be live entertainment by local singer/songwriter, Mike Sales and kids' activities.

Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here or by calling (941) 238-6264.

Image via Zambelli Fireworks

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