Clearwater 4th of July: What You Need to Know

Tampa Bay area residents who plan to spend their July 4 holiday in the fun and sun at Clearwater Beach need to know a few things before they head out.

The city’s fireworks show is expected to light up the sky around 9:30 p.m. Saturday. The best viewing, city officials say, is at Coachman Park, 301 Drew S., where a number of activities are planned.

The Clearwater Celebrates America party gets under way at 4 p.m. when the gates at the park open. Local sports team mascots are expected to make appearances between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. The Stars and Squirts Kids’ Area will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. A “mascot dance-off” kicks off at 5:30 p.m. and the Declaration of Independence will be read aloud at 6:45 p.m.

Music lovers will also find a special concert on tap Saturday. The Coachman Park Pops Orchestra, featuring the Wilsons, takes the stage for a free show at 7:30 p.m.

To accommodate the festivities, the city has announced the Memorial Causeway Bridge will close to pedestrian and vehicle traffic from about 9 to 10 p.m. The fireworks are expected to last about 22 minutes.

Visitors to Clearwater are warned to expect traffic congestion and to be mindful that plenty of law enforcement officers will be out on the beach on foot, on bicycles and in patrol cars.

“They will be keeping a close eye out for those who violate the city’s ban on alcohol at the beach,” an email from the police department warns. “The city’s lifeguards also stress the importance of swimming only in designated areas where they can keep an eye on those who are in the water. Proper hydration is important as well as heat-index readings will soar above 100 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.”

For more information about Clearwater Celebrates America, visit the city’s website.