FC Tampa Bay and St. Pete Ready for July 4th

The Fourth of July is always a special occasion in downtown St. Petersburg, capped off with a stunning fireworks show over Tampa Bay.

It also is a big day for local professional soccer clubs, dating back to the 1970s when the then Tampa Bay Rowdies regularly battled archrivals, the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

Monday, the two attractions come together for the first time, as FC Tampa Bay hosts the Strikers as part of the city's downtown celebration. Fans are invited to come on the Al Lang playing field after the game to watch the fireworks.

“It is Independence Day for the United States of America and they have a tradition of playing a home game on the 4^th of July,” Mayor Bill Foster said at a press conference at Al Lang Field Friday morning.

“We expect a big crowd. We want everybody…to buy a ticket, come to Al Lang, and enjoy great soccer.”

The match versus the Strikers starts at 6:00 pm, but the mayor wanted to remind fans that the Fourth festivities will begin long before kickoff.

“Events…will start around 11:30. We will have live music, face painting, strolling performers out on the Pier. The museums will be open. There will be a children’s parade in Old Northeast."

"There will be plenty of exciting things happening along the waterfront in downtown St. Petersburg.”

As for what the day means to the team, FC TB Executive Vice President and former Rowdie Perry Van Der Beck gave his opinion on the rivalry and the holiday.

“It’s a tradition of professional soccer in the Tampa Bay area to play on July 4^th. We’re looking forward to playing the Strikers. It’s a big rivalry, and all of the players are very excited.”

Mayor Foster echoed those sentiments.

“It’s kind of ingrained in people’s minds to see a soccer game and watch fireworks."

"They can get here early, enjoy some of downtown, watch the whole game, hit the fireworks and then go back out and celebrate.”

For ticket information to the game, visit the FC Tampa Bay website.