Fireworks in Tampa Bay: Where to Catch the Shows

Tampa Bay area residents looking for ways to celebrate the 4th of July will find communities throughout the region are pulling out all the stops.

Here’s a roundup of events, including fireworks and parades, planned this weekend. Keep in mind this is not a complete list. If you know of more events, be sure to let your neighbors know about them by commenting below.

Hillsborough County

• Busch Gardens – The park plans to light up the skies over its 10165 N. McKinley Drive location at 9 p.m. The park will remain open until midnight, as well. Visit the park online for more details.
• Channelside – Two nights of fireworks are planned in this Tampa entertainment hub. The fun kicks off at 8 p.m. both Friday and Saturday at 615 Channelside Drive. For more details, visit www.channelsidebayplaza.com.
• Plant City – This eastern Hillsborough community’s celebration takes place at the 1810 E. Park Road Saturday. The fun starts around 6 p.m. with live music, a military salute and a chance drawing. Parking costs $5. A fireworks show caps off the event. Visit www.plantcitygov.com for more details.
• Lutz – This community throws a good, old-fashioned festival each year complete with a parade and the election of a new “Guv’na.” The fun starts at 10 a.m. around the Lutz Branch Library, 101 Lutz-Lake Fern Road.
• Brandon Blast – Set to take place at the Brandon Westfield Town Center, 459 Brandon Town Center, this event features music, dining and more, along with a fireworks display. The blast kicks off at 6 p.m. with fireworks later in the evening.
• Temple Terrace – This community’s Independence Day Parade hits the road at 10 a.m. Saturday and runs until noon. It starts at the corner of Whiteway Drive and Gillette Avenue. From there, the parade heads south on Gilette, west on Druid Hills and then south down Ridgedale Road to the sports complex. Fireworks are also planned over the golf course around 9:15 p.m.

Pinellas County

• St. Petersburg – Downtown St. Pete comes alive with “Fireworks Across the Bay.” This event kicks off at 9 p.m. and can be viewed from most of the city’s parks.
• Largo – This community will “Light up the Park” with music, a military tribute, live performances and more starting at 6 p.m. The fun takes place at Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive.
• Safety Harbor – A parade kicks off along Main Street at 10 a.m.
• Gulfport – This community has an all-day celebration planned with a morning kids’ derby fishing event and fireworks later in the evening. For more details, visit www.mygulfport.us.
• Clearwater – This town’s celebration takes place at Coachman Park, 301 Drew St., and includes kids’ activities, a mascot dance off, a live reading of the Declaration of Independence, an orchestra performance and fireworks. The fun starts at 4 p.m. with fireworks around 9:30 p.m.

Pasco

• Dade City – Sparklebration takes place at the 36722 State Road 52 Pasco County Fairgrounds. The cost is $5 to enter and $5 for parking. The fun starts at 3 p.m. Saturday with children’s activities, a hot dog eating contest and more. Visit www.pascocountyfair.com for more details.
• Wesley Chapel – The Freedom Festival takes place at The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive. The fun starts at 4 p.m. Friday with fireworks after the sun sets.

Sarasota

The “Fireworks Spectacular over Sarasota Bay” kicks off at 9 p.m. Saturday. The lightshow can be seen from just about anywhere in downtown. To find out more, visit www.visitsarasota.org.

Manatee

The Pier 22 annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration takes place at 1200 First Ave. W. The cost is $69.95 for adults and $19.95 for kids ages 11 and younger at the eatery. Call 941-748-8087 for reservations.

Know of other events taking place in the Bay? Be sure to add them by commenting below!

Patch file photo