2009 festivities
Pinellas celebrates Fourth of July
By LEE CLARK ZUMPE AND SUZETTE PORTER
| Article published on Monday, June 22, 2009 |
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![[Image]](/content_images/062209_lefest-01.jpg) |
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| Photo courtesy of THE CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG |
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| Fireworks light the skies over The Pier in downtown St. Petersburg in one of the area’s Fourth of July celebrations. |
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Even before the sun goes down and fireworks light up the night skies over Pinellas County marking Independence Day 2009, festivities will be underway.
The Fourth of July commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, the document in which American colonies effectively declared independence from Great Britain. To celebrate the event, displays of fireworks, parades, concerts and other events are planned. Following is a summary of some of the scheduled events.
Clearwater
• Clearwater Celebrates America, the city’s annual Independence Day celebration, is Saturday, July 4, in Coachman Park, 301 Drew St.
The festival is free and features the Mostly Pops Orchestra with John and Mary K. Wilson, fireworks, a craft show, children’s activities, food and drink concessions. Gates will open at 4 p.m. The Mostly Pops Orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m., followed by fireworks at 9:30 p.m. The Memorial Causeway Bridge will be closed from approximately 9:15 to 10:15 p.m. for the fireworks. Expect traffic delays as a result of the bridge closure. Call 562-4700.
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium hosts its first-ever 4th of July celebration Saturday, July 4, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. The family event includes food, live music, fun activities for kids and special Independence Day-themed dolphin shows. Admission to CMA is $11 for adults, $9 for seniors (ages 60 and over) and $7.50 for kids (ages 3-12). Picnic fare will be available for purchase at an additional $5 for adults and $4 for kids. Visit www.SeeWinter.com.
Dunedin
• The city of Dunedin Parks and Recreation Department, Williams Entertainment and the Nielsen Company presents Dunedin Hometown USA on Friday, July 3, at Dunedin Stadium, 373 Douglas Ave., Dunedin. Gates open at 6 p.m.
The free event features live music by DeLei’ed Parrots and an appearance by the award-winning and Grammy nominated children’s performer Shana Banana. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to dress tropical-style for this Parrot Head Party. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the concession stand. Coolers, food, personal fireworks and pets will not be permitted.
Gulfport
• The city of Gulfport is hosting a full-day "Red, White and Blue" Fourth of July celebration beginning with a Kid's Fishing Derby from 8 to 11 a.m. followed by a free family sandcastle building contest on the beach from 10 a.m. to noon. A variety of additional free kid-friendly activities continue on the beach from noon to 6 p.m.
The annual car show is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Beach Boulevard South. At 5 p.m., 60sGroove takes the stage and the community parade begins at 6 p.m. and travels south down Beach Boulevard to the Gulfport Casino. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. Throughout the day, vendors will offer arts, crafts, food and more.
The trolley will run to and from designated parking places, including the library, 5501 28th Ave. S; Senior Center and theater, 5501 27th Ave. S.; Hoyt Field, 2306 56th St. S.; Chase Park, 54th St. S.; and Ted Phillips Wood Ibis Park, 58th St. S., from 4 to 11 p.m. A number of street will be closed beginning at 6 a.m., including Beach Boulevard, Shore Boulevard, along with the parade route from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. For more information, call Gail Biron at 893-1118.
Largo
• The city of Largo's free Fourth of July Celebration is Saturday, July 4, 7 to 10 p.m., at Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive, Largo. The event kicks off at 7 p.m. with a disc jockey playing music and pumping up the crowd. The fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. Festival food will be available for purchase from concessionaires. Alcohol, pets, personal fireworks and sparklers will not be permitted. Visit www.largoevents.com.
Madeira Beach
• A 20 to 30 minute fireworks show featuring 3,938 rounds will be set off from the Madeira Beach city recreation park on Rex Place next to the city hall complex, 300 Municipal Drive.
North Redington Beach
• The annual Fourth of July Parade and associated festivities kicks off on Saturday, July 4, 9 a.m., at Addie Graham Park on 173rd Avenue, North Redington Beach. The parade will include sheriff’s cars and fire engines, convertible cronies and the imaginative work of the average citizen. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated entry. Attendees are welcome to join the parade anywhere along the route from the starting point to the destination at Harold Radcliffe Park. The fun continues at the park. Hot dogs and snow cones, cupcakes and a balloon twister as well as water and soft drinks will be available for purchase. This year’s event also will introduce a history quiz for kids of all ages, with prizes awarded to the winners.
Pinellas Park
• Freedom Fest, a free, annual community event, is on Friday, July 3, 2 to 10 p.m.; and Saturday, July 4, noon to 10 p.m., at the England Brothers Band Shell, 5120 80th Ave. N., Pinellas Park. The event features performances by popular, contemporary musical artists and fireworks as it celebrates community, family, spirit and freedom. Friday’s lineup includes Christian music performers and will conclude with a fireworks display. On Saturday, secular music acts take the stage and the festivities will culminate with a laser light show. For information, visit www.bayareaentertainmentonline.com.
Redington Shores
• Thanks to the work of the eight-member Redington Shores Fireworks Committee, the rockets’ red glare will once again be seen over the town in a fireworks display on Saturday, July 4, shortly after dusk in the county park at 182nd Avenue and Gulf Boulevard.
Budget cutbacks resulted in a cancellation of the event last year. This year, the town supplemented its $9,000 fireworks budget with more than $3,000 in donation from area businesses and residents.
St. Pete Beach
• Fireworks will be launched along the Gulf of Mexico beginning at dusk. Watch the free show at the St. Pete Beach Access Park, 4700 Gulf Blvd.
St. Petersburg
• Amanda Overmyer, a finalist from the 2008 season of “American Idol,” is the featured performer at the Rock ’n Wings concert on July 4, at the Albert Whitted Airport on First Street and Fifth Avenue South, St. Petersburg. Gates open at 3 p.m. Overmyer is touring the country promoting her new CD “Solidify” which showcases her classic rock/Southern rock style. Also appearing will be the Greg Billings Band and alternative rockers Drew Street Mary. The event will include music, classic cars and aircraft displays.
Attendees are encouraged to bring beach chairs, blankets, hats and sunscreen. Pets and coolers will not be permitted. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Produced by Albert Whitted Airfest Inc., a nonprofit group whose profits benefit local charities, admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and younger will be admitted free. Onsite parking is $5. Free parking will be available for motorcycles. Visit www.rockwingsconcert.com.
• The city of St. Petersburg, The Pier and Clear Channel Radio presents the Fourth of July Extravaganza on Saturday, July 4, 1 p.m., at The Pier, 800 Second Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg.
The event includes a performance by the Cool Daddies from 1 to 4 p.m., face painting by Joanne Conte for a nominal charge, a visit from “George Washington” from 1 to 3 p.m., alternating character appearances from Fritzy One Man Circus from 3 to 8 p.m., a drum circle from 4 to 5 p.m., and a Tampa Bay Rays “watch party” at 8 p.m.
A fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m. The event is free. Call 821-6443 or visit www.stpetepier.com.
Treasure Island
• The inaugural Fourth of July Constitution Boat Parade and Rally is Saturday, July 4, noon to 6 p.m., at Gator’s Café, 12754 Kingfish Drive, Treasure Island. The free event celebrates Independence Day and the U.S. Constitution.
Festivities include music, prize drawings, guest speakers, a visit from “George Washington,” and a patriotic boat parade, sailing through John’s Pass between Madeira Beach and Treasure Island just after 3 p.m. Boats best representing an article or amendment of the U.S. Constitution will be recognized.
The first place winner will receive $500 and the second place winner will earn $200. A children’s What the Constitution Means to Me writing contest also will be judged and there will be drawing contest. Call 581-3908 or visit www.constitutionparade.com.
• Beach Blast is Friday and Saturday, July 3 and 4, on the beach behind the Bilmar Beach Resort, Treasure Island. On Friday, Upfront will perform from 5 to 9 p.m. On Saturday, the Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Band will perform from noon to 2:30 p.m.; Upfront will perform from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.; and Motel Funk will perform from 6 to 9 p.m. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. Parking will be available on the beach for $10 from 4 to 10 p.m. on Friday, and from noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday. Visit www.mytreasureisland.org.
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Article published on Monday, June 22, 2009
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