Bradenton July 4 Fireworks, Powerboat Race, Bands: 2019 Guide

BRADENTON, FL — If you love fireworks — and who doesn't, except the occasional golden retriever and Labradoodle — we found plenty of displays that are set to light up the skies around Bradenton on July 4.

Patch is compiling a complete guide of fireworks displays, restaurant promotions and other events by location. You'll find parking and transit information below to make this your best Independence Day ever.

Meteorologist Austen Flannery told Patch that July 4 should be a good night to see fireworks after a hot day.

“It’s going to be a bit on the warm side. It looks like we’re going to get up to 93, 94 across the region tomorrow. Some of the interior regions could reach as high as feeling like 108 to 110 degrees,” Flanner said. “In terms of potential rain … it looks like we’re talking about anywhere from 30 to 60 percent chance of rain.”

BRADENTON

Independence Day With Bradenton Marauders July 3

Celebrate Independence Day early as the Bradenton Marauders host City of Bradenton Night with a spectacular fireworks display planned for after the game. In honor of the "941" area code, tickets will be priced at $9.41 and include a free Marauders hat and drink voucher. In addition, the first 1,500 fans will get a free shirt. There will also be a patriotic-themed jersey auction. The first pitch is at 6:30 p.m. The Marauders play at LECOM Park, 1611 9th St W in Bradenton. Click here to purchase tickets. The LECOM Park fireworks will be post-game, approximately 9:30 p.m. or so, after the Marauders take on the Jupiter Hammerheads on Wednesday.

Manatee River

Find the Green Bridge and you’ll find fireworks. The fireworks over the Manatee River will launch on Thursday July 4 at dark, which generally ends up being about 9 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. The bridge will be closed to pedestrian and vehicle traffic from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. The City Centre Garage will NOT be open for fireworks parking because it is an active construction zone. There will be no access to the roof of the garage, which will be enforced by the Bradenton Police Department. Parking is available at the Judicial parking garage on 12th Street, in the county garage on 10th Street and downtown where street parking is permitted.

The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

Relive the excitement of the Apollo 11 moon landing at The Bishop, which has a full lineup of special events — from talks by NASA experts to new shows exclusively created by The Bishop’s astronomers — slated for July. On July 4 “One Giant Leap,” created by our own astronomy expert, is showing daily in The Planetarium through July 31, including Independence Day. The 15-minute show, appropriate for all audiences, includes sounds and images from the launch of Sputnik — the world’s first man-made satellite sent into space by the Soviets, which also launched the race for dominance in outer space. It also includes audio and video of President Kennedy’s 1962 Rice University speech and flight segments from earlier Apollo missions amid visions of 50,000 years of human achievement. Included in the price of admission. The Bishop will be open from 10 a..m to 5 p.m. on July 4. The museum is located at 201 10th St. W. Call 941-746-4131 for information.

SARASOTA

Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular July 4

Celebrate July 4 at Island Park for a fireworks spectacular on the Fourth as Sarasota prepares to celebrate 35 years of powerboat racing history at the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix. There will be plenty of available seating all throughout Island park and along the bayfront. The fireworks light up the skies at 9 p.m. on July 4. Island Park is located at 5 Island Park Dr. in Sarasota.

“Meet & Greet Who's in the Driver's Seat” Race Team Autograph Signing Event July 5

Come to the Hyatt Regency Ballroom on Friday, July 5 to meet the powerboat racers ahead of the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix. The event takes place from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. The hotel is located at 1000 Boulevard of the Arts in Sarasota.

Car and Motorcycle Show July 6

This event takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Rossiter's Harley-Davidson, 330 Cattlemen Road in Sarasota. The show entry fee is $5 for the motorcycles and $10 for the cars.

"Boats on the Block" Block Party July 6

This free event provides a great photo opportunity for the entire family to see the powerboats up close. The block party takes place on Orange Avenue to Gulfstream Avenue and S. Palm Avenue from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Leave your coolers at home.

Powerboat Races July 7

Race fans can expect to see more teams compete this year while taking advantage of an expanded viewing area along Lido Beach. The races take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 400 Benjamin Franklin Drive. The event is free but you can opt for a paid VIP experience at Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach. Sarasota is one of six race sites for the 2019 Offshore Powerboat Association Offshore Championship Series.

CBS Sports and Fox Sports will feature a one-hour post-race program of the race. CBS will air its coverage on Sunday, August 4, at 3 p.m. eastern. Fox Sports has not yet announced an air date, but the show will air sometime in August. A live stream of the race will be shown here.

Suncoast Charities for Children continues to be the driving force behind all the events associated with the festival and is the only race site run entirely by a local non-profit charity. Donations of any amount are welcome.

Related festival events also include:

• 4th Annual Bob Rizi Memorial Golf Classic on June 29
• Boat and Personal Watercraft "Fun Run" on June 30
• Bayfront Grand Prix Kickoff Party July 3

Presenting sponsors for the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival include Visit Sarasota and Sarasota County. Major sponsors include Budweiser, City of Sarasota, Ocean Properties, FCCI Insurance, Hyatt Regency Sarasota, Crescent Club and Pope Golf. To purchase race day tickets, make a donation, or to learn more click here. For event updates to your mobile device text powerboats to 941-229-7774.

Florida Studio Theatre

The theater's home improv team presents "When X Meets Y: American Revolution," a special holiday improv show celebrating Independence Day. Inspired by audience suggestions and three random notes on the keyboard, members of FST Improv will weave a story of love and laughter that unfolds during the American Revolution. Just as waterfront fireworks and the local annual boat show have become Independence Day traditions in Sarasota, so has FST Improv’s special July 4 show. "When X Meets Y: American Revolution" follows a band of colonists as they fight the British, but with an exciting romantic twist. "When X Meets Y: American Revolution" will play in FST’s Bowne’s Lab Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on July 6. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased by calling FST’s Box Office at 941-366-9000, or via the website by clicking here. A full menu and bar will also be available. Doors open one hour prior to the show.

Applebee's (various locations)

On Independence Day, Applebee’s locations in Florida and Georgia will be offering families who dine-in and mention this offer a free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult entrée. Children 12 years and under have the freedom to select from a variety of delicious entrées from the Applebee’s Kids’ Menu, such as cheesy quesadillas and crunchy chicken tenders. Each kids’ meal will be accompanied by a choice of a side dish and drink. This dine-in special is available only on July 4 at locations owned and operated by Doherty Enterprises in Boynton Beach, Cape Coral, Coral Springs, Cutler Bay, Delray Beach, Doral, Estero, Florida City, Fort Myers, Fort Pierce, Greenacres, Hialeah, Jacksonville, Margate, Naples, North Port, Okeechobee, Pembroke Pines, Port St. Lucie, Punta Gorda, Royal Palm Beach, Sarasota, St. Augustine, Sunrise, Tamarac, Venice and Vero Beach.

HOLMES BEACH

Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club Fourth of July BBQ

Join Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club and its signature restaurant, Eliza Ann’s for the second annual Fourth of July BBQ co-hosted by Motorworks Brewing. The festivities take place on Thursday, July 4 on the pool deck and outdoor patio of Eliza Ann's Coastal Kitchen. For $28 per adult and $18 per child under 12, guests can enjoy a buffet menu including St. Louis Ribs, Blackened Local Catch, BBQ Chicken, Southern Potato Salad, Mango Cole Slaw and much more. Price includes one complimentary adult beverage or soft drink (Adult 21+ Tickets Only). Child ticket purchase includes one soft drink. Live entertainment and kid’s activities will also be offered with general admission. Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club is located at 5325 Marina Drive. Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 941-238-6264. For more information about events at Waterline click here.

LAKELAND

Red White & Kaboom 2019 July 3

TT.Mims Corp. Red, White & Kaboom Independence Celebration will take place at Lake Mirror along the Frances Langford Promenade on July 3 from 6 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. The City Saints will entertain the crowd ahead of a dazzling fireworks display that launches at 9 p.m. This is a free event, but organizers are asking that everyone bring at least one non-perishable food item that will be donated to Volunteers in Service to the Elderly. The City Saints blend a wide variety of pop, country and Top 40 hits with their own island vibe.

The event will also feature a number of food trucks around Lake Mirror. Bring a blanket, visit the food trucks and listen to the free concert before the fireworks being. Kevin Cook, one of the organizers of the event, said people will also be able to sign up for a watermelon-eating contest featuring several age categories around 7 p.m. when the band takes its first break. "This a fun, but messy addition," said Cook. "Rest easy because participants get rain ponchos to protect clothing and we have plenty of paper towels.” The event concludes with a dramatic display of fireworks over the lake. You can bring your own cooler but no glass bottles will be permitted. Also, no tents or beach umbrellas will be permitted. Look for #redwhiteandkaboom2019 and #RWK2019 on social media. City parking garages will be open for T.Mims Corp. Red, White & Kaboom. Click here for more information on parking.

Know of other events in the area? Post them on the Patch calendar or share details on our free Neighbor Post feature.

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