Clearwater Celebrates America 2016: What to Know Before You Go

Clearwater, FL – The skies around Tampa Bay will be filled with fireworks soon in celebration of the United States’ 240th Independence Day on July 4, 2016.

Leading the pack again this year will be Clearwater Celebrates America, which touts the largest fireworks display in the Tampa Bay area. Here’s what area residents need to know before you go to Clearwater Celebrates America 2016:

Date and Time

Clearwater Celebrates America will take place Monday, July 4 beginning at 4 p.m. The Spark the Sky fireworks display is scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free.

Location

The celebration will take place at Coachman Park, 301 Drew St. in Clearwater. There is public parking at the park and limited metered parking available nearby. Click here for a map of downtown Clearwater’s parking facilities.

Road Closures

The Memorial Causeway Bridge will close 30 minutes before the fireworks begin and will not be reopened until after the fireworks are over and the bridge is inspected.

Fireworks

Spark the Sky is orchestrated by Pyrotecnico, a fireworks technical company with 120 years of experience. This year’s show will include nautical shell fireworks in the synchronized show. Nautical shells are fired down into the water, and rise to the surface in a glittering explosion.

Guest Speaker

The event’s 2016 guest speaker will be Chief Master Sgt. Melanie Noel from MacDill Air Force Base.

Thanks for Armed Forces and Veterans

This year, Clearwater Celebrates America will feature an area where guests will be able to create thank you cards that will be delivered to our service men and women. Visitors can also sign a banner for veterans, thanking them for their service.

Schedule of Events

The schedule of events for Clearwater Celebrates America is:

• 4 p.m. – Gates open, food and specialty item vendors open
• 4 to 8 p.m. – Stars and Squirts Kid’s Zone open
• 4 p.m. – Tampa native and Nashville recording artist Aubrey Wollett performs
• 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. – Annual Mascot Parade, featuring mascots from around the Clearwater area
• 5:30 p.m. – Clearwater natives The Ries Brothers perform
• 7:30 p.m. – Patriotic concert featuring The Coachman Park Pops Orchestra featuring The Wilsons.
• 9:30 p.m. – Spark the Sky fireworks display

For more information, visit www.myclearwater.com/events.

Image via the City of Clearwater website

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