4th Of July Red, White And Boom Celebration Returns To Tampa

TAMPA, FL — After canceling last year's festivities due to the coronavirus pandemic, the city of Tampa is celebrating Independence Day with a bang this year as Boom by the Bay returns.

Mayor Jane Castor first sparked the tradition of Boom by the Bay in 2019 to create a festive atmosphere where neighbors across the city can come together to celebrate the Fourth of July as a community. More than 200,000 people attended the inaugural event, which featured Florida's largest Independence Day fireworks display.

This year it's back and bigger than ever this year with more fireworks along Tampa's waterfront.

The festivities will kick off on Sunday, July 4, with a July 4 Boat Parade and Blessing of the Fleet presented by Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk starting at 5 p.m.

The parade route will be similar to the holiday light boat parade but will include three blessing stations. The Blessing of the Fleet is a tradition that began years ago but is still practiced in many fishing and boating communities around the world to ensure a safe and bountiful season.

Boats will be decorated in colorful flags and compete for first, second and third place in the small/motorboat and large/sailboat competitions for the most patriotic boat.

Click here to register to participate and to learn more about becoming a sponsor.

The parade will begin in the Tampa Convention Center basin, travel to the Heights and end at Sparkman Wharf. Public viewing locations include the Armature Works, Channelside Drive, the Tampa Convention Center, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Davis Islands, Harbour Island, Sparkman Wharf and Water Works Park.

Following the boat parade, Boom by the Bay programming will begin at 7 p.m.with family-friendly activities spanning six waterfront locations, including two new locations. Each site will feature activities for all ages, food vendors, entertainment and fireworks, which will be choreographed together and launched simultaneously at dusk (approximately 9:15 p.m.).

The six locations this year include:Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, presented by the Hard Rock; Armature Works; Tampa Convention Center; Sparkman Wharf; Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, presented by Tampa Downtown Partnership; and Bayshore Boulevard, presented by Coca-Cola Beverages Florida.

The event is free and open to the public. Event goers are reminded to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines and take advantage of sanitation stations at each location.

For information on transportation, FAQs, and more, visit the Boom by the Bay website. For Boom by the Bay updates, text BOOM to 888-777 to receive text message alerts directly to a cell phone.