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Parrotheads get patriotic

If you're looking for fun, this weekend has loads of options, including a Jimmy Buffett tribute band.

By EILEEN SCHULTE
Published June 30, 2005

Largo's Fourth of July celebration promises to be the highlight of the city's yearlong Centennial Celebration.

The entertainment starts at 6:30 p.m. Vocalist Laura Gossett will sing patriotic music, and Parrotbeach, a Jimmy Buffett tribute band, will likely perform such Buffett perennials as Margaritaville .

Fireworks start when it gets dark.

For its show this year, Largo spent about $15,000, the same amount as Dunedin. Clearwater spent $55,000; Safety Harbor, $30,000, including a $5,000 mega finale.

Despite complaints about the noise level of the music at Largo's recent Music Fest at Festival Oaks, organizers of the city's Fourth of July celebration don't expect to hear the same complaints.

"Festival Oaks is in the middle of condos and single-family homes," said Terry Moore, special events coordinator for Largo. "This is being held in Largo Central Park.

"We've never had any noise complaints in Largo Central Park. We've never had any issues."

Dunedin's show is small but mighty, said Harry Gross, Dunedin's director of leisure services.

"It plays a lot bigger because it's contained in a stadium," he said of the show, which will be at Knology Park. "People have told me they are the best fireworks they've ever seen."

Clearwater has perhaps the most elaborate Fourth of July observance with its 15th annual two-day "Clearwater Celebrates America."

Terry Schmidt, special events producer for the Clearwater Parks and Recreation Department, said he expects 12,000 people to come out for the Commodores and 18,000 to show up for John and Mary K. Wilson and the Mostly Pops Orchestra. With the exception of Lionel Richie, all the original members of the Commodores will be on hand.

The city has even added 500 feet to the main stage to accommodate the Commodores' Las Vegas-style show.

"It has become Tampa Bay's most patriotic event," said Schmidt, who founded the celebration in 1991. He said he expects 20,000 people to gather at the waterfront to watch the fireworks.

He said the pyrotechnics are visible all the way to St. Cecelia's Catholic Church on Myrtle Avenue.

In Safety Harbor, event planners were working to prevent a repeat of last year's glitch, when fireworks were delayed because the barge they were being shot from ran aground.

"This year we're launching them from the spa," said Joe Cooper, Safety Harbor's special event coordinator, referring to the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa.

The fireworks start at 9 p.m., but the free family events start at 5 p.m.

At the far end of the marina, musician David Bearce will play acoustic guitar, and Dixie Flatline will perform some rock 'n' roll.

In the 9,000-square-foot family area across from the Safety Harbor Museum of Regional History, there will be carnival rides, inflatable games, a DJ and food vendors. Admission is free, but there will be a nominal charge for the rides.

[Last modified June 30, 2005, 15:44:16]