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Get Away

Fourth of July festivities

By TIMES STAFF WRITER
Published June 29, 2006

PINELLAS

Downtown St. Petersburg

Music and family fun, noon-11 p.m. at the Pier, 800 Second Ave. NE. Includes Live and Let Die McCartney Tribute Band (3:30 p.m.) and the Suncoast Band (7:30 and 9:30 p.m.); and country artists Tuf Luck (4 p.m.), Taylor Swift (6:50 p.m.) and Jeff Bates (7:45 p.m.) presented by WFUS-FM 103.5. Also WSSR-FM 95.7 and WFLZ-FM 93.3 broadcast from Vinoy Park beginning at 3 p.m., with family activities, teen games and sports, more. And entertainment in Straub Park, also 3 p.m., by WMTX-FM 100.7, with music, kids' activities and paratrooper landing (6:45 p.m.). Both parks in area of Fifth Avenue NE and Bayshore Drive. Fireworks at 9 p.m., visible from waterfront. (727) 893-7441. Free.

Clearwater Celebrates America

Gates open at 2 p.m. with the Mostly Pops Orchestra and John and Mary K. Wilson, 7:30 p.m., and fireworks, 9:30 p.m. Coachman Park, Drew and Cleveland streets, downtown Clearwater. (727) 562-4800. Free.

Largo Fourth

Family celebration with reggae by Verdict and fireworks. 6-10 p.m. Largo Central Park, Seminole Boulevard and East Bay Drive. No pets, coolers, alcohol or personal fireworks or sparklers permitted in park. Blankets and lawn chairs okay. Free parking and shuttle from Largo High School and Pinellas County School Board lots. (727) 587-6775. Free.

Gulfport Celebration

Features Kids Star-Spangled Fishing Derby, 8-11 a.m.; Optimist Club sandcastle contest, 10 a.m.-noon; children's activities, noon-8 p.m.; and Radio Disney, 2-5 p.m. Also music, craft and food vendors, noon-10 p.m.; auto show, noon-4 p.m.; and community parade, 7 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m. All in downtown Gulfport waterfront area, on Beach Boulevard and at Gulfport Casino, 5500 Shore Blvd. S. (727) 893-1067. Free.

Kenneth City/Lealman Fourth

Parade starts at 9 a.m. at 54th Avenue and 62nd Street N, heads east on 54th to 58th Street, then south to 46th Avenue. Carnival with kids' games and free hot dogs, snow cones, popcorn, cotton candy and drinks follows, 9:45 a.m., 4600 58th St. N. (727) 526-5650, ext. 549. Free.

St. Pete Beach Fireworks

City-sponsored display at 9 p.m. at the County Park area, 4700 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, with parking at county park lot (space limited). Visible from along St. Pete Beach. (727) 363-9207. Free.

Treasure Island Fireworks

9 p.m. from 112th Avenue and Gulf Boulevard, north of Municipal Beach. (727) 547-4575. Free.

Madeira Beach Fireworks

9 p.m. at Recreation Department ballfield behind City Hall, 300 Municipal Drive. Fireworks can be viewed from City Hall, the Recreation Department area, American Legion Drive, Madeira Shopping Plaza and Madeira Beach Middle School. (727) 391-3400 or (727) 391-9951. Free.

Safety Harbor Fourth

Celebration features Family Zone with music, games, character appearances and more, across from Safety Harbor Museum of Regional History, 329 S Bayshore Blvd. (small fee for some activities). Also music by reggae and Caribbean band Impulse, 5-7 p.m., and patriotic salute by 12-piece Buddy Verdi Orchestra, 7:30-9 p.m., on stage at end of Safety Harbor Marina, near the bay. Hours: 5-9 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m., with best viewing from the marina and the back lawn at Safety Harbor Resort and Spa. (727) 724-1572. Free.

Tarpon Springs Fireworks

Begins at dusk. Fireworks launched from Sunset Park Beach on Gulf Road; best viewing spot is Fred H. Howard Park, 1700 Sunset Drive, Tarpon Springs. No personal fireworks or sparklers permitted in park. (727) 943-4081. Free.

HILLSBOROUGH

Shriners Fourth of July Parade

One-mile (four-hour) parade on Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa, in conjunction with their international convention. Billed as the "largest parade in the U.S.," the event moves to a different city each year. With 1,500 Shriners, including clowns, jesters and Keystone Kops, funny cars and antique and classic autos, marching bands, Scottish Highlanders and horse patrols; also more than 150 members of three Gasparilla Krewes. Begins at 2 p.m. at Bayshore and Bay to Bay boulevards and ends at Rome Street. No coolers or alcohol permitted; vendors on site. (813) 281-8162. Free.

Channelside Fourth

With music by the On Que Players, 5-9 p.m., family entertainment with stiltwalker, balloon sculptor, face painting and more, 6-9 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. launched from a barge in Garrison Channel, and music by DJ afterward. Fireworks can be viewed from Cotanchobee Park, Explore a Shore at the Florida Aquarium (admission special, $10 after 4 p.m.), Marriott Waterside, S.S. American Victory and other locations. (813) 223-4250 or (813) 273-4000. Free.

Brandon Blast

Military Appreciation and Community Celebration on grounds at Westfield Brandon. Features children's patriotic parade and other kids' activities beginning at 4 p.m., military salute at 6 p.m., followed by music by Weszt and Sweet Spot; fireworks at 9 p.m. 459 Brandon Town Center (off Interstate 75 and State Road 60), Brandon. (813) 661-6255 or www.westfield.com. Free.

Plant City Fourth

Celebration for the family with kids' games, crafts, sports and more, stage entertainment throughout the afternoon, military recognition ceremony, arts and crafts vendors, concert by the Simmons Brothers and fireworks. Seating limited and early arrival suggested. No coolers, pets, alcohol permitted. Parking opens at 4 p.m., gates open at 5 p.m., fireworks at 9 p.m. Plant City Stadium, 1810 E Park Road. (813) 659-4255 or www.plantcitygov.com/rec. Free admission; parking, $2.

Lutz Independence Day

Celebration begins with Lutz Independence Day Run at 8 a.m.; also cake-bake, community parade, 10 a.m.; and firemen's barbecue, 11 a.m. All at U.S. 41 and Lutz-Lake Fern Road. (813) 949-7481. Free.

NORTH SUNCOAST

Sparklebration

Family celebration in Pasco County with entertainment, fireworks, inflatable games, animal show by Lowry Park Zoo, watermelon, hot dog and apple pie-eating contests, strolling patriotic characters and food court. Gates open at 4 p.m., with fireworks at 9 p.m., Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52, Dade City. Chairs and blankets okay; no personal fireworks, alcohol or coolers. (352) 567-6678. $3 adults, ages 10 and younger free; parking $5.

Weeki Wachee Springs Fourth and Fireworks

Weeki Wachee Springs and Buccaneer Bay Waterpark open 10 a.m.-8 p.m., with fireworks at dusk (approximately 9:15 p.m.). 6131 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee. (352) 596-2062 or www.weekiwachee.com. Admission special for the day: $13.95, $8.95 ages 3-10.

Dunnellon Boomtown Blast

Family celebration with entertainment, food vendors and fireworks. Activities begin at 5 p.m. with fireworks about 9:30 p.m. Tiger Field at Dunnellon High School, SW 180th Avenue Road, between State Road 484 and State Road 40, Dunnellon. (352) 465-8595. $2 parking donation.

[Last modified July 3, 2006, 21:37:11]