4th of July events 2008

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

fireworks

Hillsborough County

July 4, 2008 - The Florida Aquarium 4th of July

Anywhere you are in Tampa, you'll find birthday parties for the good old U.S.A. Local newspapers carry all the particulars, so you can find anything from huge Fireworks Displays... to ... `small-town' Parades and Picnics.

The Florida Aquarium, located at 701 Channelside Dr, is the site of Tampa's daylong FreedomFest. Live Music and Entertainment start in the afternoon, and end with a spectacular Fireworks Demonstration at 9 PM. More than 50,000 People turn out, but you can also view the fireworks from a variety of `less crowded' spots nearby.

Fourth of July Celebration at Channelside
615 Channelside Drive, Tampa, 33602
813-223-4250
Activities begin in the courtyard at 2 p.m. and live entertainment starts at 6 p.m. DJ's will spin tunes before and after the 9 p.m. fireworks show.

Summer Nights
Theme park celebrates summertime with extended hours until 10 p.m. Fri.Sat. and until 9 p.m. Sun.-Thur. Also special entertainment after 5 p.m. by various... Fri, Jul, 4
Venue Hours
(all dates ) $64.95, $54.95 ages 3-9. Florida resident and advance discounts... Busch Gardens 1-888-800-5447 Map It!

Brandon Blast
459 Brandon Town Center
813-661-MALL (6255).
The fourth annual Brandon Blast 4th of July celebration features entertainment and special sales throughout the mall. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Free admission.

Tampa Yankees vs.Sarasota Reds
Fri, Jul, 4
7:00 pm
(all dates ) $4-$6 George M. Steinbrenner Field (formerly Legends Field) (813) 875-7753

Pinellas County

Clearwater Celebrates America
Coachman Park, 301 Drew St., Clearwater
727-562-4700
The 18th Annual Clearwater Celebrates America will take place July 3rd and 4th in Coachman Park. Admission is FREE. Gates open Thursday, July 3rd at 4 p.m. and Friday, July 4th at 2 p.m. Entertainment Schedule: Thursday, July 3rd: BK Jackson 6:15 p.m., Paul Brown 7:30 p.m., Eric Darius 9:15 p.m. Friday, July 4th: Mostly Pops Orchestra with John & Mary K. Wilson 7:30 p.m., Fireworks 9:30 p.m.

Dunedin Concert and Fireworks
Entertainment by the 60's Groove and the Shaguars. Food and drink vendors and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Starts at 6 p.m. at Knology Park.
311 Douglass Avenue, Dunedin
(727) 812-4531

Downtown St. Petersburg Fourth of July Celebration
Straub & Vinoy Parks and The Pier.
727-821-6443
Clear Channel Radio sponsors live entertainment, family activities beginning at 2 p.m. Family fun and concerts at The Pier. Fireworks above Spa Beach are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.

Fourth of July and Largo Centennial Celebration
Largo Central Park, Largo
727-587-6775
101 Central Park Drive at East Bay Drive. Public Parking is available in both Cultural Center lots (#2 & 3) and the Library lot (#4). Bring your family, some chairs, blankets, and a patriotic spirit to make the most of this glittering and boisterous event!
7 pm - Festivities including Music, Concessions, and outdoors fun! 9 pm - Fireworks fill the sky with awe inspiring bursts of light!

Gulfport Fourth of July Celebration
Activities are located on Shore and Beach boulevards as well as Gulfport Beach.
727-893-1067
Festivities begin at 10 a.m and the day includes a sandcastle contest, games, live music, a children's pageant, a parade and of course, fireworks beginning at 9 p.m.

Safety Harbor Festival & Fireworks
Safety Habor Marina and Bayshore Boulevard, Safety Harbor
Event starts at 5 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Conessions, live entertainment, food and a children's area. Free.
727-724-1572

Tarpon Springs Fireworks
Fred Howard Park, 1700 Sunset Drive, Tarpon Springs
727-943-4081
July 4
Fireworks display will be at dusk. Parking available at park, beach and causeway.

4th Annual Dairy Inn Hot Dog Eating contest
Dairy Inn, 1201 9th Street N, St. Petersburg
July 4, 11:30 a.m.
Men, Women and Children will be eating as many Hot Dogs as they possibly can in the 10 minute time limit. The Event mirrors the famous Nathan's contest in Coney Island NY. First place winners in each of the adult divisions get $100.00 cash and their name inscribed on Dairy Inn's famous "Relish Green" belt.

King Gators Treasure Island Fourth of July Spectacular
Gators Cafe and Saloon, 12754 Kingfish Drive, Treasure Island
July 4, Noon-Midnight
Activities at Gators Cafe and Saloon begin at noon and include live music and holiday barbecue. Fireworks will be fired from an offshore barge just south of John's Pass at 9 p.m.

Major League Baseball in St. Petersburg
Exhibit celebrates 10th anniversary of inaugural MLB season. With signed uniform jerseys and baseballs, commemorative pennants, other... Fri, Jul, 4
Venue Hours
(all dates ) $12, $9 seniors and college students, $7 ages...

St. Petersburg Museum of History
335 Second Ave. NE
St. Petersburg, FL
(727) 894-1052

Dunedin Blue Jays vs. Clearwater Threshers
Minor league baseball... Fri, Jul, 4
12:00 pm
(all dates ) $6 Knology Park
373 Douglas Ave.
Dunedin, FL
(727) 733-9302

Tampa Bay Rays vs. Kansas City Royals
MLB home game.... Fri, Jul, 4
5:10 pm
(all dates ) Not prime game; tickets start at $9 in advance, $11 at the door Tropicana Field (888) 326-7297

Pasco County

Sparklebration
Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52, Dade City, 33525
352-567-6678
Parking: $5. Admission: $3 (Children under 10 free). Gates open at 4 p.m. Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. Event includes live entertainment, carnival rides, Birds of Prey show and watermelon and hot eating contest.

Manatee County

Anna Maria Island Privateers Fourth of July Parade
941-778-0181
Starts at 10 a.m. on the southern tip of Anna Maria Island at Coquina Beach and ends at the northern tip of the island at Bay Front Park, while passing through the towns of Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach and Anna Maria. Free.

Bradenton Beach Fireworks Celebration (July 3)
Beach House Restaurant, Bradenton Beach
941-778-8718
15th annual Fireworks Spectacular featuring VIP seating including an outstanding dinner, open beer & wine bar, delicious desserts and live entertainment. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.

Fourth of July Celebration
Green Bridge, Palmetto
941-721-2138
Celebrate our independence this year along the Palmetto Riverfront with live entertainment, food for all tastes and fireworks. Festivities start at 11 a.m. with fireworks scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Free admission.

Polk County

Cypress Gardens Fourth of July
6000 Cypress Gardens Blvd., Winter Haven
The park has extended hours to celebrate the 4th of July! Featuring live music on the lakeside, a night time ski show and a fireworks display you won't want to miss!
July 4
863-324-2111

Bok Tower Gardens - Independence Day concerts
1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales
863-676-1408
July 4, 1 p.m.
Special carillon concerts performed by assistant carillonneur Lee Cobb at 1 and 3 p.m. will celebrate our nation's independence. Active, retired and disabled military veterans will receive free admission with half-price admission for up to four family members.

Hernando County

3rd Annual Freedom Fest
Florida Classic Park, 5360 Lockhart Road, Brooksville
Entertainment includes Christian recording artist Matthew West and special guests Urban D, My Brother's Scars and Rob Taylor.
Featuring games, children's entertainment and food and drink.
Gates open at 3 p.m., entertainment begins at 4 p.m. and fireworks start at 9 p.m.

Summer Show
Works by David D. Dion, Thomas Hogan, Philip Kopiczkc, Anne Madsen, Lynne Simone and Kathleen Wilson. Continuing are exhibits by Just Poets, Hernando Quilters,... Fri, Jul, 4
Venue Hours
(all dates ) Free Brooksville City Hall Art Gallery
201 Howell Ave.
Brooksville, FL
(352) 544-5407

July Fourth Celebration
Weeki Wachee Springs Water Park, Weeki Wachee
352-596-2062
Starts at noon. Food and family fun for all. Fireworks display will light up the sky in the City of Live Mermaids at dusk.

Citrus County:

Patriotic Evening (July 3)
Wallace Brooks & Liberty parks, Inverness
352-726-3913
Free admission and parking. The fun begins at 5 p.m. with children's games, rides and food. Spectacular fireworks to follow.

Outside Bay area

SeaWorld AfterDark
Summer rock 'n' roll extravaganza with Shamu Rocks killer whale show, nighttime waterski show, music by DJs and... Fri, Jul, 4
Venue Hours
(all dates ) $67.95 adults, $57.95 ages 3-9. Florida resident discounts... SeaWorld Toll-free 1-800-327-2424

Universal Studios Fourth of July
Universal Studios Orlando
407-224-4233
The theme park celebrates the holiday with an All-American Barbecue, live bands and street performers.
July 4, 5 - 9 p.m. Regular park hours in operation.