ANNA MARIA ISLAND - The City of Anna Maria is predicting record-breaking numbers of travelers this 4th of July weekend.
What You Need To Know
- Many festivities canceled, but huge number of visitors expected
- Vacation properties report being booked
- Most hotels saying they have no vacancies, either
“It’s going to be the biggest Fourth of July attendance I think we’ve ever had,“ says Carol Carter, Anna Maria City Commissioner.
Their biggest attendance — even with most festivities canceled.
“We are definitely concerned,“ Carter said.
City commissioners were so concerned, in fact, that they've extended the mask ordinance currently in place to help prevent community spread of coronavirus for another week. They also doubled the number of police officers on duty this weekend to enhance public safety.
Anna Maria Island is around seven miles long, but thousands of families are flocking to enjoy their first holiday with businesses opened up.
“This coming weekend we are pretty much booked solid,“ says Bill Annis, Owner of Island Vacation Properties.
Annis and his team manage over 200 rental homes on the island— and say he’s having to turn people away.
“Literally the floodgates opened and just bookings poured in,“ says Annis.
Most hotels reported they have they no vacancies either.
“The end of July and August are looking pretty good for us,“ says Annis.