Red, White & Boom Celebrations Light Up Skies All Over Florida: SouthFlorida.com

With the Fourth of July falling on a Friday this year, it is ideal for a long weekend getaway highlighted by Independence Day celebrations, which are as abundant as the bursts of color of mega fireworks displays.With the Fourth of July falling on a Friday this year, it is ideal for a long weekend getaway highlighted by Independence Day celebrations, which are as abundant as the bursts of color of mega fireworks displays.
Here is some of what's on tap for this July 4 at many of Florida's popular destinations. Bring the family, sit back, relax, grab a bag of popcorn and enjoy!

Florida Keys
Among the festivities in the Keys are the annual fireworks at Blackwater Sound. The show is slated for 9 p.m. bayfront in Key Largo. Good viewing options include Sundowners and Senior Frijoles restaurants, Caribbean Club and Marriott Key Largo Bay Resort, all located around Mile Marker 104 bayside.
The 33rd annual Fourth of July Parade, themed to Freedom Shines on the Florida Keys, kicks off at 10 a.m. from the parking lot at Anthony's Clothing Store, Mile Marker 98.2.
Independence Day at Holiday Isle, on Mile Marker 84 oceanside, includes live music and a fireworks display at 9 p.m.

Founders Park, on Mile Marker 87 on Plantation Key, is the site of an annual celebration with activities for kids, teens, parents and dogs.
Marathon puts on a patriotic parade, starting on U.S. Highway 1 and proceeding along Sombrero Beach Road (Mile Marker 50 oceanside) to Sombrero Beach where a picnic celebration will feature food, beverages, kids' crafts and entertainment that will lead into the evening's fireworks display.
The Lower Keys Rotary Club's annual fireworks show will take place at Sugarloaf Airport, Mile Marker 17 bayside on Sugarloaf Key, adjacent to the Bat Tower. Live music, food, beverages and games and activities for adults and children will be featured. Fireworks are set off at 9 p.m. Admission is free.
Key West's 24th annual July 4 Picnic benefits Hospice of the Florida Keys and the Visiting Nurse Association at the Casa Marina Resort and Beach Club, 1500 Reynolds St. The festivities, including music and games, start at 5 p.m. with fireworks over the Atlantic beginning at 9 p.m. The buffet offers burgers, hot dogs and fixings, watermelon, popcorn and drinks at $20 for adults and $10 for children. Visitors can opt for reserved beachfront seats and a fresh seafood buffet for $100 per person. Admission without partaking of the buffets is $5 per person.
For information about the Florida Keys including events, visit www.fla-keys.com.

Fort Myers/Sanibel
Among the festivities to choose from are Fireworks at Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier and Times Square beginning at dusk, and Riverfest, a celebration at Centennial Park starting at 5:30 p.m. with live music, children's activities and a charity raffle. Admission is free, and food will be available for purchase. Fireworks follow over the river at 9:15 p.m.
Cape Coral presents the Red, White and Boom Celebration, a street party on Cape Coral Parkway. The parkway shuts down to traffic between the Cape Coral Bridge and Del Prado Boulevard beginning at 4 p.m. for the festivities. Four bands entertain on two stages, and a carnival keeps youngsters entertained. Fireworks light up the skies at dusk.
On Sanibel, the Island Fourth of July Celebration includes an old-fashioned hometown parade down Periwinkle Way starting at 9:30 a.m. (including gifts, candy and cool-down water spraying by parade participants for the spectators). And a fireworks display greets the coming of nightfall at the Sanibel Causeway. Visit www.fortmyers-sanibel.com.

Jacksonville
Metropolitan Park sets the scene for Freedom, Fanfare and Fireworks, an evening of entertainment to mark the Fourth, followed by Skyblast, billed as the First Coast's most spectacular fireworks over the St. Johns River. Metropolitan Park is at 1410 Gator Blvd. Admission is free.
The Liberty Celebration features fireworks from the Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier beginning at 9:30 p.m. Admission is free. For details on these and other events and area information, visit www.visitjacksonville.com.

Milton
Riverfest at the Milton Riverwalk in historic downtown Milton in Santa Rosa County is an all-day event featuring bike and antique car shows, Civil War re-enactments, children's activities, parades, music, karaoke and fireworks. Admission is free. Call 800-480-7263 for details.

Orlando
Fireworks Over the Fountain is a free fireworks display and laser show around Lake Eola in downtown Orlando. Residents and visitors typically pack a basket with goodies and blankets and bring the kids to Lake Eola for some old-fashioned picnic fun. For details, visit www.cityoforlando.net. The city's theme parks put on fireworks displays, including Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, with Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks and two presentations of the lighted Spectromagic parade (included in regular admission: $71 for adults, $60 for children, visit www.disneyworld.com). At Universal Orlando Resort, fireworks light up the sky over CityWalk (free at the regular viewing area at CitiWalk, $10 for preferred viewing area on the lagoon stage, visit www.universalorlando.com).

St. Augustine
The Old City presents a spectacular fireworks display above the ancient Castillo de San Marcos and Matanzas Bay in Downtown St. Augustine. The 20-minute show begins at 9:30 p.m. and includes a soundtrack of patriotic music. Admission is free, and good viewing points include the bayfront between the Castillo and the Bridge of Lions. Visit www.visitoldcity.com.

Tallahassee
Celebrate America is a "capitol" celebration of the Fourth of July at Tom Brown Park, 501 Easterwood Drive. The free event includes music, games, arts and crafts, and a fabulous fireworks display. For information about the state capitol and events, visit www.visittallahassee.com.

Georgina Cruz is a freelance writer and frequent contributor. She lives in Vero Beach.