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Light the fuse here on July 4th fun
Tribune file photo
Independence Day falls on a Saturday this year, allowing plenty of free time for patriotic parties and over-the-top fireworks displays.
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Published: July 1, 2009
Updated: 07/04/2009 11:54 am
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Those loud noises you hear at about 9 p.m. Saturday should remind you of the date, in case you'd forgotten. The U.S.A. turns 233 this weekend and the skies will light up in celebration. Across the Tampa Bay area, there also will be parades, music and contests measuring the propulsion of watermelon seeds. There may be some scaling back of festivities because of the economy but it won't be hard to find a place to ooh, ahh and cheer.
Fourth of July Family Funfest: 5 p.m., Saturday; food, beverages, beer and wine tent; children's arts and crafts area; watermelon eating, hula-hoop and ring toss contests; fireworks; aboard the American Victory Ship, docked behind The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa; (813) 228-8766 or www.americanvictory.org
Fourth of July Weekend at MOSI: today-Sunday; free admission with purchase of a general admission ticket; Museum of Science & Industry; 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa; (813) 987-6000
Brandon Blast and Rock, Rib & Ride Festival: 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday; live music, kids play area, punt, pass and kick competitions, rib-cooking competition and more; proceeds benefit Greater Brandon Community Foundation; Westfield Brandon, 459 Brandon Town Centre, Brandon; (813) 661-5100
St. Petersburg's Fourth of July Celebration: Saturday; events at several downtown locations: The Pier, 800 Second Ave. N.E. (music begins at 1 p.m., Rays game on big screen at 8 p.m.), North Straub Park, 500 Fifth Ave. N. (children's activities begin at 4 p.m.; live music from Sweet Caroline, Due West and Krista Marie begins at 5 p.m.) and Vinoy Park, 589 Fifth Ave. N.E. (WFLA, 970 AM, listeners' party at 4 p.m.; visit www.970wfla.com/common/celebrate for tickets); fireworks at 9 p.m.; (727) 892-5700
Rock 'n Wings Concert: 4 p.m. Saturday; Live music from Amanda Overmyer, Drew Street Mary and more; $10; Albert Whitted Airport, 107 Eighth Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg; (727) 893-7654
BayWalk: 4 p.m. Saturday; DJ, live music, complimentary frozen drinks, street performers including human statues, stilt walkers and artists; BayWalk, 151 Second Ave. N., St. Petersburg; www.newBayWalk.com
Temple Terrace Independence Day Celebration: Saturday; parade starts at 10 a.m. at White Way Drive and Gillette Avenue; Florida Wind Band and Tampa Bay Children's Chorus at 8 p.m. at first fairway of Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club, 200 Inverness Ave., Temple Terrace; fireworks at 9 p.m.; (813) 989-7004
Clearwater Celebrates America: 4 p.m.; vendors and children's activities; Mostly Pops Orchestra with John and Mary K. Wilson at 7:30 p.m.; fireworks at 9:30 p.m.; Coachman Park, 301 Drew St., Clearwater; (727) 562-4700
Gulfport Celebrates the Fourth of July: 8 a.m.; Kids' Fishing Derby at Recreation Center Seawall, sand castle contest, family activities, auto show, vendors, music from '60s Groove at 5 p.m. on the beach, parade at 6 p.m. from beach to Gulfport Casino, fireworks at 9 p.m.; (727) 893-1118
Star-Spangled Spectacular concert: 7 p.m. today; Mostly Pops Orchestra with John and Mary K. Wilson and Paul Wilson; $15 (ages 10 and younger free); Dan Cannon Auditorium, Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52, Dade City; (352) 567-6678; co-sponsored by The Tampa Tribune
Carillon Concert: 1 p.m. Saturday; "Cavalcade of American Music" concert featuring music by Scott Joplin, Woody Guthrie, Stephen Foster and more; free admission for all active-duty or retired military personnel with ID; $10 ($3 ages 5-12, free ages 4 and younger); Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales; (863) 676-1408
Terry Cloth Tribute: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; replica of 13-star U.S. flag will be created using terry-cloth beach towels; TradeWinds Island Grand, 5500 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach; (727) 367-6461
St. Francis Foundation 4th of July Celebration: 1-8 p.m.; music by Eric Darius, Mike MacArthur, Shawn Brown Band and Al Chisholm; benefit for St. Francis Foundation; free; Lowry Park Band Shell, 110 W. Sligh Ave., Tampa; (813) 935-8552
Fouth of July Patriotic Picnic in the Park: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; music, water slide, free food, game area with horse shoes, hula hoops, watermelon seed spitting, hot dog eating, sack races and more contests; free; Craig Park, 100 Beakman Lane, Tarpon Springs; (727) 942-5628
The best seats for the shows
Fireworks being an aerial event, it would seem one would only have to look up to catch the bombettes, brocades and powderpuff peonies, especially in flat Florida. But if that were true, we'd all have a front-row seat for every celestial show, from sky rockets to shuttle launches. We do not.
There are plenty above-average viewing spots for Fourth displays, however, and we know a few of them. (Remember, we aren't the only ones privy to this information — especially since you're now reading it on TBO — so get where you're going early to snag a parking place and elbow room.)
And if know of a great spot for fireworks-watching, feel free to share; it's the American way. Add it as a comment here, and we'll print as many as we can in The Tribune on Saturday.
Our picks
Tampa's fireworks start at 9 p.m. Saturday, launching from a barge in the Garrison Channel downtown. Hot spots for viewing: the Harbour Island Bridge, the Marriott Waterside, The Florida Aquarium and Cotanchobee Park next to the Tampa Bay History Center. The aquarium and history center will both be open late and have reduced admission prices. The aquarium will cost $10 after 3 p.m., with parking $10 per vehicle. Admission will be free at the history center.
For a distant but panoramic view of several shows, head to the top floor of the Tampa International Airport parking garage. (Parking's free for the first hour.)
St. Pete Beach, Redington Shores and Treasure Island all have great viewing right from your blanket (watch out for ground-level amateur missiles.)
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