ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Anna Maria Island Privateers will host their annual Fourth of July parade on Wednesday, July 4.
The parade will begin at Coquina Beach at 10 a.m. and travel north to the city of Anna Maria, passing through Holmes Beach along the way. Those who wish to participate in the parade must fill out a registration form at the Privateers’ website.
“It’s free; we just need everybody registered,” Privateer Tim “Hammer” Thompson said.
The city of Anna Maria will hold a Fourth of July celebration at City Pier Park from 12:30-2 p.m. that day. The event will include patriotic music and free hot dogs, chips and beverages.
The Fourth of July festivities in Anna Maria will resume later that night during the Sandbar restaurant’s 32nd annual beachfront fireworks display. The fireworks show is free, open to the public and weather dependent. Parking for the public beach areas near the Sandbar is limited and the free trolley is one way to avoid the parking hassle.
Located at 100 Spring Ave., the Sandbar’s Independence Day celebrations will include a party under the special events pavilion starting at 6 p.m. VIP packages are available and include prime beach seating for the fireworks show. For more information contact Molly at 941-778-8709.