HOLMES BEACH – With the support of Holmes Beach city leaders, the Anna Maria Island Privateers’ Fourth of July Processional is officially coming back in 2021.
Commissioners voted unanimously during a May 25 meeting to approve the temporary event permit for the parade, giving their stamp of approval for the return of one of the Island’s premier events. This year’s event is scheduled for Sunday, July 4, setting sail at 10 a.m. from Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach and continuing down Gulf Drive, East Bay Drive, Manatee Avenue, Marina Drive, Palm Drive and Pine Avenue to Bayfront Park in Anna Maria. The event is free to participants in the parade who are asked to sign up in advance at www.amiprivateers.org and to the public.
Due to COVID-19 precautions, Privateers President Kim Boyd said that the group is asking all participants with 10 or more people on a float to wear masks and do a temperature check before boarding the float. Also, anyone participating in the parade who gets within 6 feet of parade viewers will need to wear a mask and gloves.
No candy will be allowed to be thrown from floats this year. Participants and parade spectators also are asked to not throw water balloons during the parade.
“We’re trying to do everything we can to promote this as a COVID-safe event,” Boyd said.
She added that city leaders in Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach had already approved the event.
Commissioner Carol Soustek said that she feels that it’s OK to have “a little celebration here and there” to help people forget about COVID-19 and have a good time in an outdoor environment.
Commissioner Jim Kihm said that he feels people should be able to use common sense when celebrating the holiday.
“I am looking forward to this,” he said. “Thank you for doing this for the community.”
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