The 4th of July is just around the corner, and Key West is ready
to celebrate our nation’s birthday in style. There are many family friendly
celebrations you can join in for a day of summer fun in the Keys. I have listed below some of the best, free
admission events taking place all across the Keys, so no matter where you
are in the area, you too can join in America’s biggest party of the year.
For those who love a parade as part of their day, check out the 39th
annual Fourth of July parade in Key
Largo. Sponsored by the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, this parade has a
theme every year with prizes awarded for the most beautiful, most original and
best portrayal of the theme. This year’s theme is titled “Salute to Patriots of Liberty”.
The parade begins at Mile Marker 98.2. Immediately afterward there is a
community picnic with vendor booths, kid’s games, music and a fireworks
display, held at Rowell’s Marina.
In Marathon, the day will start with
a parade at 10:30 a.m., beginning at Marathon High School, and ending at
Sombrero Beach. The celebration
continues at the beach with kid’s activities, music and other entertainment,
and plenty of food and drink for all to enjoy. To end the day, there will be a
firework display on hand at dusk. Many boaters will be along the shore for an
up close view of the fireworks.
For an extended celebration in Marathon, there is also the first ever Americana Music Festival being held from
June 30th – July 5th on the stage outside the
Dockside Tropical Café along the waterfront. Americana music is a commingling
of different styles of music which have been influential to our culture,
including folk, blues and country, to name a few. Each day’s performances begin
at noon; with the main headliner on stage from 7:00- 10:00 p.m.
If you want something definitively Floridian in your 4th of July
celebration, check out the Key West Key
Lime Festival. Running from July 3rd- July 5th, this
festival is a celebration of all things Key Lime. There is a pie eating
contest, the Miss Key Lime Pageant, a Best Pie contest, and even a Best Cocktail
contest where you can be the judge. The world’s largest Key Lime Pie will be
unveiled as well. The festival is free
to attend, but some of the contests have a fee to participate.
In the Lower Keys there is the annual
4th of July Fireworks at the Big Pine Community Park on Atlantis
Road. Co-sponsored by the Lower Keys Chamber, there are activities for kids and
adults, live music, food and drinks available throughout the event. Note that
there are no coolers, pets or personal fireworks allowed at the park. The gates open at 5:00 p.m. and the
fireworks are set to being at 9:00 p.m. for an evening of fun in the park.
Celebrating the 4th of July is easy in
Key West, the hard part will be choosing where you go to join in the fun. If you’re ready to see the amazing choices
of homes for sale, or have a home to sell in the Key West area, please
contact me, Jimmy Lane, for all of your real estate needs.
Labels: 4th of July, Fireworks, jimmy lane, Parades
