4th Of July Celebrations and Fireworks

There are lots of area events scheduled to celebrate the 4th of July. Take in a parade, enjoy live music and then watch fireworks. All events are on Saturday July 4th unless noted.

Clearwater Celebrates America
Overlooking the beautiful intercoastal waterway at Coachman Park, this celebration features the Mostly Pops Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. A spectacular fireworks show will follow at 9:30 p.m. The event includes children's activities, food and beverages for purchase and exhibitor and sponsor booths. Gates open at 4 pm.
*Coachman Park 301 Drew. St., Clearwater.

4TH of July U.S. Constitution Boat Parade
Enjoy a patriotic, fun filled Rally that will kick off the First Annual Fourth of July U.S. Constitution boat parade. Festivities will start at noon at Gators Pass. There will be music and prize drawings throughout the afternoon. Decorate your boat - Show it off - Wave Flags! Or, just watch the boat parade sail by just after 3:00 P.M.
*Gators on the Pass 12754 Kingfish Dr, Treasure Island

4th of July Extravaganza at The Pier
Starting at 1pm on the east courtyard, enjoy live music by the Cool Daddies or step inside to catch a one man circus. If you've never tried a drum circle, this is your chance, with free drums or bring your own. Live music continues until 8pm. Fireworks start at 9 pm.
*The Pier 800 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg.

Largo 4th of July Celebration
Music starts at 7pm with interactive kids activities near the stage. Fireworks begin at 9pm. Parking is available on site and free. No alcohol, pets, or personal fireworks.
*Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive, Largo.

Madeira Beach Fireworks
The fireworks display will be fired from the city recreation park on Rex Place next to the City Hall complex.
*Madeira Beach 300 Municipal Dr., Madeira Beach

Redington Shores Fireworks
The fireworks display will take place shortly after dusk in the County beach park.
*Redington Shores,182nd Avenue and Gulf Boulevard

St. Pete Beach Fireworks
Launched along the Gulf of Mexico, enjoy the fireworks show starting at dusk.
*St. Pete Beach Access Park, 4700 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach

Treasure Island Fireworks
Enjoy fireworks on the beach. Bring your chair or blanket. Fireworks start at 9pm.
*Treasure Island Beach,10400 Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island

July 3rd Concert and Fireworks
Fri, Jul, 3 6:00 pm
*Knology Park , 373 Douglas Ave. Dunedin

Fireworks Cruise
Take a high speed water sightseeing ride. Then, watch Clearwater's fireworks display from the deck of the Sea Screamer. $35 adults, $25 children. 8 pm.
*Clearwater Beach Marina at Sea Screamer 25 Causeway Blvd. Clearwater Beach 727-447-7200

4th Of July Parade
The North Redington Beach 4th of July Parade will be begin at Addie Graham Park 173rd Avenue and proceed via Second Street and First Street to Radcliffe Park starting at 9 am.
*North Redington Beach at Addie Graham Park

Finally, A Deal For Beach Parking Garage

Clearwater Beach has finally struck a deal to build a city parking garage. City council voted unanimously on a 300 space 4 level garage atop ground floor retail space. Vehicles will enter and exit the garage from Coronado Drive.

The site is currently the home of Britt's Laguna Grill, a popular restaurant on the Beachwalk promenade. A new Britt's will be located on the ground floor. Surf Style Retail Management, who owns the site will pay to build the garage itself, with no city tax dollars. It has not yet been determined what the city will charge for parking, but it will likely be similar the agreement the city has with the Hyatt, which will have 400 parking places for the public in its 750-space garage - rates must be "comparable" to the garages of other beachfront resorts.

The Beachwalk project, which was completed last year, eliminated hundreds of waterfront parking spaces on S. Gulfview Blvd, and the city has been scrambling ever since to come up with replacements. The city is currently leasing 2 vacant lots for parking.

The project is expected to to be complete by next fall.

Sand Key Park May Allow Alcohol Sales

The contract with vendor who currently provides concession service at the Sand Key Park expires in a few months. That vendor along with 2 others has submitted proposals for the new contract.

The current vendor is mobile, selling snacks from a roving golf cart, and hot dogs, hamburgers and soft drinks from a mobile kitchen/trailer. One of the alternative proposals includes a 2,200 square foot elevated pavilion, called "The Sandbar Grill". The pavilion would provide beach concession services, hot meals in addition to the standard beach fare of hot dogs and hamburgers during the day. After 4 pm the pavilion would be used to host "weddings, food functions and other special events and would include providing "controlled and restricted alcoholic beverage services." The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on the city's public beaches and parks, but Sand Key Park is governed by the County, not the City.

Pinellas County will review all three proposals and the city Commission will discuss the proposed availability of alcohol at Sand Key Park at their next meeting.

Celebrate Flag Day at Sand Key Park

The Flag Day event is being sponsored by the Clearwater Veterans Alliance. Everyone is invited to kickoff summer at the celebration and show their support for our veterans. Flag Day festivities begin at 1 pm.

Shoppes Zoning To Be Revisited

The owner of the Shoppes at Sand Key has won its appeal against the city of Clearwater for zoning it “commercial” instead “tourist” as requested. In June, the City Council will take up the zoning matter again.

Hundreds of supporters turned out to celebrate the opening of Joe Calio Veranda , a second story addition to the Clearwater Community Sailing Center. The party featured an oil drum symphony playing and an elaborate cook-out courtesy of the Sheraton Sand Key, which is just across the street. The new addition provides covered shelter for classroom space, both above and below, as well as outdoor space for people and organizations to rent for parties and other functions.

Calio is credited with the constant growth and improvement at the Center as a result of his leadership. City and county officials, members of the Clearwater Yacht Club, sailors, and CCSC board members were all on hand to help celebrate.

Belleair Causeway Bridge To Open May 29th

Traffic will begin using the road and bridge in three weeks so that workers can remove the old roadway and bridge and build the retention and recreation areas. The entire construction will not be complete until late November or early December.