Fourth of July: From parades to fireworks, here are 7 celebrations in Bay County
BAY COUNTY — Independence Day activities in Bay County are lined up for the whole family to enjoy with several events for ultimate red, white and blue celebrations.
From the annual Proud to be an American parade to the Star Spangled Spectacular fireworks show, here's where you can celebrate the Fourth of July:
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Real. Fun. Fourth.
Visit Panama City Beach is holding the destination's annual Independence Day celebration, Real. Fun. Fourth., from July 2 to July 4. Known for having the largest Fourth of July fireworks display on the Gulf Coast, the spectacular event welcomes visitors of all ages to Panama City Beach.
A full schedule of festivities are on tap:
July 2: Light Up The Bay kicks off the holiday weekend at 8:30 p.m. with fireworks by the bay at Papa Joe's, 4601 W. U.S. 98. Bring your lawn chair and catch fireworks over the bay, food trucks and live music with family and friends.
July 3: Light Up the Gulf takes place at Boardwalk Beach Resort Hotel and Convention Center, 9600 S. Thomas Drive, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Enjoy the beach's largest private fireworks show. The Annual Beach Bash will take place behind the Boardwalk Beach Resort condominium and includes free live entertainment, contests and children's activities. At 8:45 p.m., dine at any Freedom Rocks participating waterfront restaurant to view a fireworks show above the Grand Lagoon Bridge, or bring your chair or blanket to the lawn at Treasure Island Marina, 3605 Thomas Drive.
July 4: Celebrate the Fourth of July with Panama City Beach's Star Spangled Spectacular, the largest fireworks display on the Gulf Coast, beginning at 9 p.m. The show will feature dueling fireworks from the Russell-Fields Pier, 16101 Front Beach Road, and M.B. Miller Pier, 12213 Front Beach Road. Guests are invited to set up their beach chairs and encouraged to arrive early to get the best views.
If you're looking to enhance your fireworks-watching experience, a choreographed music simulcast is available for both the Freedom Rocks and Star Spangled Spectacular fireworks shows. Tune into 100.1 FM, 101 FM, 106 FM or 97FM to listen along.
For more information on PCB's Independence Day celebration, visit visitpanamacitybeach.com.
Salute to Freedom
Destination Panama City's annual Salute to Freedom celebration kicks off July 4 for an evening filled with music, patriotism and fun to celebrate the birth of our great nation. The family-friendly event is free and open to the public. Limited VIP tickets are available on the Eventbrite website. Here's a look at the full schedule:
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At 2 p.m., the Salute to Freedom Festival kicks off with vendors, food trucks, a DJ, a bounce house, water activities and lawn games at the Destination Panama City Visitor's Center Bayside Stage, 101 W. Beach Drive, followed by a performance with Flip Flop Republic at 3 p.m.
The fun continues at 5 p.m. with a parade in downtown Panama City that will start at Eighth Street and head south on Harrison Avenue, then west on Fourth Street, and ending at Oak Avenue. Shortly after, the Sons of Saints band will take to Destination Panama City's Bayside Stage. Headliner country music group Dozzi, a dynamic trio of Australian sisters, will perform at 7:30 p.m.
Ending the celebrations is the spectacular fireworks show kicking off at 9:30 p.m. Settle in on your picnic blanket or chairs on the visitors center lawn for the best view in town of the fireworks displays sprawling across St. Andrew Bay.
For more information on Salute to Freedom, visit destinationpanamacity.com.
Lynn Haven's July Fourth celebration
The city of Lynn Haven will host its annual Fourth of July event with a two-part celebration that will begin with “Party in the USA Festivities” at Sharon Sheffield Park, 901 Ohio Ave., and conclude with the “Let Freedom Ring Finale” at A.L. Kinsaul Park, 1146 W. Fifth St.
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Starting at 6 a.m., the Rotary Club of Lynn Haven will host a pancake breakfast at the Senior Activity Center, 907 Pennsylvania Ave., with pancakes, sausage, juice or coffee for a suggested donation of $7 per adult and $4 per child. Proceeds will benefit the Rotary Club and tickets can be purchased on the Eventbrite website.
An opening kickoff ceremony at the Ninth Street and Ohio Avenue intersection starts at 8:30 a.m., with the "Proud to be an American" parade following shortly after. During the parade, Fourth of July fun and festivities will take place at Sheffield Park, including a magician, stilt walkers, face painting, axe throwing, a mechanical bull, vendor booths, food trucks, concessions and more. The Party in the USA Festivities will end at 1 p.m.
The Let Freedom Ring Finale starts at 5 p.m. at Kinsaul Park, featuring concerts by Salt Rock Band and 12eleven, as well as numerous food trucks and vendors. A fireworks show beginning at 9 p.m. will complete the celebrations.
For more information, call 850-248-0530 or visit cityoflynnhaven.com.
More area celebrations
Fourth of July Jeep Party: The Bay Area Jeep Association will host a holiday jeep party at the Boba Fett residence, 407 Missouri Ave. in Lynn Haven. The event takes place July 4 from 6-10 p.m. with stadium seating for the Lynn Haven fireworks show at 9 p.m. Bring chairs or a blanket. More activities, including music, cornhole and door prizes, also will be available.
Fourth of July Celebration: Join the Greenhead Band for a celebration with food, live music, raffles and more. The event kicks off at 3 p.m. at American Legion Post 375, 12507 State 77, and live music starts at 5 p.m. featuring classic/Southern rock from the band.
Beach Sunset Show: Join Jack and Gin with a Fourth of July party on the beach as the sun sets over the Gulf of Mexico. The event is set for 6-9 p.m. at Grand Panama, 11800 Front Beach Road. Jack and Gin, or Eli Ingram & Sandi MarLisa, will bring a little bit of everything to the stage from their favorite country, folk, pop and pop-punk hits.
If you'd like to include your Fourth of July event on this list, please email eburrell@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: July 4th fireworks, parades and other events in Bay County
