Fourth of July events are back with a bang this year around Bradenton and Sarasota

Keep your red, white and blue at the ready. Fourth of July celebrations are are coming back to Bradenton, Palmetto and Sarasota with a bang in 2021.

Planned patriotic festivities include fireworks displays, live music and parades.

Here’s a roundup of the best Independence Day happenings near you.

Palmetto Fourth Fest

Palmetto has snagged country, blues and Americana superstar Wynonna Judd and her band The Big Noise to headline this year’s Fourth Fest at Sutton Park.

A DJ and local band His Country will open the show. Judd is expected to take the stage around 7:30 p.m.

In addition to live music, local vendors will be set up at the event offering food and drink.

The festival is free to attend. There’s no reserved seating, so you may want to get to the park early with your lawn chairs or blanket to stake out a spot. Personal coolers, food and drinks are allowed; alcohol is not.

A fireworks show over the Manatee River sponsored by Palmetto, Bradenton and Manatee County will follow the concert.

Details: Fourth Fest kicks off at 5 p.m. July 4. Fireworks begin around 9:30 p.m. Sutton Park, 1036 Sixth St. W., Palmetto. Free.

Info: facebook.com/palmettocra.

Manatee River fireworks show

Palmetto and Bradenton share the love on the Fourth of July with a fireworks display that is visible on both sides of the Manatee River. So grab a spot on the Bradenton Riverwalk, Riverside Drive, a waterfront restaurant or a friend’s boat deck to enjoy the show.

Details: Fireworks are set to begin around 9:30 p.m. July 4 over the Manatee River.

“Fireworks, Food & Fun” at The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is another way to enjoy this year’s Manatee River fireworks show. The event includes food, kids activities and a guaranteed good view of the pyrotechnics in the museum’s Riverside Plaza. Bring a chair or blanket and get comfy. Boxed barbecue meals provided by Nancy’s Bar-B-Q from Lakewood Ranch will be available for an extra charge. There are four admission options available:

Single admission without food: $20.

Single admission with one boxed meal: $40.

Family admission for four without food: $70.

Family admission for four with four boxed meals: $150.

Details: Doors open 6:30 p.m. July 4. Food served at 7 p.m. Fireworks begin around 9:30 p.m. $20-$150. Kids 4 and under: Free.

Info: bishopscience.org.

Anna Maria Island

There are no big fireworks shows launching from Anna Maria Island this Fourth of July, but the beaches are a great vantage point to watch other local displays going off.

And remember, fireworks at the beach should be left to professionals. Lighting personal fireworks on Manatee County beaches is illegal and can disturb or harm wildlife, including threatened and endangered sea turtles and sea birds.

Siesta Key

If you want a front-row seat to fireworks near the beach, Siesta Key’s annual fireworks show may be the one for you. The show launches around dusk from near Siesta Key Public Beach and is free to the public.

Details: Fireworks set to launch at dusk on July 4 at Siesta Key Public Beach.

Info: my.siestakeychamber.com.

Sarasota fireworks and fun

Nathan Benderson Park will get the Independence Day fun started early with Fireworks on the Lake on Saturday, July 3. The event includes exhibits, a car show, live music, food, a run and other family fun. A fireworks display will top off the evening.

The event is free to attend, but there is a fee to park in nearby lots.

Details: July 3. Gates open at 5 p.m.; music starts at 5:30 p.m.; fireworks launch after 9 p.m. Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota. Admission is free. Parking is $20 on Regatta Island and $15 in the park’s south lot ($40 for recreational vehicles).

Info: nathanbendersonpark.org.

Celebration in the Park will bring live music, a beer garden and food trucks to J.D. Hamel Park in Sarasota on July 3 and 4.

The musical lineup includes blues, rock, Motown, Latin funk, country and Caribbean bands.

On July 4, the festival will be followed by a parade through downtown Sarasota, a performance by local American Idol contestant Alana Sherman and the Sarasota Bayfront fireworks show.

Details: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. July 3 and 3 p.m.-7:30 p.m. July 4. Parade and fireworks to follow.

Info: lovedowntownsarasota.com.

The Sarasota Bayfront fireworks show is back this year to light up downtown and Sarasota Bay.

The fireworks show is the grand finale of the Suncoast Summer Fest (previously the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival), which is set to take place from June 24-July 4 and includes powerboat races and other community events.

Details: Fireworks to launch around 9 p.m. July 4 from near Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Dr., Sarasota.

The All-American Cookout at Selby Botanical Gardens is another fun way to enjoy the Fourth of July. The celebration includes access to the gardens, family-friendly games and activities and cookout favorites available for purchase. Guests get a scenic view of the fireworks display over Sarasota Bay.

A “Selby Experience” upgrade includes valet parking, a buffet and an open bar.

Details: 5:30 p.m. July 4. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota. Ages 13 and up: $35 (member price is $25). Kids 4-12: $10. Kids 3 and under: Free. Selby Experience tickets are $150 for ages 13 and up and $50 for kids 4-12; kids 3 and under are free.

Info: selby.org.

Parades

The Anna Maria Island Privateers will hold their annual Independence Day parade on Saturday, July 3.

The parade will depart from the north entrance of Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach at 10 a.m. and make its way north to City Pier Park in Anna Maria.

Details: 10 a.m. July 3. Gulf Drive, Anna Maria Island.

Info: facebook.com/AnnaMariaIslandPrivateers.

The Celebrate Sarasota July 4 Parade will pay tribute to veterans, first responders, medical professionals and frontline workers.

The parade will kick off at 8 p.m. at Orange Avenue and Mound Street and proceed down Bayfront Drive to J.D. Hamel Park.

There will be marked areas for public parade viewing along the route, according to organizers.

Details: 8 p.m. July 4. Fireworks to follow. Main Street, Sarasota.

Info: suncoastsummerfest.org.

Did we miss a big Fourth of July event? Send an email with details to rballogg@bradenton.com.

This story was originally published June 16, 2021 at 5:00 AM.