Bradenton, Palmetto to celebrate America’s 250th with festival, fireworks show
Bradenton and Palmetto are partnering to honor the Fourth of July and the nation’s 250th anniversary with a celebration on both sides of the Manatee River.
On Saturday, the cities will host Fourth of July celebrations, ending the day around 9 p.m. with a fireworks finale over the Green Bridge. The patriotic celebration is a collaboration between the cities, Manatee County and the Tourist Development Council.
In Palmetto, Riverside Park will be the city’s celebration hub for the “Palmetto Fourth Fest.” There will be live music, local food trucks, vendors and games.
The city will also offer free trolleys throughout Historic Palmetto from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m., and free public parking will be available at the First Baptist Church, First United Methodist Church and the city’s parking lots, as well as some street parking.
Fourth of July celebration along Manatee River
“It’s going to be an incredible evening,” Palmetto Mayor Dan West said in a press release. “We’ve been looking forward to this celebration, preparing the city and inviting people to our Fourth Fest celebration for the past year. We’re so excited to host this event and to show the world how Palmetto salutes America250.”
Across the river, Bradenton Alive and the City of Bradenton are hosting events at Rossi Park, along the Riverwalk and throughout Old Main Street.
From 5 to 9:30 p.m. at Rossi Park and along the Riverwalk, there will be food trucks, vendors, live music and a VIP experience with a private bar. There will be additional live music from 7 to 11 p.m. on Old Main Street.
The first 350 attendees to Bradenton’s celebration will receive a commemorative T-shirt.
Free parking in Bradenton will be available at the downtown parking garage and in lots along the Riverwalk.
Saturday’s festivities culminate with a fireworks display around 9 p.m. that residents can view from both sides of the Green Bridge. City officials encourage residents to bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the fireworks show.
“This year’s celebration means a lot. Bradenton celebrated its 123rd anniversary recently, and our nation turns 250,” Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown said in a press release. “This will be one of the largest fireworks displays our area has ever seen, and we hope it’s a night our community remembers for years to come.”
Due to the event, the Green Bridge will be closed at 8:30 p.m., along with various other road closures in both cities.
