Fourth of July Calendar

SATURDAY, JULY 2

Manatee County

Bradenton Marauders Independence Day Celebration — Watch the Marauders’ baseball game against the Charlotte Stone Crabs, then take in the fireworks show after the game. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. The Marauders take to the field at 6:30 p.m., at McKechnie Field, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Gator Creek Band will perform live before the game, and the first 1,500 fans will receive a free shirt. Tickets are $6 to $10. Call 747-3031.

MONDAY, JULY 4

Longboat Key

Annual Freedom Fest Parade and Hot Diggity Dog! Parade — This yearly Fourth of July parade begins at 9 a.m. and runs until 11 a.m. around Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road. Dress in your most patriotic clothing, and deck your bike or wagon with red, white and blue, and join the parade. Parade line-up begins at 8:30 a.m. Activities, food and drinks will be available at Bicentennial Park next to Town Hall after the parade. The Rotary Club of Longboat Key will also hold its third annual Hot Diggity Dog! Parade. Prizes will be awarded for various costume categories. The event is free. Call 383-2466.

Manatee County

Anna Maria Island Privateers Fourth of July Parade — Anna Maria’s annual Fourth of July parade begins at 10 a.m. at the south entrance to Coquina Beach and ends around noon at City Pier. Anyone can register online in advance to march in the parade. Free. For information, visit amiprivateers.org.

Third Annual Myakka Kayaka Fourth of July Jam Blast — Takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Snook Haven, 5000 E. Venice Ave., Venice. The event will feature live music and craft beers. A kayak launch starts at 8 a.m. More details are pending. The event is free.

Palmetto Fourth of July Festival — Palmetto’s sixth annual Fourth of July festival features music, food and kids rides. The event begins at 5 p.m. and culminates with a fireworks show over the Manatee River at around 9 p.m. The festival takes place at Sutton Park in Palmetto, but fireworks can be viewed from both sides of the Manatee River Riverwalk in downtown Bradenton and Palmetto. Free. Call 723-4988.

30th Annual Sandbar Fireworks Spectacular — Fireworks begin shortly after dark, weather-permitting, 100 Spring Ave., Anna Maria. VIP party packages under the open-air pavilion are available. Seating is limited, but the fireworks show is free. Call 778-8709.

Sarasota

Liberty Day Regatta and Family Festival — The Sarasota Sailing Squadron presents an afternoon of fun for all ages featuring a water slide, make-your-own ice cream sundaes, a dessert potluck, pig roast, live music and the opportunity to watch fireworks all around Sarasota Bay. The festival runs from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron, 1717 Ken Thompson Parkway. Dinner is $7; $5 for children under 12 and ice cream is $3. Visit sarasotasailingsquadron.org.

Patriotic Spectacular — Gloria Musicae presents a concert of traditional patriotic choral fireworks featuring music such as “You’re a Grand Old Flag” by George M. Cohan and “Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa. The concert begins at 4:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave. Admission is $25 in advance; $30 at the door; $15 for students with a student ID. Call 387-6046.

All American Barbecue and Independence Day Celebration — Take in the beauty of the gardens, enjoy premier pit barbecue, taste custom crafted cocktails, hear live music, and watch the fireworks show over Sarasota Bay from 6 to 10 p.m., as Selby Gardens puts on its yearly Fourth of July event. Cost is $25 for members, $35 for nonmembers and $10 for children ages 4 to 11. Free for children ages three and younger. Food and drinks are available for purchase. VIP tickets available for $150. Call 366-5731.

Fireworks Spectacular over Sarasota Bay — The annual fireworks show begins at dusk around 9 p.m. The display is free to view and can be seen from anywhere on the Sarasota bayfront. Free. Call 365-4232.

Siesta Key 26th Annual Fourth of July Fireworks Display — Fireworks over Siesta Key begin around 9 p.m. just north of the Siesta Beach volleyball courts. In good weather, between 20,000 and 30,000 people attend the fireworks display on Siesta Key. The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce has canceled this year's VIP Party because it lost access to picnic tables and VIP parking for the event due to renovations. For information, call 349-3800.

Venice

Venice Presbyterian Church Presents 'America the Beautiful' — Takes place at 7 p.m. at 825 The Rialton, Venice. The event is a patriotic celebration featuring the songs of Irving Berlin, Woodie Guthrie, Elvis Presley, Lee Greenwood, Goerge M. Cohan, John Phillips Sousa and more. Admission: $15 per person; $35 maximum per family of three or more. Tickets are available Sundays after services or at the door day of the show. Doors open 45 minutes before the show. For information, call 488-2258.

Venice Fireworks —Fireworks begin after sunset and are fired from the South Venice Jetty in the Venice Beach area. Viewing is best anywhere along Venice Beach, Nokomis Beach, or from a boat on the Gulf of Mexico or anchored on the Intracoastal waterway, northeast of the Jetty on the water. Arrive early, because thousands line the beaches, jetty and surrounding waterways.