4th of July week is here: Where to find fireworks, parades in Fort Myers, Cape, Bonita
The Fourth of July on Thursday kicks off a four-day weekend for many, and there's plenty of options for celebrating Independence Day 2024.
And if you haven't made plans yet, here's a guide to know what's happening where and when.
But first, where did the idea for fireworks come from for July 4? Founding father and former President John Adams ― one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence ― said that this day should be celebrated every year.
The famous quote appears in one of Adams' letters to his wife, Abigail Adams, dated July 3, 1776.
"It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty," John Adams wrote. "It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."
"Illuminations" meant fireworks, and while drones weren't yet invented, it's likely that Adams also would've approved of the newest form of celebrating the holiday.
CAPE CORAL
The popular Red, White & Boom from 5-10 p.m. Thursday features a big-name country band in Parmalee at this annual Cape Coral tradition. It's in downtown Cape Coral near the Cape Coral Bridge. capeboom.com
FORT MYERS
For night-time Fourth festivities, head to downtown Fort Myers for its Freedom Fest block party Thursday. The Venice Symphony Jazz Orchestra plays patriotic songs starting at 8 p.m. and fireworks follow over the Caloosahatchee River at about 9:45 p.m. Free. Caloosa Sound Amphitheater in Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., downtown Fort Myers. Edwards Drive will be closed for the event between Monroe and Hendry streets. explorefortmyers.com
FORT MYERS BEACH
Like Bonita, Fort Myers Beach a full day of festivities Thursday that kick off at 10 a.m. with a parade on Estero Boulevard, which will be closed from 9 a.m. until noon. Twelve hours later, fireworks will light up the sky above Times Square and the Matanzas Pass Bridge will be closed from 8:30 p.m. to about 11 p.m. fortmyersbeach.org/events/fort-myers-beach-fourth-of-july-celebration
BONITA SPRINGS
Celebrate from morning until night Thursday in Bonita Springs. The day begins with a parade from 9-11 a.m. Thursday, July 4. Free. The parade travels along Old 41 Road between Rosemary Drive and Kentucky Street in downtown Bonita Springs. Later, head to Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St., for Star Spangled Bonita from 5-10 p.m. Enjoy food and live music before a drone, fireworks and laser-light show starts at dusk. Free. cityofbonitasprings.org
NAPLES
Thursday in Naples begins with a parade and ends with a bang. The annual July Fourth parade is 10 a.m.-noon, starting and ending at Eleventh Avenue South after traversing on Third Street South, Fifth Avenue South and Eighth Street South. Fifth Avenue South will be closed off to traffic between Third Street and Eighth Street South. At night, it's time for 30 minutes of fireworks launched about 9 p.m. from a barge near Naples Pier. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on Naples Beach to enjoy the show.
Drones more and more are becoming part of the Independence Day celebrations. Paradise Coast Sports Complex will host its July Fourth event from 6-11 p.m. Saturday, July 6. There's plenty of kids' activities and the drone show begins at 9 p.m. food and drinks sold at the complex, 3940 City Gate Blvd. N., Naples. More at playparadisecoast.com.
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MARCO ISLAND
A fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. Thursday on Marco Island. Fireworks will be launched off the coast of Residents’ Beach, viewable from along Collier Boulevard and Marco’s beach front. Various parking available, from free public parking intersection of Collier Boulevard and Swallow Avenue. Metered parking is $8 per car. And no parking allowed on streets or swales in the South Beach area. cityofmarcoisland.com
Dave Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and News-Press. Follow him on Instagram and Threads @lacrossewriter and on X (formerly Twitter) @NDN_dosborn.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: July 4th fireworks, events in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs
