Event Guide: 4th of July Weekend

BRADENTON – McKechnie Field, the Bradenton riverfront, downtown Palmetto and the beach are among the locations where Manatee County residents can catch fireworks, live music, parades and other festivities this holiday weekend. TBT has all you need to know to get out and about this Independence Day.

Scott McCreery

A spectacular post-game fireworks display presented by Zambelli Fireworks will light up the sky over McKechnie Field Thursday night. The Marauders will don red, white, and blue patriotic jerseys that will be available for silent auction bidding during the game. Winning bidders will be invited onto the field after the game to receive their jersey and have it autographed by the player or coach that wore it.

Thirsty Thursday specials will be in effect, meaning sodas and select draft beers will cost just $1. After the fireworks, attendees can hang out in the Fan Plaza for a concert by Nuthin’ Fancy – the Ultimate Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band.

Also on Thursday, the Chiles Restaurant Group will put on their spectacular firework show over the Gulf of Mexico at their Beach House location. The annual extravaganza at their Sandbar location will take place on the evening of the 4th.

Also on the 4th, downtown Bradenton and the Palmetto riverfront will both play host to the annual Green Bridge fireworks display. In Palmetto, the annual 4th of July concert in Sutton Park will feature Scotty McCreery.

The event is free, though VIP stagefront seats will be available for $5. The Jake Castro Band and goodByeddie will also play. Things are scheduled to get started at 4 p.m.

Also on Friday, the Annual Freedom Fest Parade on Longboat Key will step off at 9 a.m. at Town Hall. Activities, refreshments, games and a butterfly release will take place in Bicentennial Park after the parade.

The Anna Maria Island Privateers will hold their annual 4th of July Parade on Friday too, stepping off at 10 a.m. from Coquina Beach. The route spans the entire length of Anna Maria Island to Bay Front Park with a gathering at Cafe on the Beach to begin immediately after.