Manatee County Fireworks and Parade Schedule

.Photo by Dara Caudill, Island Photography

BRADENTON – Independence Day is upon us and there are plenty of places to see fireworks tonight from the island to big show over the green bridge, where there will be plenty happening on both sides of the river. There are also two parades this morning. As usual, TBT's got your wheres and whens. 

The Chiles Restaurant Group will again put on their spectacular firework show over the Gulf of Mexico at the Sandbar restaurant tonight. Watch the show from the sand or visit www.groupersandwich.com to see their wide array of dining options.

In Palmetto, the 4th of July has come to mean one thing: a major concert in Sutton Park. This year's free show will feature former American Idol star Scotty McCreery. VIP stagefront seats will be available for $5. The Jake Castro Band and goodByeddie will also play. Things are scheduled to get rolling at 4 p.m.

The Green Bridge fireworks display is visible from either the Palmetto or Bradenton downtown riverfront. The Bradenton side will also host a number of events centered around Old Main Street and RiverWalk.

In addition to the fireworks, there will be Independence Day parades on both Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island. 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 step 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.