‘Celebrate Sarasota’ with July Fourth parade and other festivities, City of Sarasota invites the public

Fireworks, boat races and Newtown Backyard BBQ Cook-Off among events set for holiday period

Image from the homepage of Suncoast Summer Fest

A July Fourth parade along the Sarasota Bayfront, which will pay tribute to veterans, first responders, medical professionals and frontline workers, “will highlight a series of community events” as part of the Suncoast Summer Fest’s Celebrate Sarasota, the City of Sarasota has announced.

The parade will begin at 8 p.m. on July Fourth at the intersection of Mound Street (U.S. 41) and Orange Avenue and end at the intersection of Bayfront Drive (U.S. 41) and Main Street, a news release says. It will culminate with local American Idol “breakout star Alana Sherman performing the national anthem at Chaplain J.D. Hamel Park,” which is located at 199 Bayfront Drive, the release adds. That performance will precede the Sarasota Bayfront fireworks show, the release points out.

U.S. 41 will be closed between Osprey Avenue and Gulfstream Avenue from 7 to 11:30 p.m. for the parade and fireworks, the release says. “Designated areas for public viewing will be marked along the parade route. More information about July 4 road closures and parking can be found here.

“The City of Sarasota has partnered with the Sarasota Patriotic Observance Committee, Suncoast Charities for Children, the Sarasota Downtown Enrichment Association and other community groups” to present a variety of Celebrate Sarasotaevents throughout the community, including the following, the release notes:

  • Boats on the Block downtown block party — 6 to10 p.m., Friday, June 25; Main Street and Lemon Avenue.
  • Rosemary District Night Market — 5 p.m., Tuesday, June 29; The Overton, located at 1420 Boulevard of the Arts.
  • Southside Village Stroll — 4 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, June 30; Hillview Street and South Osprey Avenue.
  • Newtown Backyard BBQ Cook-Off — 6 to 9 p.m., Thursday, July 1; Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and North Orange Avenue.
  • Celebration in the Park — 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, July 3, and 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 4; J.D. Hamel Park, located at 199 Bayfront Drive.

“On busy days up to and including July 4, there may be a $5 cash ‘pay on entry’ fee to use the City-owned parking garages (State Street, Palm Avenue and St. Armands),” the release points out. “All parking signage should be observed.”

For more information on these and other Suncoast Summer Fest events, including the traditional Powerboat and AquaX boat races scheduled for June 26 and June 27 off Lido Beach, visit suncoastsummerfest.org.

Boat race spectators and beach visitors also are reminded that Lido Key public beaches will be closed from 11 p.m. until sunrise, or approximately 6:30 a.m., those two days, the release says. “The Sarasota Police Department will be enforcing closure times to protect the safety of all beachgoers as well as marine turtles and other wildlife,” the release stresses. “Beachgoers should be aware of posted signage and fencing and stay away from marine turtle nests and seabird nesting zones. Dogs are not allowed on Lido Beach,” the release adds.