Longboat's longest standing July 4?

“We wouldn’t know what to do if we weren’t here,” said Kristi Goldsmith, referring to the traditional Fourth of July bash held at the bayfront home of her father-in-law, Jack Goldsmith. The family has celebrated Independence Day there every year since the house was built in 1967. Jack Goldsmith, his sons and their wives, Mel and Jan Goldsmith, of Longboat Key, and Larry and Kristi Goldsmith, of Memphis, welcome 50 to 100 guests depending on who’s in town. This year, hostess Betty Ng was wearing a gift T-shirt emblazoned with the words “Commander in Chef.”

Everyone enjoyed a panoramic view of fireworks displays from Siesta Key to Bradenton.