Several Sarasotans spent their Independence Day playing lawn games and watching fireworks at Selby Gardens' All-American BBQ.
By
Niki Kottmann
| 11:30 p.m. July 4, 2017
Sarasota
Neighbors
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Rain or shine, the show must go on — and that, it did this Independence Day.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens hosted its annual All-American BBQ this Fourth of July on the front lawn of the gardens, which featured a wide array of activities such as face painting, volleyball, hula hoops, Jenga and a bounce house.
Patriotic-painted children licked popsicles, climbed on the banyans and raced through the Ann Goldstein Children’s Rainforest Garden, while many of their parents sipped brews and listened to live entertainment provided by Soul R Coaster.
After they got their fill of barbecue and all the other treats available, families made their way towards Sarasota Bay to watch the bayfront fireworks display.
A storm hit just a few minutes after the show began, but most spectators just grabbed their umbrellas or huddled underneath the entryway of Michael’s on the Bay at Selby Gardens, determined to watch the show until the end.
Volunteers Colleen Costa, Louis Putallaz, Vera Neuman-Wood, MJ Dexter, Connie Cooper and Mark Rowe
Issam Halaby, Lucas Hassler, Ki Hassler and Gage Hassler
Annie Murphy and Patti Good
Members of Soul R Coaster perform.
Shane Lance finds a patriotic pinwheel to play with.
Anna Heck with her daughter Audrey Heck
Karla, Khloe and Kurt Kenyon
Ceylon Vanston plays Jenga while her brother Nathan Vanston observes.
Oliver Schaible takes a rest after climbing the big banyan tree on the great lawn of Marie Selby Botanical Garden.
Dillon, Todd, Emily and Stella Sue
Claudia, John, Louisa (front), Julia, Sally and Ava Kuss
Ian Johnson gets an American flag painted on his face.
Keely and Savannah Torres
Kara Zubke and her son Robert Jr. Zubke
Brent Greeno and Ryan Inskeep with Michael and Mini Rohan
A couple waits for the Bayfront fireworks display in front of Michael’s on the Bay at Selby Gardens.
Madison Anderson and Savannah Torres
The great lawn was bustling this Fourth of July at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for the All-American BBQ.
Spectators enjoyed a colorful sunset over Sarasota Bay before the fireworks show on Fourth of July outside Michael’s on the Bay at Selby Gardens.
Fireworks illuminate the sky over Sarasota Bay.
Fireworks illuminate the sky over Sarasota Bay.
Fireworks illuminate the sky over Sarasota Bay.
Fireworks illuminate the sky over Sarasota Bay.
Guests take refuge under the entryway of Michael’s on the Bay at Selby gardens to watch the Bayfront fireworks show while avoiding the rain.
Some spectators braved the rain to watch the Bayfront fireworks show.
