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Sarasota lights up with July 4 parade and fireworks show

The parade and fireworks show took place July 4.


  • By Harry Sayer
  • | 10:22 p.m. July 4, 2021
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Sarasota went big for the Fourth of July with a downtown festival, parade and fireworks spectacular at Bayfront Park.

Families and visitors gathered at J.D. Hamel Park for an afternoon festival full of games, music and plenty of food. Hundreds of people then lined up and down Bayfront Drive to watch a patriotic parade that included city government figures,  Sarasota Memorial Hospital staff, veterans groups and more. The night concluded with a bright and dazzling fireworks show over the water at Bayfront Park. 

See photos from Siesta Key's Fourth of July celebration.

See photos from Nathan Benderson Park's Fourth of July celebration.

Visitors sit at Bayfront Park for the fireworks.
Visitors sit at Bayfront Park for the fireworks.
Edward and Catherine Stoll
Edward and Catherine Stoll
Maryann Grgic and Mayor Hagen Brody
Maryann Grgic and Mayor Hagen Brody
Visitors sit at Bayfront Park for the fireworks.
Visitors sit at Bayfront Park for the fireworks.
Mark Grabiec
Mark Grabiec
Twinkle and Rock Soul Radio play for the audience.
Twinkle and Rock Soul Radio play for the audience.
Matias, Thavey, Koa, Emilio and Juan Cordoba with Lana the dog.
Matias, Thavey, Koa, Emilio and Juan Cordoba with Lana the dog.
Alicia Herrera plays along with the music.
Alicia Herrera plays along with the music.
Ross and Debbie Malone
Ross and Debbie Malone
Jackson, Jordan and Kyndall Shinn
Jackson, Jordan and Kyndall Shinn
Visitors sit at Bayfront Park for the fireworks.
Visitors sit at Bayfront Park for the fireworks.
Kyla Reed and Ayden Long
Kyla Reed and Ayden Long
Jace, Miaha, Kara and Mason Pasick
Jace, Miaha, Kara and Mason Pasick
Kowen Hartter climbs the rock wall.
Kowen Hartter climbs the rock wall.
Visitors line up to see the parade.
Visitors line up to see the parade.
Theo and Lisa Maura
Theo and Lisa Maura
Michael Cargil
Michael Cargil
Jada Gibson
Jada Gibson
Several groups join in on the Fourth of July parade.
Several groups join in on the Fourth of July parade.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital join in on the Fourth of July parade.
Sarasota Memorial Hospital join in on the Fourth of July parade.
Olivia and Jack Costa with Spider-Man
Olivia and Jack Costa with Spider-Man
Zayden Sleezer, Gianna Ulisanok and Zedric Sleezer
Zayden Sleezer, Gianna Ulisanok and Zedric Sleezer
Emma the dog
Emma the dog
Mayor Hagen Brody passes out flags to families.
Mayor Hagen Brody passes out flags to families.
Vice Mayor Eric Arroyo passes out flags.
Vice Mayor Eric Arroyo passes out flags.
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
The crowd cheers on the parade.
The crowd cheers on the parade.
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
Isabella Coiana and Abel Hernandez
Isabella Coiana and Abel Hernandez
Jan Solomon
Jan Solomon
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
Several groups join in on the patriotic fun.
Angelly Boyce
Angelly Boyce

 

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