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You are here: Home / Archives for July 3rd Celebration

Independence Eve Plans Patriotic Extravaganza

June 21, 2018 by August Klinke

It all started with a casual conversation in 2011. Jim Bachrach, Board Chair of Apalachicola Main Street, was talking with a few friends downtown when someone asked why the town no longer had fireworks on July 4th. Within minutes, Jim and a small group of volunteers had decided to bring the fireworks back, and the beginnings of a plan were set in motion. Jim brought the idea to the Apalachicola Main Street board, which voted to embrace the idea.

There was some concern about competing for attendance with fireworks shows in nearby cities. At the same time, we recognized that thousands of visitors come into Franklin County for the week of July 4th and are looking for things to do. A creative idea emerged: celebrate on July 3rd. Celebrating a day early would allow us to add to the area’s calendar of activities without competing with other events. In doing so, it would attract more people downtown to patronize local businesses.

Fast forward to 2018, and the event has become Franklin County’s largest single-day event. It is the winner of a Florida Secretary of State’s Main Street award for Outstanding Special Event and has earned a reputation as a high quality, family-friendly celebration that boasts the best fireworks show on the Forgotten Coast.

The event is free and begins at 5:00 p.m. at Riverfront Park with live music, food trucks offering American favorites and delicious international options, cold beverages, and bouncy houses for the kids. Bring your lawn chairs or picnic blankets and enjoy performances by Southern Flood and the Bo Springs Band. The Center for History, Culture, and Art will offer free kids’ art activities in its facility located just across the street. The Red, White, and Blue Parade begins at 6:30 at Lafayette Park and ends at Riverfront Park with a free ice cream social for everyone to enjoy.

We’re particularly proud that this is the most patriotic celebration around. In the lead-up to the fireworks, our program includes a Veterans Tribute, and this year we are honored to have Representative Halsey Beshears speak. This will be followed by a performance of the National Anthem by Angela Stanley. Another prominent patriotic touch is that a medley of patriotic music plays during the 20-minute fireworks show. A montage of popular songs gives way to several traditional selections performed by the U.S. Air Force Band such as the Marines’ Hymn. The closing song during the fireworks crescendo this year will be Stars and Stripes Forever, performed by the Boston Pops.

Our sponsors make this event possible. As a special thank you for supporters at the $500 level and above, we offer reserved tables in the VIP section on the docks complete with complimentary beverages from a private bar and the perfect seats for the fireworks show.

Although the event attracts thousands, it’s community-oriented at heart. As Jim looks back on how it has grown over the years, he says, “This is for us, as citizens of Apalachicola. The energy and the focus has always been to do something for the community and then invite everyone else to join us.” And they do. Residents and visitors from near and far come downtown together to celebrate our Independence.

Here in Apalachicola we enjoy a slow pace of life and aren’t usually in too much of a hurry. But on July 3, we’re ahead of schedule. I hope you’ll join us for our seventh year of our signature event–a celebration like no other on the Forgotten Coast—a celebration we call “Independence Eve.”  For more information, visit www.july3fireworks.com or call 844-272-2523.

Filed Under: July 3rd Celebration

7th Annual “Independence Eve” Celebration in the works!

May 23, 2018 by Augusta West

Planning is underway for Apalachicola’s seventh annual “Independence Eve” Fireworks Celebration to be held on July 3 at Riverfront Park from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. Each year this family-friendly event features live music, great food, a parade, kids’ activities, an ice cream social, a veterans’ tribute, and the singing of the National Anthem– all culminating in a spectacular fireworks show reflected in the waters of the Apalachicola River.

Here’s a sneak peek at some of this year’s details.

Our featured entertainment is the popular Bo Spring Band. Native to the gulf coast, they blend their crowd-pleasing Americana sound from Rock, Soul, Country, Funk and Bluegrass music. “We can’t wait to play this event,” says Lauren Spring, vocalist for the group. “We’re working on our set list now, focusing on feel-good tunes that people know and love. There will be something for everyone.” The band released their debut album in 2017.

New this year will be a food truck “food court”. We’re excited to be offering a tasty array of American and international favorites plus snow cones and other treats that the whole family will love. With more than 6,000 people expected to attend the event, the food court concept allows us to offer more variety and faster service. We think it will be a hit.

Also new, the Center for History, Culture, and Art will be offering free kids’ art activities. Located just across the street from Riverfront Park, the center will host a kids’ art fair with all art supplies provided at no charge. Director Merrill Livingston is putting together a fun collection of collage materials, canvasses, and red, white, and blue paint for kids of all ages to create their own art piece to take home. Face painting will also be available. Parents will enjoy perusing the gallery of Independence Day themed art for sale by local artists.

This event is the winner of the Florida Secretary of State’s Main Street award for Outstanding Special Event. Each year, we try to keep the best elements while also raising the bar with something new and better. More than ever, we are counting on sponsors to make it all possible.  For sponsors who contribute $500 or more, we offer a special “thank you” by providing reserved tables in our VIP section on the docks–the perfect place to enjoy the festivities and view the fireworks show.

For more information, including the schedule, photos, videos, and more, please visit www.july3fireworks.com or call 844-272-2523.

 

Filed Under: July 3rd Celebration

Celebrate our Independence in Apalachicola!

June 1, 2017 by Augusta West

If you just can’t wait for July 4th, join us in Apalachicola as we celebrate our Independence a little ahead of everyone else in America, on Independence Eve! July 3, 2017 will mark our sixth annual celebration of this award-winning event that culminates in a spectacular fireworks display over the Apalachicola River. Enjoy live music, great food, a parade, ice cream, veterans’ tribute, and more hosted by Apalachicola Main Street from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Riverfront Park on Water Street. Hamburgers, hotdogs, fries, and beverages will be available. You can also enter a raffle for your chance to win a Yeti cooler.

This year’s featured entertainment is Johnny & the Love Seats. Lead Singer Johnny Hayes was a contestant on NBC’s “The Voice” where he wowed millions with his soulful talent. You can view his performances from the show of “Try a Little Tenderness,” “Hard to Handle” and other hits at johnnyandtheloveseats.com. His band is influenced by R&B and rock music legends and their shows are fun and energetic.

The Red, White and Blue Parade, organized by Franklin’s Promise Coalition, lines up at Lafayette Park at 6:30. Bicycles, golf carts, pedestrians, and dogs decked out in red, white and blue join in. There’s no registration, and spaces are first come, first served.  You’ll be given a poster to display the name of a veteran you’d like to honor. The parade heads down Avenue B to Riverfront Park. After the parade, get in line for ice cream and all the trimmings at the free ice cream social. Kids can visit the Project Impact tent for free face painting, art activities, games, and prizes throughout the afternoon.

The Veterans’ Tribute will be given by Major General James Donald, U.S. Army (Retired) of St. George Island. This will be followed by the National Anthem. When the sun dips below the horizon, fireworks are launched from a barge on the Apalachicola River, creating a stunning show of lights over the water while patriotic music plays. It’s the most impressive fireworks show on the Forgotten Coast, and many people have told us that it rivals the fireworks of much larger cities.

The event is free. Bring your lawn chairs or picnic blanket. For a more upscale experience, become a sponsor at the $500 level or above and enjoy a reserved table in our exclusive VIP section on the docks where you can savor complementary refreshments from a private bar while taking in the fabulous view.

This event is the winner of the 2015 Florida Secretary of State’s Main Street Award for Outstanding Special Event. Its success is due to strong community support from individuals, businesses, the City of Apalachicola, and other organizations.

For more information, photos, video, and the schedule, please visit www.july3fireworks.com or call 844-272-2523.

 

Filed Under: July 3rd Celebration

The Best Independence Celebration on the Forgotten Coast!

June 23, 2016 by Augusta West

Everything is coming together for our 5th annual Fireworks Celebration on July 3rd! Check our web page at www.july3fireworks.com for all the details! It’s not too late to reserve a table in our VIP section for a front row view of the fireworks over the river.

 

2016 poster

Filed Under: July 3rd Celebration

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