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You are here: Home / July 3 Celebration

July 3 Celebration

Downtown Apalachicola Independence Eve Celebration

Event Info Schedule Reserve a Table Sponsors Photos Food Trucks Volunteer
Event Info

The Best Fireworks Display on the Forgotten Coast

Join us for the Independence Eve Fireworks Celebration at Riverfront Park in downtown Apalachicola on July 3rd. This fantastic event culminates in a stunning fireworks display over the Apalachicola River.

One of the 12 Best Independence Events in Florida!

Our Independence Eve Celebration was named one of the Top 12 Independence Events in Florida by the digital travel magazine Trips to Discover! We are honored to hold this distinction.

Live Music & Fun for the Whole Family

Enjoy live music, the veteran’s tribute, and more. Admission is free, and lawn chairs and picnic blankets are welcome. Our opening band is Flying Fish staring at 6 p.m., followed by Apalachicola Blues Authority featuring Bernard Simmons. Stay tuned for more info on all the performers!

Awesome Food Trucks!

Bring your appetite and check out all the delicious options in the food truck food court! You can find a complete guide to this year's lineup of food trucks here.

An Award-Winning Summer Tradition

The community comes together each year for this family-friendly event.  We’re proud to host the most patriotic celebration around, with the singing of the National Anthem, a veteran’s tribute, and a performance of God Bless America. This event is the winner of a Florida Main Street Honor Award for Outstanding Special Event.

Reserve a Table Today! Click Here!

For an upscale experience, reserve a table in the Sponsor Section on the docks. You’ll enjoy complimentary  beverages and a fantastic view of the fireworks over the river! Click here to make your reservation online. Or call 844-272-2523 or email [email protected] for more information. This event is made possible by the generous financial support of sponsors from as far away as north Georgia, Tennessee, and south Florida, but you'll also recognize many local and regional names on our sponsor listing. Perfect for businesses or families!

Schedule

Event Schedule

 

 

 

 

 

 

6:00 Opening Prayer by Apalachicola Mayor Brenda Ash

6:10  Flying Fish kicks off the evening's live music festivities

6:30 The Red, White, & Blue Parade, organized by Franklin’s Promise Coalition and the Crew of the Conservation Corps of the Forgotten Coast, departs from Lafayette Park. For parade details and contact information, click here.

7:00 Apalachicola Blues Authority featuring Bernard Simmons takes the stage. The band plays a great mix of crowd-pleasing genres!

8:20 God Bless America performed by Gordon Adkins

8:25 Speaker introduction by Rear Admiral (LH) Mark R. Milliken, United States Navy (retired)

8:30-8:40 The Veterans Tribute given by Colonel Chris Zingarelli, United States Space Force

8: 45 Apalachicola Blues Authority back on stage

9:10 The Star-Spangled Banner performed by Faith Lynch

9:10 – 9:30 The Forgotten Coast's MOST SPECTACULAR FIREWORKS DISPLAY reflected in the waters of the Apalachicola River!

Get the Latest!

For all the latest event details, please subscribe to our e-newsletter and check our facebook page.

 

 

 

Reserve a Table

Table Reservations

For an upscale experience, CLICK HERE TO RESERVE A TABLE in the Sponsor Section on the docks. You’ll enjoy complimentary beverages from a private bar and a fantastic view of the fireworks over the river! Picnic baskets and coolers are welcome. New! Select the table of your choice from a map of the venue! Register early for the best seats.

You can also call us at 844-272-2523 to pay by phone or email [email protected] with any questions.

Event Sponsor ($1,200): One large reserved table with seating for 8 in the Sponsor Section with complimentary beverages. Recognition on the website, newspaper ad, and e-newsletter.

Grand Patron ($600): One reserved table with seating for 4 in the Sponsor Section with complimentary beverages. Recognition on the  website, newspaper ad, and e-newsletter.

Sponsors

This event is 100% funded through the generosity of our Sponsors. Thank You!

 

Title Sponsor

Allen Jones

Premier Sponsors

Cates Electric Services, Inc.
Cathy Caddell
Terry Nelson
Clayton Sembler
George Mahr
Galloway Construction, Inc.

Event Sponsors

98 Liquors
Apalachicola Ace Hardware
Apalachicola Bee Company
Apalachicola Chocolate & Coffee Company
Billy Schultz
Blue Shark Vodka & Rob Zingarelli
Bonnie Davis
Buccaneer Inn
Cape San Blas Realty, Inc
Centennial Bank
Coca-Cola Bottling Co. United, Panama City
Construct Group SE
Don and Sue McClure
Gordon & Sandra Adkins - SunCoast Realty
Gunn Heating and Air Conditioning Inc
Johanna Plummer
Laura Conrad
Linda Stratton, Northpoint Mortgage
Lisa & Vernon Taylor
Lisa and Cliff Bristol
Lopinot Family
Mariterese Balthrop
Mollie Hill
Oliver Peterson
Panache Tent & Event
Plantation Boat & RV Storage
Ralph Roberson
Robyn Padgett
Sam Gilbert - SunCoast Vacation Rentals
SEA TOW Panama City & Port City Ventures
Sharon & Tom Morgan
Shelley Shepard, Berkshire Hathaway
The Station Raw Bar
Ulrich Construction, Inc
Weems Memorial Hospital
White Sands Hospitality

Grand Patrons

Allen Boyd - Boyd Farms Fresh
Appraisal Group of North Florida
Bring Me A Book Franklin, Inc.
Candace & Ed Springer
Century 21 Collins Realty
CWR Contracting
Donna Carmon
Emerald Coast Federal Credit Union
Gary Adams
Gordon & Sandra Adkins - SunCoast Realty
Law Offices of J. Patrick Floyd
Leavins Seafood
Leslie & Al McWilliams
Oyster City Brewing Co., LLC
Oyster Radio
St. Joe Gas
Stephanie Hollifield
The Vacation Property Group dba VayK Gear
Waste Pro
Water Street Seafood, Inc.

Patrons

BlueWater Outriggers
Cape Trading Post
Fisherman's Choice
Jan & Lowell Thomas

Supporters

Shaun Donahoe
Bob & Susan Oakes

Community Partners

Tommy Ward & 13 Mile Seafood
Fonda Davis & Crew
Oyster City Brewing Company
Piggly Wiggly
Franklin's Promise Coalition
Conservation Corp of the Forgotten Coast
Apalachicola Police Department
Apalachicola Volunteer Fire Department
Franklin County Sheriff's Office
Franklin County EMS

Photos

Happy family at July event
Woman with dog in the parade
Kids in Costumes
Join in the parade!

Food Trucks

Check out the awesome food trucks that will be serving the crowd on July 3rd!

 

​Big Boi’s Roadside Grill & Seafood

Serving: BBQ, Chicken, Ribs, Pulled Pork, Grilled Sausage, Hamburgers, Fish, Shrimp & Fries

Crave

Serving: Walking Tacos, Soft Serve Ice Cream, Milk Shakes, and Donut Holes

Dave's Dawg House 

Serving: Hot Dawgs, Sausage Dawgs, Boiled Peanuts, Chips & Beverages

The Mellow Mullet 

Serving: New Orleans style, sweet and fluffy, shaved ice. 2 Trucks will be on-site to serve you!

SGI Food Truck

Serving: Hand-patted 1/3 burgers, BBQ Fries, Tater Tots & Beverages

The Spice is Right

Serving: regional cuisine with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Barbeque · Seafood · Burgers

That's What Cheese Said

Serving: Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Mac & Cheese with assorted stuffings or toppings

RoRo’s Acai Bowls

Serving: Delicious, organic acai bowls rich in nutrients with an assortment of fruit toppings

Sippin' Lemon 

Serving: 32 oz. Fresh Squeezed Fruit Chillers - Lemonade, Strawberry, & Pacific

Volunteer

Volunteering

We love our volunteers! They work hard, have fun, and make this award-winning event possible. We still have a few slots open. If you'd like to join the team, you can sign up online at the links below, give us a call at 844-272-2523, or email [email protected]

  • Event Setup: On the morning of the event, set up tents and tables, unload supplies, and help set up stations for the event at Riverfront Park. Strong backs are helpful!
  • Reserved Seating Section Setup: Party prep! Help place tablecloths, centerpieces, signs, lights, décor, and supplies in the Sponsors' Reserved Seating Section on the docks.
  • Runner: Carry supplies and ice to where it's needed. This job is critical to keep the event running smoothly!
  • Post-Event Clean Up: Stick around after the fireworks to help pack up, clean up, and load up. Many hands make light work!
  • July 4th Downtown Apalachicola Clean Up: On July 3rd, thousands of people attend Apalachicola Main Street's Independence Eve Fireworks Celebration at Riverfront Park. The next morning (July 4th), our mission is to leave the park cleaner than we found it before the event. The cleanup extends to nearby streets and sidewalks to keep our city clean and to prevent litter from blowing into the river and bay. Bring gloves and drinking water. Trash bags will be provided. Meet at Riverfront Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About

Our mission is to enhance downtown Apalachicola through sound economic development which promotes our future while preserving our past.

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Contact

APALACHICOLA MAIN STREET, INC.
P.O. Box 156
Apalachicola, Florida 32329
[email protected]

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