4th Of July (Sarasota, North Port, Venice: 2009, big house, high school)

[debvic]

This is our first 4th of July here in NP. Where do they do a fireworks display? Where is it easiest to park and to get out later? We may have guests here for the 4th and want to show them a good time. I don't want to go as far as Sarasota but would like to see a nice display.

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by debvic

This is our first 4th of July here in NP. Where do they do a fireworks display? Where is it easiest to park and to get out later? We may have guests here for the 4th and want to show them a good time. I don't want to go as far as Sarasota but would like to see a nice display.

Alright here's the deal with 4th of July in NP. They have fireworks over at NP High but don't and I repeat don't park in the parking lot at the high school. I got caught for 3 hours one year after watching fireworks there. So now if we go to the fireworks in NP we park at the Publix on the corner of Sumter Blvd and Price Blvd and walk over to the fireworks. It's only a few blocks and there's a sidewalk. The fireworks are actually pretty decent as well.

Whatever you do though don't park in the high school parking lot. You'll be forever and a day trying to get out.

[beachbum wannabe]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

Alright here's the deal with 4th of July in NP. They have fireworks over at NP High but don't and I repeat don't park in the parking lot at the high school. I got caught for 3 hours one year after watching fireworks there. So now if we go to the fireworks in NP we park at the Publix on the corner of Sumter Blvd and Price Blvd and walk over to the fireworks. It's only a few blocks and there's a sidewalk. The fireworks are actually pretty decent as well.

Whatever you do though don't park in the high school parking lot. You'll be forever and a day trying to get out.

Ok, how about the people in Englewood. Where would be the nearest place to go from here ,and see a decent fireworks display,if you or anyone might know,please point us in the right direction and also where not to park if possible or can we see the Northport display from here

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by beachbum wannabe

Ok, how about the people in Englewood. Where would be the nearest place to go from here ,and see a decent fireworks display,if you or anyone might know,please point us in the right direction and also where not to park if possible or can we see the Northport display from here

Hey Beachbum!

Well unfortunately Englewood has canceled their fireworks display because of lack of funding: Fireworks fall on hard times | HeraldTribune.com | Sarasota Florida | Southwest Florida's Information Leader
So your option would be to come to NP and not park at the HS. I think you can see them from Englewood but they are not really visible. We could see Englewood's last year but not real clearly.

Or you could could go over to Punta Gorda and they have them in Lashley Park. You can park just about anywhere along the water and see them. You can also get out pretty easily. I usually park at Gilchrist Park and let the kids play and leave from there.

Or you could head north to Venice and watch those fireworks and they shoot them off at the south jetty.

Or you could make your way up to Marina Jack's in Sarasota. Hang out in City Park there on the grass and watch them over the bay.

Or you could go out to Siesta Beach. You can view them anywhere from Stickney Point Bridge to the North Bridge. You can actually see Marina Jack's fireworks from Siesta as well and vice versa. The only problem with Siesta is there is one bridge on/off the north end and one bridge on/off the south end and the traffic gets a bit crazy.

I believe I've been to all listed and there isn't one that sticks out in my mind as a lot better. I would say the Sarasota ones last a bit longer. Probably due to increased funding for the fireworks in that area.

[mrsfly]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

Or you could could go over to Punta Gorda and they have them in Lashley Park. You can park just about anywhere along the water and see them. You can also get out pretty easily. I usually park at Gilchrist Park and let the kids play and leave from there.

Hi SoFLGal,
I was looking at the PG events calendar last night and it mentions the fireworks at Laishley Park. It says its from noon-10pm. Have you been to this? It lists, muscic, food, drinks, etc ending in fireworks display. Do you think its worth checking out?

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by mrsfly

Hi SoFLGal,
I was looking at the PG events calendar last night and it mentions the fireworks at Laishley Park. It says its from noon-10pm. Have you been to this? It lists, muscic, food, drinks, etc ending in fireworks display. Do you think its worth checking out?

Yup, I've been to it before. We usually have a big Re/Max balloon over at Laishley that takes people up for rides. Last year I hung out at Laishley in the day and watched the fireworks in North Port at night but I've watch them several times in Punta Gorda. They're actually quite good.

The event with the food, drinks, etc is OK. I wouldn't call it spectacular but certainly worth checking out. Usually the whole 4th of July thing in PG gets started with the Freedom Swim across the harbor in the morning.

My middle daughter is trying to talk me into doing this. I'm thinking I'll probably head down to PG this year. We usually go up in the balloon, get some drinks, food etc and then hang out at Gilchrist Park and let the kids play for a while before the fireworks but if I swim the harbor I'll probably go home after the swim and come back for the fireworks. I might be recruited to help with the balloon.

So, yeah I would go and have a good time. If you go let me know what you're wearing and maybe we could meet up. The Brooks' Team will probably be in PG for the 4th as well

[mrsfly]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

Yup, I've been to it before. We usually have a big Re/Max balloon over at Laishley that takes people up for rides. Last year I hung out at Laishley in the day and watched the fireworks in North Port at night but I've watch them several times in Punta Gorda. They're actually quite good.

The event with the food, drinks, etc is OK. I wouldn't call it spectacular but certainly worth checking out. Usually the whole 4th of July thing in PG gets started with the Freedom Swim across the harbor in the morning.

My middle daughter is trying to talk me into doing this. I'm thinking I'll probably head down to PG this year. We usually go up in the balloon, get some drinks, food etc and then hang out at Gilchrist Park and let the kids play for a while before the fireworks but if I swim the harbor I'll probably go home after the swim and come back for the fireworks. I might be recruited to help with the balloon.

So, yeah I would go and have a good time. If you go let me know what you're wearing and maybe we could meet up. The Brooks' Team will probably be in PG for the 4th as well

Sounds good! We are planning on coming in on Friday the 3rd. So we will be around. The inspection went fairly well, no major deal breakers that I can see. So far we're still on for closing on the 6th.

Actually waiting to chat with the better half of the Brooks team ( just kidding, hahaha) but sounds like she is having a hell of a day. But was hoping they'd be around too.

[debvic]

Originally Posted by SoFLGal

Alright here's the deal with 4th of July in NP. They have fireworks over at NP High but don't and I repeat don't park in the parking lot at the high school. I got caught for 3 hours one year after watching fireworks there. So now if we go to the fireworks in NP we park at the Publix on the corner of Sumter Blvd and Price Blvd and walk over to the fireworks. It's only a few blocks and there's a sidewalk. The fireworks are actually pretty decent as well.

Whatever you do though don't park in the high school parking lot. You'll be forever and a day trying to get out.

Thanks for all the info. I new you would have the scoop.

[beachbum wannabe]

SoFLGal, thanks for all the info on the fireworks in the area! I think at this point we may be leaning towards Punta Gorda.

[SoFLGal]

Looks like it might be a City-Data 4th of July bash in PG?? Let's see we have MrsFly, BeachBum, me, Big House as possibilities-anyone else?