It’s another sign of normalcy’s return: free Fourth of July festivities sponsored by just about every city, town and village in South Florida. Here are five of our curated favorites from Fort Lauderdale to Jupiter.
4th of July Spectacular Fort Lauderdale
A1A and Los Olas Boulevard
The Beach Boys
The City of Fort Lauderdale snagged the biggest “get” this year. The Mike Love-fronted iteration of the Beach Boys, a singular institution in American pop music with more than five decades of recording and touring under their sun-bleached belts, will kick off their 2021 Feel Flows tour right here in Fort Lauderdale. Their 90-minute set, beginning at 7:30 p.m., will be preceded by performances by Big City Dogs (5 p.m.) and Miami Sound-Byte Band (2 p.m.). A Family Zone, open from noon until 5 p.m., will feature a DJ, waterslides, arts and crafts, face painting and games, with everything culminating in fireworks at 9 p.m.
Independence Weekend Celebrations
Throughout Delray Beach
The City of Delray Beach is expanding the frivolity to two days this year, beginning with the second-annual SPARKtacular Sidewalk Sale, with independent downtown merchants offering special discounts from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; stop by Andree Dupree Designer Handbags, Hy Ma Hy Pa, Salutations of Delray, Avalon Gallery, Just Hearts and Sara Campbell and see what deals you can unearth. While you’re in Delray on July 3, check out Pompey Park’s Uncle Sam Jam. Running from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., this family-oriented gathering includes live entertainment, children’s activities, food and merchandise vendors, pool games, and strolling jugglers and magicians.
Independence Day kicks off the following day with a longtime Delray Beach tradition: the July 4th Sand Sculpting Contest from 9 to 11 a.m. Gather around the morning’s artists—but not too close, because this is a socially distanced event this year—and see what transient masterpieces emerge near the coastline. Unlike in normal years, there won’t be live beachside music this year, probably to discourage large crowds, but fireworks will be launched at 9 p.m. from “two undisclosed locations in the city.”
July Fourth Celebration Boynton Beach
Intracoastal Park, 2240 N. Federal Highway
Palm Beach Hydroflight
Boynton Beach will celebrate the holiday with a jam-packed three-hour shindig, which, as far as we know, is the only Independence Day event to include live water shows from Palm Beach Hydroflight. Athletes will surf the skies, 50 feet in the air, on propelled Jet boards for two performances, at 6:35 and 7:35 p.m. Other live entertainment includes a performance of the Star Spangled Banner from a member of the Young Singers of the Palm Beaches, a Presentation of Colors by the Boynton Beach Fire Rescue Department, children’s music from DJ Li’l Marsh, and steel drummer Peter Bernard. Headliner Green Means GO Band will perform hits from the ‘80s to today, leading right into the 9 p.m. Zambelli fireworks display.
Nosh and drinks will be provided by food trucks from Boardwalk Italian Ice & Creamery, Cardona’s Kitchen, Guaco Go, Just Eatz, Kona Ice, Little Moir’s, Potions in Motion, Professional Concessions and Troy’s Bar-Be-Que. A laundry list of kids’ activities includes oversized games, a ukulele circle, chalk walks, watercolors and crafting, a scavenger hunt and much more. There will be limited parking at the destination itself, but attendees are encouraged to park at the Town Square Parking Lot (100 E. Boynton Beach Blvd.), Journey Church (715 Federal Highway) or NYU Langone (3301 Quantum Blvd.) and take a free shuttle to the event.
4th of July Weekend Block Party
Downtown Abacoa and Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, Jupiter
Across the Universe
Sports enthusiasts and music lovers can choose their preferred way to spend Independence Weekend in this North County hot spot. Both nights will feature live minor league baseball games between the Dunedin Blue Jays and Palm Beach Cardinals starting at 6 p.m. (paid tickets are required for game attendance only), while top bands will perform next door in Downtown Abacoa. On Saturday night, Across the Universe, South Florida’s preeminent Beatles tribute, will take the stage, while Sunday night welcomes renowned blues trio JP Soars and the Red Hots. Sunday’s event will culminate, of course, in fireworks launched from the stadium.
Drive-In Fireworks Display
Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park, 11200 Park Access Road, Boca Raton
For those who still want to play it a bit safer this year—or for the generally crowd-weary—West Boca is offering this drive-in option to enjoy the 9 p.m. fireworks display shot from Sunset Lake, next to the on-site Sunset Cove Amphitheater. Overflow parking lots open at 7 p.m. at Sunset Cove, and visitors are not required to remain in their cars; however, a synchronized soundtrack to the fireworks will run on a local radio station for those who remain car-bound.
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