Celebrate by boat or car the July 4th weekend  fireworks. They begin here in Longboat Key’s historic Village Friday, July 2nd on a barge just offshore from the Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub and Moore’s Stone Crab Restaurant on Broadway Street!
Or for those coming by boat, ICW marker # 39. The event is co- sponsored by Mar Vista, Moore’s, the Longboat Key Club and Resort, The Longboat Observer and Cannons Marina. I especially love this light show, not because we sponsor it, but because it’s a really fun way to spend an evening whether on the bay or at one of our local restaurants. And if you’re planning on having a front row seat, I highly recommend making a reservation today. Mar Vista (941) 383-2391; Moore’s Stone Crab  941-383-1748.
Can’t make it to Longboat Key? For your convenience I have listed other local July 4th fireworks displays for Anna Maria, Palmetto Sarasota and Siesta Key.
July 3rd
Bradenton Beach, The BeachHouse Restaurant
Located at 200 Gulf Drive N, Bradenton Beach, The Beach House Restaurant is a perennial local favorite for fireworks. VIP party packages are available. Park at the public beach, or even better yet, go by boat for a really sweet fireworks display. BeachHouse: (941) 779-2222.
July 4 Anna Maria Island, The Sandbar Restaurant
Located at 100 Spring Avenue at the north end of Anna Maria Island, The Sandbar hosts fireworks at about dark-30! Viewing is free but if you are planning to sit down on the deck , get there early. The Sandbar: (941) 778-0444

July 4th Sarasota Bayfront
The Sarasota fireworks over Sarasota Bay is part of the Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix Festival, is free and can be viewed from anywhere downtown including Bayfront Park and Island Park. Anchor your boat in Sarasota Bay! This is an awesome show!
July Siesta Key, Crescent Beach
This is Siesta Key’s 21st annual 4th of July Fireworks Display & Party. Fireworks over Siesta Key are just north of the volleyball courts and the viewing is good from anywhere south and along Crescent Beach (south of Siesta Public Beach), on your boat or even from the Intracoastal Waterway.

July 4th Bradenton
Bradenton’s fireworks begin at about 9 p.m. on the Manatee River very near Mattison’s Riverside restaurant. Make a reservation; go by boat or just hang-out along the waterfront.  Mattison’s: (941) 748-8087

July 4th Palmetto
The Palmetto fireworks can be viewed along the Manatee River near the Green Bridge along the Manatee River. There are earlier events including live entertainment, food for all tastes, children’s activities and fireworks. Festivities start at 11am with a fireworks display beginning at dark.