Happy 4th of July, boaters! With the long holiday weekend right in front of us, we wanted to give you a heads-up and a roundup of some of the best fireworks displays around the marina, and how to catch them.
The Bradenton Marauders’ Independence Day Celebration
Sunday, July 3 | 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Maybe you can’t stay for the holiday itself, or maybe you just want to catch a baseball game while you’re here. On Sunday, the Bradenton Marauders host the Tampa Tarpons for their annual Independence Day game, with all the fun of the regular season plus souvenir T-shirts for the first 1,500 guests through the gate and a post-game fireworks show. Check the Marauders’ website for tickets and availability.
Red, White, and Boom at The Bishop
Monday, July 4 | 6 – 10 p.m.
This year, the Bishop Museum is hosting a family-friendly, all-ages event with some of the best views of the Manatee River you’ll find. You’ll have plenty of room to lay out a blanket and take in kids’ activities, a cash bar, and of course the fireworks right from the museum’s Riverside Plaza. Kids under 4 years-old attend free, and you can find tickets and more information at the Bishop’s website, here.
The Bradenton Riverwalk
Speaking of great views of the Manatee, if you’re looking for more of a self-guided experience, the Bradenton Riverwalk just south of the marina is a 1.5-mile trail that runs–you guessed it–right along the river. From anywhere along the trail you can expect a fantastic view of the show once the sun goes down. Our tip: get there early to claim your spot, because it’s not exactly a hidden gem.
Wherever you end up for your holiday weekend, we hope you stay safe, have fun, and get to experience even a little of what the area has to offer.