From picnics to fireworks, July 4th events abound
The city’s annual Red, White & Boom celebration will kick off at 4 p.m., Monday, July 4, with activities and food and drinks for the entire family to enjoy.
The weekend’s concluding event will feature more than 100 food and drink vendors, along with many merchandise vendors.
Bob Knickman, special events director of the Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce, the host of the event, said they have been involved in planning Red, White & Boom for the past 20 years.
Every year the event attracts a crowd of more than 20,000 people.
Knickman said that Red, White & Boom is a free event thanks to title sponsor RE/MAX Reality and the city of Cape Coral.
Yoselyn Hollow with the RE/MAX Realty Team said they are offering a VIP area for those who purchase tickets. The air-conditioned VIP tent will have food from local businesses, beverage tickets and raffle tickets.
The grand prize raffle winner will be escorted to the top of the bridge to view the fireworks and then be escorted back down once they are over.
The first Prism TV Freedom 5k Race will begin at 6:30 p.m. on July 4.
Registration is $35 the day of the race. The race will begin behind the stage on Cape Coral Parkway and then head east over the bridge through the toll plaza to the McGregor flyover and back.
The Florida Performance Academy is sponsoring the kids’ zone, which will include inflatable bounce houses, climbing walls and obstacle courses. The kids’ zone is free.
Local favorite Smack Daddy will be the opening band and Heidi Newfield will be the headline act. She will take the stage at 8 p.m.
Knickman said a free Boom trolley service will also be available to everyone who parks downtown. He said the trolleys will bring the individuals closer to the event and drop them off.
Harley Davidson Bueu of Fort Myers will hold a special American Tribute presentation to honor local servicemen and women who were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Knickman said the motorcycles will come over the bridge before the fireworks begin.
The fireworks will go off around 9:30 p.m., weather permitting.
In preparation of the event, the Cape Coral Parkway Bridge will close at 9 a.m. on July 4 and reopen at 2 or 3 a.m. before the Tuesday traffic begins.
There will free handicapped parking on 1629 S.E. 47th Street behind the Elrey Jesus Church and $10 for non-handicap parking. The parking is two blocks away from the event.
Free high decibel door alarms will be given away to 200 families with a home pool or spa and young children on Monday. Those who are interested in the door alarm should visit the Lee Memorial Health System tent to register during Red White and Boom for the chance to win.