With the new impetus surrounding enforcing social distancing rules, it’s hard to understand how cities can continue their annual traditions of parades and fireworks on Independence Day which have always attracted large crowds in past years and is something that we are trying to avoid at all costs this year. It wasn’t easy but we decided to put together our annual city by city list to see exactly what we can look forward to seeing this particular July 4th.
The City of Margate will parade festively decorated City vehicles through their neighborhoods so people won’t need to leave the confines of their homes. In addition, the fireworks show will only be 10 minutes long and visible to attendees who will need to remain in their cars. [Read more…]
The City of Plantation is following a similar path. Families will be encouraged to celebrate from the safety of their homes with a drive-by parade through Plantation’s streets. Fireworks will take place at an undisclosed location which will be closed to the public. Patriotic remarks by the mayor and council-members will be broadcast via Facebook and YouTube.
The City of Coral Springs will be parading through various neighborhoods and has outlined a map showing approximate times and locations when residents can step outside and waive patriotic flags.
The City of Fort Lauderdale will hold 4 small fireworks shows at the following locations:
- Beach Community Center Parking lot
- Holiday Park
- City Garage
- Carter Park
Even though these are public venues, they will be shut down during the fireworks shows and only visible to people at surrounding businesses, local homes and high rise condos.
Residents of Pompano Beach are invited to either look up to the sky or watch the fireworks through the City’s website, or Comcast Ch. 78 without being told where they will actually be launched at 9pm.
The cities of Hollywood, and Deerfield Beach have confirmed canceling their annual event for fear of contributing to the spread of Coronavirus.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
A city by city list of events was compiled by WPTV (local NBC affiliate) and upon review, most cities issued a similar statement citing the cancelation of their annual 4th of July events due to Covid-19. The following were exceptions:
“Red, White, & Blue in Boca,” a week-long Virtual 4th of July Celebration from June 27 – July 4 on the Boca Raton Recreation social media pages and the City of Boca Raton’s YouTube Channel.
This year Wellington will celebrate Independence Day with two fireworks displays. The displays will run simultaneously at Village Park (parking on-site. Gates open at 8 p.m.) and the Wellington Green Park, adjacent to The Mall at Wellington Green.
While the City’s Independence Day celebration will include fireworks, they will not be launched from near Flagler Drive but, instead, from two different undisclosed north and south locations to reach as many people as possible. Fireworks start at 9:00 p.m.
Celebrations from Around the Country
Since many of us are being urged to stay inside and watch the celebrations from the convenience of our couches, why not check out celebrations from other states around this great nation of ours? Here are a few we included on our virtual live music calendar for the 4th of July:
4-8pm – Asheville Downtown Virtual Concerts
Drop in to listen for a while or check out the whole four hours. Tune in to IamAVL’s YouTube channel to enjoy a diverse offering of local music on the Fourth of July holiday. Links to the virtual celebration will be posted on a variety of social media channels, making it easy for people to find, including on Visit Asheville, the City of Asheville and the Asheville Downtown Association’s Facebook pages. [more details can be found in the notes inside our calendar]
7-8pm – Cincinnati Symphony
Gather the family for a virtual July 4 concert—live from Music Hall.
- Conductor John Morris Russell and members of the Pops, along with special guests Melinda Doolittle and Over the Rhine, perform a July 4 concert you can experience at home.
- Enjoy special pre-recorded performances from the Steep Canyon Rangers and the U.S. Army Chorus.
- Stay for the Sousa! Stars and Stripes Forever becomes a virtual visual extravaganza to cap off the program.
- To access the free event: Go to the Live Events page on July 4 at 7 pm EST to watch.
8-10pm – Boston Pops Salute to Our Heroes
A Boston Pops Salute to Our Heroes will be aired on Bloomberg Television (available on cable/satellite and streaming services) and Bloomberg Radio on July 4, starting at 8 PM. The show will also be simulcast on Boston’s WHDH-TV.
- More info at: https://bostonpopsjuly4th.org/tunein/
8-10pm – PBS’ A Capitol Fourth
hosted by John Stamos and Vanessa Williams featuring performances by by Patti LaBelle, John Fogerty, Renée Fleming, The Temptations, Trace Adkins, Andy Grammer, Yolanda Adams, Brantley Gilbert, Lauren Alaina, Chrissy Metz, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Kelli O’Hara, Mandy Gonzalez and the National Symphony Orchestra, With Live Fireworks from Washington, D.C.
- Streaming online at http://www.pbs.org/a-capitol-fourth/home/
8-10pm – Wawa Welcome America
You’ll have a front row seat in the comfort of your home for this star-studded performance, featuring world-renowned Tony, Emmy & Grammy award-winning singer and actress Cynthia Erivo alongside the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, plus a high-energy set from American hitmaker, multi-platinum-selling singer-songwriter, producer, actor and dancer, Jason Derulo. The concert is broadcast live on NBC10 from the historic Met Philadelphia on the Independence Blue Cross Stage.
- Details and watch online at https://welcomeamerica.com/event/wawa-welcome-america-july-4th-concert/
Let’s not forget out Live Music Events around town every day of the week!
Don’t forget to check out the list of bands performing all over town and more via these online calendars at WeekendBroward:
- Fort Lauderdale Live Music Calendar– An hour by hour listing of bands playing today from Hollywood up to Pompano Beach, including exact times and special notes. Plus, virtual events for those who wish to stay home.
- Palm Beach County Live Music Calendar – Bands playing tonight in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth and West Palm Beach.
The campaign launched today with a virtual event featuring video and live content from multiple locations throughout Broward County, highlighting the community’s many cultures and diversities. The 90-day stimulus initiative is co-chaired by Tony Coley, Regional President – South Florida, Truist, and Penny Shaffer, Market President – South Florida, Florida Blue. In addition to inspiring individuals to be Supporters of Broward, the campaign encourages major companies and organizations to reroute spending to local firms and engage Broward County certified small businesses as new sources for goods and services.
The multi-channel campaign comprised of print, broadcast, social, digital and outdoor media highlights local businesses of all sizes and types, nonprofits, cities and Chambers of Commerce throughout Broward County and engages consumers through a series of creative promotions, incentives and contests to buy local and be an SOB. The campaign is a special project of Six Pillars Broward, a community-wide initiative of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance and its 501C3 Alliance Foundation.
