Family-Friendly Fourth of July Festivities Planned Throughout Florida Keys

FLORIDA KEYS — Local parades, beach parties, festivals and glittering fireworks are to highlight Independence Day celebrations throughout the Florida Keys. Highlights include:
 
Key West
The Key Lime Festival features culinary and libation adventures through Tuesday, July 4, showcasing the tiny fruit that inspired Key lime pie, the Florida Keys’ signature dessert. The lip-smacking Key Lime Pie Eating Championship, the festival highlight, is set for 1:30 p.m. July 4 at the oceanfront Southernmost Beach Cafe at 1405 Duval St. Participants with their hands behind their backs must dive in face-first to devour an entire 9-inch Key lime pie faster than their rivals. The event is free for spectators and gates open at 11 a.m. Visit keylimefestival.com.

The Key West Mermaid Festival is filled with splish-splashing fun through July 4th with interactive mermaid adventures in the island city. Events include  enjoy donuts with mermaid Ariel and Prince Eric from July 4 from 9-10:30 a.m. on the beach at Lagerheads, 0 Simonton St. Then, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., watch as mermaids perform for the cameras during a music video taping. A portion of festival proceeds is to benefit Reef Relief's efforts to protect the coral reef ecosystem. Visit keywestmermaidfestival.com.

Since 1976, the Rotary Club of Key West has presented the island’s annual Independence Day fireworks show. Staged from the Edward B. Knight Pier overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at 1800 White St., fireworks are to begin at 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 4. Spectators can view the spectacle from Smathers Beach, Higgs Beach, or from oceanside hotels and restaurants. Attendees can celebrate before the fireworks at a catered, ticketed “Patriotic Dinner Under the Fireworks” next to the pier at Indigenous Park, 1801 White St., starting at 7 p.m. Dinner proceeds are to benefit the Rotary Club of Key West’s scholarship fund. Visit keywestrotary.com.

Marathon
In family-oriented Marathon, Sombrero Beach is the site of one of the Keys’ largest and longest fireworks displays, produced by the City of Marathon and the Rotary Club of Marathon. Spectators on land and hundreds of boaters traditionally line up for colorful views of the spectacular show. A full day of activities includes a patriotic parade starting at 11 a.m. from Marathon High School to the beach on Sombrero Beach Road, followed by food and games. Fireworks are to start at approximately 9 p.m., and US1 Radio 104.1 is to play patriotic music along with the display. Boaters are encouraged to watch from the waters off Sombrero Beach. For more information, visit floridakeysmarathon.com.

Islamorada
The Upper Keys Rotary Club hosts the Independence Day Celebration at Founders Park, mile marker 87 bayside, from 6-10 p.m. July 4. There will be food trucks, games, music and special events including an apple pie baking contest with judging at 6:30 p.m. and the Patriotic People & Pets Parade and Costume Contest at 7:30 p.m. Fireworks are to begin after sunset. On-site parking will be available for a suggested donation of $10 per vehicle. Proceeds benefit the Upper Keys Rotary Foundation. No coolers, glass containers or outside food are permitted, but attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. Visit islamoradachamber.com or call 305-664-4503.           

Key Largo
The Key Largo Chamber of Commerce is to host the 47th annual “Celebrating Freedom” Fourth of July parade between 9:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m., to begin at mile marker 98.2 in front of Anthony’s Clothing Store and proceed to Laguna Avenue near Key Largo Community Park. At approximately 9:45 p.m., the annual bayfront Blackwater Sound fireworks celebration is to be held at Rowell’s Waterfront Park, mile marker 104.5 bayside. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Parking is limited, and organizers recommend spectators bring their own lawn chairs. The fireworks also can be viewed at several businesses located on the Bay. For more details, visit web.keylargochamber.org/events or call 305-451-1414.