Where to celebrate the 4th of July in the Miami area

June 27, 10:28 PMMiami Travel ExaminerGeorge Leposky

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The 2007 fireworks display at Bayfront Park
in downtown Miami. Credit: Robin Hill

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Where will you celebrate the U.S.A.’s birthday this year? Miami and environs have no shortage of Independence Day celebrations. Take your pick.

Common to most of these events are fireworks, food, and music. Depending on where you go, you also may encounter a parade, a scavenger hunt, and various child-oriented activities. Here are details:

Bayfront Park

Bayfront Park  in downtown Miami is holding America's Birthday Bash, a free event with live multicultural music in the Bayfront Amphitheatre and one of the largest fireworks displays in south Florida, shot from a barge in Biscayne Bay.

The park will be open all day, with a free Kids' Zone open from 3 PM to 7 PM that includes inflatable slides, a “kiddie carousel,” hoops, and face painting. The fireworks begin at 9 PM.

Vendors’ booths will offer a variety of foods and beverages. Park officials ask that you not bring bottles, cans, coolers, or personal fireworks to the park.

Bayfront Park is at 301 N. Biscayne Blvd., Miami FL 33132. 305-358-7550.

Miami Beach

The City of Miami Beach is holding its free 4th of July event, An American Celebration, on the beach at 8th Street and Ocean Drive.

City officials advise everyone to arrive early. Bring beach chairs and towels, but no bottles or coolers. The celebration begins at 7:30 PM with music by DJ Irie. Fireworks start at 9 PM.

 Miami Beach Tourism Center, 305-673-7400.

Coconut Grove

Miami’s eclectic Coconut Grove neighborhood offers a full day and evening of activities, beginning with an old-fashioned 4th of July picnic from 11 AM to 4 PM at The Barnacle Historic State Park, 3485 Main Hwy. Dress in period costumes, bring a picnic lunch, and enjoy period-inspired activities such as lawn games, kite-making, and knot-tying. Commodore Ralph Munroe's home – Miami’s first house still standing on its original ground – will be open for tours and the verdant waterfront will be festooned with traditional 4th of July bunting. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children aged six to 12; free for children under six.

During the afternoon, the Antique Marketplace at the Mayfair Promenade, 2911 Grand Ave., will be open.

At 2:15 PM, registration for a coconut scavenger hunt will begin at The Barnacle; CocoWalk, 3015 Grand Ave.; and the bull sculpture in the Mayfair Passage on Grand Avenue near Mary Street. Volunteers have painted coconuts and will sequester them around the neighborhood. People who find them will win prizes. The hunt begins at 3:15 PM at the bull sculpture.

A gourmet hot-dog-eating contest is planned at 4:30 PM in front of CocoWalk.

From 4 PM on, the focus of activity shifts to Peacock Park, 2820 McFarlane Rd. The scavenger hunt winners will be announced in the park at 5 PM. Food and beverage booths will assuage the hunger and thirst of the assembled multitudes. A free concert features four bands: Campo Deluxe Jazz Quartet, First October, JT4, and Ryan Stone Music. After sunset, fireworks will illuminate the sky above the Peacock Park waterfront.

Following the fireworks display, a block party will close Commodore Plaza in the heart of the Grove to vehicular traffic. Restaurants will set up tables in the street, and the 18 Wheelers will serenade partygoers far into the night.

Also planned is a Red White and Blue Day After Party & Bar-b-cue by the Pool from 1 PM to 4 PM on July 5th at the Doubletree Coconut Grove Hotel. Admission is free and includes a Bacardi Mojito and a Suny Side Massage. A buffet lunch (which is not free) will be served, too.

Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce, 305- 444-7270.

Key Biscayne

The island community of Key Biscayne is celebrating with its 50th annual hometown Independence Day parade along Crandon Boulevard, complete with homemade floats and marching bands. The parade begins at 11 AM.

Afterwards the annual Old Fashioned Picnic takes place on the Village Green, and after dark a fireworks display will light up the night sky along the beach.

 Village of Key Biscayne 305-365-5511.

South Miami

The City of South Miami holds its annual Fourth of July celebration at Palmer Park, 6120 SW 67th Ave., beginning at 5 PM. The event features live entertainment, informational exhibits, family activities, face painting, and children’s games. Food and beverage vendors will be present. The fireworks display begins at 9:15 PM. City officials ask you not to bring alcoholic beverages, pets, or personal fireworks.
 

 South Miami,  305-668-2510 or 305-668-7232.

Homestead

In the far southern reaches of Miami-Dade County, the City of Homestead is hosting an Independence Day festival and fireworks display at the Homestead Sports Complex, 1601 SE 28th Ave., Homestead FL 33035-1204.

The festival begins at noon. It will feature a car show, rides, entertainment, food, and performances by three bands: The Mauxms, The Caribbean Chillers, and Music Depot. The fireworks show is scheduled for 9 PM.

City of Homestead Department of Parks and Recreation,  305-224-4580 or 305-224-4570.

Upper Eastside

The Upper Eastside’s 10th Annual Fourth of July with Fireworks is sponsored by the American Legion Harvey Seeds Post 29   & Ladies Auxiliary. It will take place at the organization’s headquarters, 6445 NE 7th Ave., one block east of Biscayne Boulevard at NE 64th Street.

Free kiddie rides and music begin at 4:30 PM. A $15 barbecue dinner will be available at Post 29’s "Harvey's By the Bay" Restaurant at 7 PM. The fireworks take place at 9 PM.

The event is also the 91st annual Independence Day celebration for Post 29. The first American Legion post in Florida, Post 29 was named after Harvey W. Seeds, the first man from Dade County to die in World War I.

American Legion Harvey Seeds Post 29   & Ladies Auxiliary 305-757-5773.

North Miami

Two separate 4th of July celebrations will take place in North Miami.
The city’s official Independence Day on the Bay Celebration is at the Florida International University Biscayne Bay Campus at 3000 NE 151st Street, overlooking Biscayne Bay. The gates open at 6 PM. Activities include children's games, live entertainment, and a fireworks show. Food will be available. Attendees should bring a blanket or lawn chairs.

  City of North Miami,  305-895-9840.

Later that night, the Democratic Party of Miami-Dade County  is having a bash hosted by North Miami’s newly elected mayor, Andre Pierre, from 9 PM to 2 AM at the Indigo7 Bar & Banquet Hall, 14135 NW 7th Ave. Free food, cheap drinks, and lots of dancing are promised. The cost is $15 online, $20 at the door.

 Democratic Party of Miami-Dade County, 305-477-4994

North Miami Beach

In North Miami Beach, the 4th of July is Swim-Dependence Day from noon to 5 PM at the Victory Pool Family Aquatics Center, 1980 NE 19th Ave.


The event features open swimming, water games and activities, a water slides contest, raffles, and prizes. Food and refreshments will be available. Admission is $2 for adults, $1.50 for children.

Victory Pool Family Aquatics Center,  305-948-2926.

Miami Gardens

At LandShark Stadium (formerly Dolphin Stadium),  2269 Dan Marino Blvd., Miami Gardens FL 33056, the Florida Marlins clash with the Pittsburgh Pirates in a Major League Baseball game that starts at 6:10 PM.

After the last out, whoever wins the ballgame, the audience wins a free-with-admission concert by KC & the Sunshine Band and a spectacular fireworks display above the stadium.

Landshark Stadium,  888-271-2269.

Coral Gables

Sorry, folks, but the City of Coral Gables  has cancelled its traditional 4th of July celebration on the grounds of the Biltmore Hotel. City officials posted this explanation to their Web site:

“The City of Coral Gables is facing financial challenges and therefore, will not be holding the annual Fourth of July fireworks.

“This is another step in the City's efforts to reduce cost, which has already resulted in a citywide freeze on hiring, capital and discretionary spending and the elimination of part-time and temporary positions.

 Office of Public Affairs  305-460-5205.

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