Happy Fourth of July!

Fly Your Flags Pinellas & Hillsborough Counties

Get out the bunting and fly your flags. Clean the grill. Make sure the pool is ready. Cut the grass, dig out your red, white and blue outfits and make plans to enjoy one of the best holidays of the year. July 4 is almost upon us and you want to be ready.

To help make the most of the upcoming July 4 holiday throughout the St. Petersburg – Tampa area and, for some, a well deserved long weekend, here is the lowdown on what’s happening throughout the Bay Area.

Pinellas County Fourth Of July Events:

St. Petersburg’s fireworks are set to go off at 9 p.m. from Spa Beach, 615 Second Ave., N, adjacent to The Pier. The waterfront parks will be perfect viewing areas, as will the approach to The Pier. For additional information, please call (727) 893-7465.

Gulfport will hold their Waterfront Arts celebration, including a fishing derby for kids, a family sand sculpting contest and a wealth of arts and crafts. Activities begin at 2 p.m. in Gulfport’s historic Waterfront Arts District, 3129 Beach Blvd. S. For more info, call (727) 322-5217. Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m.

Clearwater plans to Celebrate America with a live concert, games for kids of all ages and a variety of vendors. Activities will begin at 4 p.m. at Coachman Park, 301 Drew St., and fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m.

On Treasure Island, The Fourth’s fun begins at noon and features food and crafts, a variety of kid’s activities and live music. Fireworks will start at 9 p.m. at Sloppy Joe’s, 10650 Gulf Blvd. For more info, please call (727) 367-1600.

In Tarpon Springs, July 4 festivities kick off at 10 a.m. and will feature a hot dog eating contest, watermelon-seed spitting contests, potato sack races, live music and fireworks off Sunset Beach at dusk. Best viewing will be from Fred Howard Beach. For more information, call (727) 942-5628.

Celebrate in Hillsborough County:

Downtown Tampa will be lit from above with Fireworks at Channelside. Best viewing will be over the Garrison Channel from Channelside Bay Plaza, The Florida Aquarium, the American Victory Ship, Yacht Starship, Cotanchobee Park, the Marriott Waterside, the Forum and Harbour Island beginning at 9 p.m. For more information, please call (813) 223-4250.

The Tampa Bay History Center will offer free admission and extra hours on July 4. Authentic Civil War, Seminole War, Spanish-American War and World War II re-enactors will be on hand beginning at 10 a.m. The Center is located at 801 Old Water St. For more information, call (813) 228-0097.

Temple Terrace’s July 4 celebration will begin at 10 a.m. with a traditional parade starting at Gillette and Whiteway roads and ending on Ridgedale near the Little League fields. Fireworks at 9 p.m. from the Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club, entertainment included. Call (813) 935-8552.

Brandon presents its Fourth of July Blast featuring live music, kid’s entertainment and fireworks at Westfield Brandon, 459 Brandon Town Center.

In Plant City, a full evening of entertainment begins at 6 p.m. at the Plant City Stadium, 1810 East Park Rd. Fireworks light off at 9:15 p.m. Call (813) 659-4200 for additional info.

Happy Fourth of July everyone!