Happy Birthday America 2012!

For the past 236 years, Americans have celebrated our separation from England, and our independence as a free and democratic society. It’s our very own national day, and we commemorate it with all the gusto that continues to make the United States the best country in which to live.

And it’s a bonus that it’s a national holiday that comes with a long summer weekend to spend with friends and family. Time for cookouts, the beach, boating, music and of course, fireworks throughout the St. Petersburg-Tampa area.

In downtown St. Petersburg, the center of the action will The Pier, where there’s a full day of activities for the entire family, live music, and fireworks starting at 9pm.

On Treasure Island, the fun begins at noon behind the Belmar Beach Resort with live music, food vendors, a watermelon eating contests and fireworks at 9.

If you’re on St. Pete Beach, check out the fireworks display just offshore from the City’s public beaches, and to the south, which will begin just after dusk.

Festivities at Coachman Park in Clearwater will begin at 4 p.m., with a variety of family activities, and at 7 p.m. the 40-person Mostly Pops Orchestra will perform. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m., and Clearwater boasts they have the largest fireworks extravaganza in the Bay Area.

The Tampa Bay Rowdies play the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers at 6:30 p.m. at Al Lang Field, where you’ll be able to watch the downtown fireworks following the game.

In downtown Tampa, Channelside will be the place to go for fireworks, which will kick off at 9 p.m. And of course, Busch Gardens will offer up their Summer Nights promotion, which includes fireworks pretty much through August 12 with an extra spectacular display slated for July 4.

Wherever you celebrate July 4, enjoy them safely.