July 4th celebrations abound
America has a big milestone coming up this weekend, and The Breeze has readers covered with everything they need to know about local events, as well as a commemorative section.
The Breeze Newspapers’ “America 250” series rolled out over the last 10 weeks and concludes with a special section in today’s weekend edition.
The series included weekly Voices of Valor — nearly three dozen local veterans sharing what our country means to them — as well as the special section in today’s Breeze that includes contributed stories on the history Cape Coral’s Veteran’s Monument; Four Freedoms Park; the Cape Coral Museum of History’s “Salute to America” exhibit, and, on the state level, stories on Florida — the 14th colony’s War of Dependence and the Southern Underground, the movement of enslaved people to the south during the Revolutionary War.
“It was interesting and educational for all of us here at The Breeze to step back and reflect on the 250th anniversary of our country, and we hope we’ve provided a good balance between local and national and current and historical with this section,” said Breeze Newspapers Publisher Ray Eckenrode.
The America 250 special section also includes stories on Cape Coral being a Purple Heart City, local Independence Day celebrations around Southwest Florida, photo contest winners, and more.
“The community really came together on this,” said Valarie Harring, executive editor for the Breeze Newspapers. “Community contributions made it possible for us to put together a commemorative magazine that not only includes the numerous events around Southwest Florida that will mark this year’s semiquincentennial but some history, both local and state.”
As for local events, perhaps the biggest way to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary takes place here in Cape Coral, where an annual event provides national entertainment and boasts the largest fireworks display in all of Southwest Florida.
The city of Cape Coral’s Red, White & BOOM! is the largest single-day event in the region and is free for attendees.
Put on by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, the event takes place on Cape Coral Parkway at the foot of Cape Coral Bridge from 5 to 10 p.m., and is a rain-or-shine event.
The city also will be tying in something special for America 250 — a “Raise the Flag” event prior to Red, White & BOOM! and the evening festivities to follow.
“Raise the Flag” is a community-driven effort that built the tallest free-standing American flagpole in Florida. Standing 250 feet tall at Bernice Braden Park, this monumental flag will honor America’s 250th birthday, with city officials stating it is to serve as a powerful symbol of freedom, democracy, and unity.
The program agenda includes:
• 1:45-2:20 p.m. – Guest arrival and refreshments
• 2:25 p.m. – Opening remarks
• Sponsor recognition and tribute video
• Speaker remarks
• Presentation of Colors and National Anthem
• Closing remarks and retirement of Colors
• Approximately 3 p.m. – Formal program concludes
Cape Coral Restaurant Passports, one more Raise the Flag fundraiser which offers freebies and discounts at local venues through September, is available online but must be picked up at the South Cape Community Center or Cape Coral Art Center.
Red, White & BOOM! always features a national headliner, with this year’s entertainment seeing county artist Chris Lane at the top of the bill.
Lane will take to the stage at 8 p.m., followed by the LCEC fireworks display at 9:30. Additional entertainment comes via Rosada Project at 5 p.m. and DJ Sinister at 6:30.
Additional events in Cape Coral include:
• Fourth of July Bash at Slipway Food Truck Park & Marina: Takes place 4 to 11 p.m. on July 4. The celebration also marks the one-year anniversary of the waterfront destination. Located at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge at 1811 Cape Coral Parkway E., Slipaway’s limited-capacity event will offer guests an elevated experience featuring great food and refreshing drinks, shaded areas with fans and cooling misters, air-conditioned private restrooms and prime views of Cape Coral’s public Red, White & Boom festivities and fireworks display.
• Farmer Joe’s : Farmer Joe’s will put on its annual 4th of July Customer Appreciation Day celebration. This family-friendly event takes place on July 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Farmer Joe’s market, at 1401 SW Pine Island Road, Cape Coral
• Freedom 5K: Starting at 7 a.m., The Chamber of Commerce of Cape Coral presents The Priority Business Solutions Freedom 5K & Scooter’s Lawn Care Kid’s Fun Run. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Brotherhood of Heroes Resource Center and Museum and the Special Operations Communicators Association.
The Cape Coral Bridge and surrounding roads will be closed starting at 3 a.m. on Saturday, July 4, through 3 a.m. on Sunday, July 5, for the Freedom 5K race and Red, White & BOOM! events.
More details on all of these events and more may be found inside today’s Breeze in the America 250 special section.
“We thank all those who contributed, including Robert Greco, Wendy and Chris Schroder, Ann Finkernagle Duffala, local historian Shawn Wyble and everyone who contributed patriotic pix to our photo contest,” Harring said. “We also thank all of the veterans who took part in Voices of Valor as well as Steve Romaine, who helped coordinate the photo shoots, and photographers Mark Clifford and Casey Bradley Gent. The outpouring of support from these individuals and so many more is greatly appreciated.”
The Breeze offers a special thank you and gratitude to the Community Sponsors of the America 250 multi-week program — Purified Air, Next Level Paving, Joshua Tree, Zak’s Jewelry, BluWave Contractors, Dunkin’s Diamonds, Comfort Keepers and Maid Brigade of Lee County.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com