BOOM! is back and Cape Coral organizers are promising the biggest, best one yet.

Ten months after Hurricane Ian upended life as we in Southwest Florida knew it, social normalcy is returning and the organization of events to be held right on schedule, despite, literally, hell and high water, is a big part of that.

Cape Coral’s annual Independence Day street party, Red, White & BOOM! — the largest Fourth of July bash in Southwest Florida — is set for Tuesday.

Featuring continuous live entertainment, numerous food and drink vendors and the biggest, the best, fireworks display in Southwest Florida, the festival draws an estimated 40,000 people every year.

The festivities will begin at 5 p.m. and go until 10:30 on Cape Coral Parkway at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge.

Live music will be performed throughout the evening, headlined this year by national country music star Dylan Scott.

Scott, a multi-Platinum singer with two No. 1 singles — “My Girl” and “Nobody,” as well as the Top 5 hit “Hooked” — will take the stage at 8 p.m.

As always, general admission is free. (Paid “Boom Passes” for priority seating are sold out.)

The American Fireworks Spectacular, “powered by LCEC,” is set for 9:30 p.m.

Looking to kickstart the holiday?

The Freedom 5K Run/Walk over the Cape Coral Bridge is the traditional Cape prelude to Red, White & BOOM!

Registration begins at 6 a.m. and the run begins at 7 a.m. on July 4 at the Chamber of Commerce building at 2051 Cape Coral Parkway East. Pre-registration, at $40 for adults, $30 for youths 17 and under and $20 for military, will save you a few bucks — day-of registration is $45 for adults and $35 for youths. Priority Business Solutions is the title sponsor.

There’s also a Kids Fun Run following the 5K. Fun Run registration is $10 with a post-race party following the event. Proceeds will benefit The Brotherhood of Heroes Resource Center and Museum and the Special Operations Communications Association. The Gunterberg Charitable Foundation is the sponsor.

Looking for more? There are other celebrations in the Cape as well as events throughout Lee County. We invite you to check out the listings on page 13 of today’s Breeze.

Community events such as these are made possible by the city, numerous businesses and hundreds of volunteers.

Red, White & BOOM! is organized by the Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department, which faced a herculean challenge in the wake of Hurricane Ian.

Thank you.

The business community helps make the event possible as well and, despite Ian and the impact it had on homes and businesses, many stepped up again with a dozen-and-half listed among this year’s sponsors.

Thank you.

And let us not forget all the volunteers.

Thank you, thank you!

It is events like BOOM! that make the Cape a wonderful place to live — and visit.

Have a very happy and safe hometown Fourth.

— Breeze editorial