Breeze Editorial | No better celebration for July 4th holiday

There are few better ways to celebrate a holiday than with good food, cold beverages, great music and friends — in this case, lots and lots of them.
Add in the best fireworks show in Southwest Florida and its easy to see why Cape Coral’s annual Independence Day street party, Red, White & BOOM!, draws thousands to the bridge side of Cape Coral Parkway.
Featuring continuous live entertainment, a multitude of food and drink vendors and fireworks booming over the water, it is no wonder this hometown event attracts an estimated 40,000 attendees every year.
The festivities on July 4 will begin at 5 p.m. and continue until 10 p.m. on Cape Coral Parkway at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge.
Live music will be performed throughout the evening beginning at 5:15 p.m. with national headliner George Birge, a Nashville-based country songwriter, taking the stage at 8 p.m.
As always, general admission is free.
The American Fireworks Spectacular, set to synchronized music and kicked off this year with Mikalay Williams, a rising North Fort Myers High senior, singing the national anthem, is set for 9:30 p.m.
For those looking for shade and a little more relaxation, “Boom Passes” for priority seating are sold out however this year, there is a new nuance.
Slipway Food Truck Park & Marina at the foot of the bridge will host its inaugural Fourth of July Bash from 3 to 10 p.m. This VIP alternative offers food, drinks and live entertainment with a prime view of the city’s BOOM! entertainment and fireworks. General admission to the parallel party is $100 and includes two drink tickets and complementary food truck tasting selections from 5 to 8 p.m.
A portion of the proceeds will go to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation.
Looking to kickstart the holiday?
The Freedom 5K over the Cape Coral Bridge is the traditional Cape prelude to Red, White & BOOM!
Packet pickup and registration begins at 6 a.m.; the run begins at 7 a.m. on July 4 at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge.
There’s also a Kids Fun Run following the 5K with a post-race party following the event.
Proceeds from the Freedom 5K will benefit The Brotherhood of Heroes Resource Center and Museum and the Special Operations Communications Association.
Registration is open and is $40. Veterans can register for the race for $20. Fun Run registration is $15. The runs do include a small signup fee in addition to the registration.
Community events such as these are made possible by the city, numerous businesses and hundreds of volunteers.
Red, White & BOOM! is organized by the city of Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department.
The business community significantly aids the effort by contributing funds to the effort.
LCEC is the sponsor of the American Fireworks Spectacular.
The Freedom 5K is title-sponsored this year by Priority Business Solutions while Scooter’s Lawn Care will host the Kids Fun Run.
Numerous other businesses contribute as well.
As we do every year, we thank all of these businesses for their generous donations, as well as our city’s Parks & Rec and public safety departments for their efforts.
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