Thousands turn out for Red, White & BOOM!
Two days before Independence Day, Cape Coral was inundated with heavy thunderstorms.
On the Fourth, though, the area at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge dawned to sunshine and ended in a thunderous rain of fireworks as the city of Cape Coral’s largest event, Red, White & BOOM! drew thousands to the South Cape.
Billed by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department as Southwest Florida’s largest single-day event, attendees and vendors alike began arriving by 4 p.m., wearing red, white and blue outfits, sparkling hats, patriotic paint and even the American flag.
Alissa Kelleman and her family were among them.
“There are always lots of families and lots of kids, ” said Kelleman of her family’s second BOOM! “This will be a yearly tradition for us.”
Kelleman was accompanied by her husband, daughters and in-laws.
Like hundreds of other families, the Kellemans came equipped with chairs and a cooler to enjoy live music – kicked off by DJ RIFIK — as they waited for dark. Kelleman said she knew the fireworks display would be worth the wait.
And worth it they were, according to other attendees.
“I hadn’t attended Fourth of July events in Cape Coral for a quite a while,” said Jill Jacobs, one of the volunteers manning the beer tent. “But I have to say, the event was well run and very well organized. No one was running around like a chicken with their head cut-off.”
Jacobs, a volunteer for PRIDE Cape Coral, donated five hours of volunteer time on behalf of the organization.
She said she will definitely volunteer again next summer.
Red, White & BOOM!’s bright fireworks illuminated the night sky beginning right at 9:30 p.m. with accompanying music provided from the stage and by Cat Country 107.1.
“When the fireworks started, they were just right there. Right in front of me. The show was magnificent,” Jacobs said.
The sound of canons reverberated across the landmark bridge, sprinkling color over the dark skies.
Thousands gathered on each side of the empty bridge for a stunning show with the ticked VIP tent catered by Mission BBQ and Budweiser offering not only food but seating near water’s edge called “The Boom Zone.”
Despite the rainy lead-in, the city was happy the event went off as scheduled.
“We were extremely grateful that the weather cooperated for this year’s Red, White & BOOM!,” said city spokesperson Melissa Mickey Monday morning. “Our Special Events team closely monitors the forecast leading up to the event, but there’s nothing like seeing the community come together under clear skies. It made for a safe and memorable night for everyone.”