Lots to do on the 4th

If a backyard barbecue isn’t in your 4th of July plans this year, there are dozens of other events around the Panhandle to celebrate Independence Day.

Just around the corner

• City of Chattahoochee Gigantic July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza, at River Landing Park. There will be gospel singing by various groups, food and beverage vendors, and fireworks. Celebrations start at 4 p.m., fireworks at dark. Directions: Coming from Jackson County, cross the bridge into Chattahoochee, take a right at Hardees and follow River Landing Road to park.
• Third annual July 4th Celebration and Fireworks Display, hosted by Cypress Creek Community Church and the Orange Hill Volunteer Fire Department, will begin at 4 p.m., at the fire department, 1927 Orange Hill Road in Chipley. Activities include free buggy rides and children’s activities. Hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy, other treats and drinks will be available. Live music will be provided by Quad C. The 325th Fighter Wing from Tyndall Air Force Base will make a fly-over with at 5:30 p.m. Fireworks at “dark-thirty.”

Along the Panhandle

• Celebrate America, in Tallahassee, takes place at Tom Brown Park, beginning at 5:30pm. The event features live music and performing arts from three stages, a large variety food vendors and the annual Naturalization Ceremony, welcoming new citizens to our nation. Fireworks show at 9:45 p.m.
• Pier Park’s 4th of July Star Spangled Celebration includes live concerts (Mark Chestnutt, The Pistols), fireworks from the pier, family activities and competitions, a costumed pet parade, golf cart décor and sidewalk art, from noon to 9 p.m.
• The 11th Annual Independence on the Coast Celebration includes children’s activities, live entertainment, a parade, a petting zoo, food and fireworks. The event takes place at Frank Pate Park on St. Joseph’s Bay. After dark, a boat parade precedes fireworks that can be seen from Frank Pate or Jetty Park by the Port St. Joe Marina, and almost anywhere along the bay. The Firecracker Walk/Run beings at 8 a.m. at the Port Inn.
• The Sopchoppy Fireworks display, a day-long celebration that features a parade, canoe race, food and entertainment. Call 850-962-4611 for more details.
• Mexico Beach boasts a full day of activities for the 4th, including a 5k walk/run, children’s fishing tournament and fireworks display on the beach. Call 888-723-2546 for more information.
• Pensacola Beach holds fireworks at dusk over the Santa Rosa Sound behind The Boardwalk. For more information call 850- 932-1500.
• Pensacola holds its own display at Seville Square, over the Pensacola Bay, around 9 p.m. Park at and around Seville Square. Call 850-262-6060 for more details.
• In Crestview, fireworks take place at dusk at Spanish Trail Park. Call 850-682-4715 for more information.
• Destin fireworks will boom over the Destin East Pass around 9 p.m. Free parking will be at Emerald Grande, with limited parking by Stahlman Avenue. Call 850-837-4242.
• Sandestin fireworks take place at the Village of Baytown Warf, over over Choctawhatchee Bay. Water shuttle costs $1.
• Fireworks at DeFuniak Springs take place at Lake DeFuniak.