Fourth of July Fireworks in Florida

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Holiday fireworks at Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom

Photo Credit: ©Disney

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Fireworks over Cinderella's Castle in Disney's Magic Kingdom

Photo Credit: contributed photo

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Every Independence Day, thousands of people attend A Gables Fourth to watch the fireworks display at the Biltmore Hotel.

Photo Credit: Daniel Portnoy, City of Coral Gables

Where to find plenty of sparkles and booms

Fourth of July Fireworks: Where to Find Plenty of Sparkles and Booms.

Happy Birthday America! What better way to celebrate than with a family picnic, ice cold watermelon and rockets red glare bursting in air? If you’re not sure where to catch a great fireworks display, here is a list of some of the best, biggest and old-fashioned celebrations around the state:

South

Key Largo

Just fireworks here, but they are fantastic, especially if you can view them by boat. This yearly display takes place above Blackwater Sound and if you don’t have a boat, you can still get a great view from Sundowners Restaurant, Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill (mile marker 104) and the Marriott's Key Largo Bay Beach Resort.

Miami

Bring the entire family to "America's Birthday Bash" at Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami. The party goes from 3 p.m. 'til 9 p.m. They’ll be a kids’ corner, live music, plenty of food and the fireworks over Biscayne Bay will make you ooohhh and aaahhh.

Happy Birthday America! What better way to celebrate than with a family picnic, ice cold watermelon and rockets red glare bursting in air?

Central

Mount Dora

If you seek an old fashioned, super family-friendly celebration, than head to Gilbert Park in Downtown Mount Dora. Kids will love the parade, Kid's Zone area, entertainment, food, games and fireworks! For more info call (352) 383-2165.

Saint Cloud

Join the day-long event that brings out all the locals for a family day of big fun. It all takes place beginning at 10 a.m. on Lakeshore Boulevard. You’ll find live entertainment, arts and craft displays and fireworks.

East Coast

Daytona Beach

Get ready for a block party like only Daytona Beach can provide. It’s eight blocks long and the theme for 2011 is "summer barbecue." The "Main Street July 4th Block Party and Barbecue" begins at 6:00 in the evening and lasts till midnight. Fireworks at 9:45 p.m.

Delray Beach

In Downtown Delray Beach, at the intersection of A1A and the Atlantic, you can have fun from morning till night. Enjoy the beautiful beach, live music, great food, a sand sculpting contest and fab fireworks.

Stuart

Spend a fun filled day in Downtown Stuart. The family fun and excitement starts at 4 p.m. – then at 9 p.m., you can watch the "BEST EVER" Fireworks Show on the St. Lucie River. I hear it’s amazing.

West Coast

St. Petersburg

Head out to The Pier for a full day of patriotic fun beginning at 11:30 a.m. You’ll find activities of all kinds, from music to great food and tons of patriotic fun.

Fort Myers Beach

Make your way over to the Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier & Times Square for their annual Fourth of July Celebration. Line up on Estero Boulevard about 10 a.m. for the annual parade. Then the shops, restaurants and merchants keep the fun going all day long. A few minutes after sunset, witness one of the most spectacular fireworks show in the area. Call (239) 454-7500 for more details.

Northeast  Florida

Amelia Island

Be celebrated at the Ritz-Carlton’s Beach Bash. Act fast, because reservations are required. Prices are $69 adults, $29 for children. Feast on an impressive barbecue buffet and enjoy live entertainment and fireworks, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Call (904) 277-1028 for reservations.

Jacksonville

"Go Fourth and Rock!" That’s the official name of the big celebration in Downtown Jacksonville. All the fun takes place on July 4. There will be impressive fireworks, free concerts and so much more.

St. Augustine

This is one of the largest fireworks shows on the eastern coast of Florida and it’s quite a sight! The big bursts of fireworks happen right above the famous fort, Castillo de San Marcos. And best of all, the reflections of the fireworks in Matanzas Bay are really beautiful. Come early to the 9:30 fireworks for best viewing spots along the bayfront.

North, Central

Madison

This 4th of July Celebration is always filled with patriotic passion. Gather around Lake Francis for a small town, down-home old fashioned event. Call (850)973-2788 for more info.

Northwest Florida

Fort Walton Beach

Celebrate the red, white and blue at Fort Walton Beach Landing. You’ll not only love the views, you’ll love the live entertainment and there’s plenty to keep the kids entertained too. Fireworks go up at 9 p.m.

Pensacola

The coast is clear! And hopefully the skies will be too. This is one of the largest displays in the area and it happens in Seville Square right over Pensacola Bay. Events take place all day long beginning at 11 a.m. and end with a grand fireworks display set to music at 9 p.m.

"Where’s your favorite place to watch fireworks?" This is the question that I asked each of my fellow Insiders. Here are their answers:

Tim McDonald, Golf

"Taking the boat on the St John's River with my wife and watching the Mayport fireworks celebration."

Jill Martin, Family

My favorite place to view fireworks is in my own backyard. That’s because we live close to the Homestead Sports Complex and they have a huge show. We can hear the booms and watch the magic while floating in the pool. Love that!

Hilda Mitrani, Off the Beaten Path

"My favorite? The Biltmore Hotel's Golf Course, in Coral Gables."

Kevin Mims, Outdoors & Nature

"The best fireworks I’ve even seen were down by the water at Disney's Fort Wilderness. You can see the fireworks really well from the Magic Kingdom, which is just across the water."

Lauren Tjaden, Beaches & Adventure

"Sanibel Island, Pensacola Beach and even driving through Lake County in my convertible with the top down. The one thing they all have in common is that I was with friends or family; the people are as important as the place."

Terry Tomalin, Fishing & Boating

"My favorite place to watch fireworks is Tampa Bay - by boat. The dock of the Pier in downtown St. Petersburg and downtown Tampa have great shows, too."

Kara Chalmers, Dining, Entertainment & Luxury

I love to go to the waterfront in Sarasota - Bayfront Park is one of the city's gems. It is a beautiful, lush, bayfront park with a great playground, a jogging trail and a great tiki bar and restaurant. The fireworks are over the park; although, the display is so huge you can see the fireworks from pretty far away.

Have a very happy, and safe, Fourth of July celebration with your family and friends.