07.03.2023

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Today’s Forecast

🎇 TBAY, you’re a firework

Independence Day fireworks displays and ordinances in the Tampa Bay area

Where will you catch the fireworks? | Photo via Pexels

Get out your red, white, and blue, TBAY. America’s 247th birthday is tomorrow, and if you’re still hunting down plans, we got you.

Here are five ways to commemorate the Fourth around the Tampa Bay area + a handful of tips for celebrating safely at home.

Tampa fireworks

July 4th Boat Parade, Water Ski Show, and Blessing of the Fleet | Sparkman Wharf, 615 Channelside Dr., Tampa | 6-9 p.m. | Free+

Watch red, white, and blue decorated boats + water skiers drift through the Ybor Turning Basin. Register your boat online for $50.
Viewing spots: The best places to watch the action are Armature Works, the Tampa Convention Center, Curtis Hixon Park, Davis Islands, Harbour Island, Sparkman Wharf, and Water Works Park.

July 4th Fireworks Cruise with Private Water Taxi | Departing from Tampa Convention Center Dock | 8:30-9:30 p.m. | $54.95-$59.95

Don’t miss out on these on-the-water views of Downtown Tampa’s fireworks display.
Pro tip: Put on your most patriotic outfit to win prizes, and bring cash for the onboard bar.

Star Spangled Sparkman | Sparkman Wharf | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | Free

Experience a night of festive food, drinks, and photo opportunities while enjoying mesmerizing fireworks displays and DJ performances.

*It’s worth noting the three events above will share one giant city-wide fireworks display

Screen Shot 2023-06-30 at 3.01.44 PM.png — Dawn your best Independence Day fits, TBAY. Send them our way.
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Photo via City of Tampa

St. Pete-Clearwater fireworks

The Fourth | Spa Beach Park & Family Park on the St. Pete Pier | 4-10 p.m. | Free

Come early to enjoy an array of barbecue and drinks from the Craft Beer Garden, Uncle Sam’s Market, food trucks, and vendors.
Viewing spots: Set up your picnic blankets at Albert Whitted Park, North Straub Park, South Straub Park, or North Shore Park to catch the fireworks.

Independence Day Celebration at Clearwater Threshers | BayCare Ballpark, 601 N. Old Coachman Rd., Clearwater | 5:30 p.m.-12 a.m. | $8-$10

Watch one of our local MiLB teams take on the Palm Beach Cardinals — enjoy deals on Budweiser products + take in some post-game fireworks.
Pro tip: If you can’t make the game on the holiday, the team celebrates again on Saturday, July 8.

DIY fireworks displays

Events

Monday, July 3

“The Haunting of Hill House” with Tombolo’s Horror Book Club | Monday, July 3 | 7:30-8:30 p.m. | Virtual | $18 | Join the club by purchasing a copy, get the Zoom link, and discuss the unnerving terror that is Hill House.

Tuesday, July 4

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Tampa Bay Rays | Tuesday, July 4-Thursday, July 6 | Times vary | Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg | $42-$197 | Watch our league-leading boys take on the Fightin’ Phils.

Wednesday, July 5

After the 4th Clean Up | Wednesday, July 5 | 8-11 a.m. | Davis Islands Boat Ramp, 801-1399 Severn Ave., Tampa | Free | Join Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful to help pick up after the fireworks.
Bomb Shelter Comedy Show | Wednesday, July 5 | 8 p.m. | The Gimmick, 2213 E. 6th Ave., Tampa | $7.46 | Watch comics test out new jokes, get interrupted by a panel of other funny people, and take suggestions from the crowd — BYOB.

Thursday, July 6

$5 After 5 Thursdays | Thursday, July 6 | 5-8 p.m. | Imagine Museum, 1901 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | $5 | Get discounted tickets and gaze your eyes upon a collection of contemporary glass art from around the world.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Announced

Meet Kinjo. The new spot will join the family of Michelin-starred Koya and Channelside Drive’s Noble Rice by the end of the year. This foodie haven will offer Italian-Japanese cuisines like fresh pasta, crudo, and sashimi. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Award

Ybor City’s Zydeco Brew Works has been nominated in USA Today’s “Best Brew Pubs in America” competition. There are still 21 days to vote. Must try: Grab a Gold Club German Lager + pair it with some Nola-inspired French Quarter fries. (That’s So Tampa)

Transit

The City of Tampa just changed its ADA parking rules. If you have a hangable disabled permit or license, you can get free parking for up to four hours in any spot, no questions asked. Previously, you’d have to use the pay station or app to get free parking. (WFLA)

Sports

Play ball. Randy Arozarena and Yandy Diaz will represent the Tampa Bay Rays in the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 11. The day before, Arozarena will also compete in the Home Run Derby. (Fastball FN)

Closing

Thailand Restaurant (5252 S. Dale Mabry Hwy.) is shutting its doors after 45 years because the owners are retiring. The spot was one of the first to bring Thai food to TBAY. The mainstay will close at the end of the month. (That’s So Tampa)

Drink

Forbes included the “Misunderstood” cocktail from Cassis (170 Beach Dr. NE, St. Pete) in its roundup of “Perfect Cocktails To Enjoy For The Fourth Of July.” The drink mixes Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, Misunderstood Ginger Spiced Whiskey, and Japanese jelly marshmallows for the ultimate ode to summer. (Forbes)

Edu

Elevate your nursing career with Southeastern University’s Master of Science in Nursing degree. Bonus: The new program is completely online to give working nurses the flexibility and accessibility they need to further their education. Learn more + apply.*

Answered

🗻 Your picks for TBAY’s Mt. Rushmore

Answered: Who belongs on Tampa Bay’s Mt. Rushmore?

Here’s your Photoshopped render, as promised, TBAY. | Photo via TBAYtoday

We asked. And you answered... a lot.

In the spirit of all things patriotic, the results are in for who you think should be represented in TBAY’s Mt. Rushmore.

Tony Jannus

Eighteen percent of you voted for the early American pilot. He pioneered the first commercial airline flight in 1914.

The flight marked a major milestone in aviation history. And yes, Jannus Live is named after him.

H. Lee Moffitt

It was a tie for second place. The former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives was instrumental in improving cancer care and research, advocating for a cancer center in Tampa.

The Moffitt Cancer Center is one of only a handful of free-standing cancer centers in the country. It’s been ranked nationally by U.S. News & World Report since 1999.

Rod Wave

Sharing that second spot is St. Pete native Rod Wave. The artist is known for his unique blend of hip-hop and R&B.

Salvador Dalí

While he may not hail from TBAY, St. Pete’s Salvador Dalí Museum boasts the largest collection of the surrealist’s artwork and striking imagery on the planet. And as of 2019, his creative mind brought more than $160,000,000 in economic impact to the greater St. Petersburg-Clearwater area.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Brad

From the editor

Boom by the Bay was an absolute blast. No cheeky wordplay intended. Are you headed into town for fireworks or doing sparklers in your own space? Let us know.

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