07.04.2025

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87º | 60% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 6:38 a.m. | Sunset 8:29 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 10:25 a.m. | Low: 6:13 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 6:52 a.m. + 9:03 p.m. | Low: 2:40 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

It’s a party for the USA

Orange and yellow fireworks burst over the water before two high rises, near a green shore with trees. Colorful lights from the city are reflected in the water.

The lights on the river will get even brighter for one night only. | Photo via Visit Tampa Bay

The Fourth of July — i.e. the biggest birthday party in America for America — is here.

Here’s some of the boat parades and other Americana tomfoolery (like a water ski show and hot dog eating contest) going on today across Tampa Bay:

The Fourth: Celebrating 5 Years of ExPIERience | 4-10 p.m. | St. Pete Pier | Free entry | The fourth annual celebration featuring a craft beer garden, food trucks and vendors, live music by the 13th US Army Band, and fireworks illuminating the waterfront at 9 p.m.

Boom by the Bay | 4-10 p.m. | Multiple locations | Free | The Cigar City parties big, with The Heights District Fourth of July Celebration, Star Spangled Sparkman Wharf, and the Friends of the Tampa Riverwalk July 4th Boat Parade.

Independence Day Celebration presented by Seminole Hard Rock Tampa | 6:30 p.m. | George M. Steinbrenner Field | $8 | Head to the park early for free apple pie and autographs, watch the Tampa Tarpons + enjoy games, inflatables, face painting, and post-game fireworks.

2 more must-dos

Events

Friday, July 4

4th of July “Buy More, Save More” Sale | 8 a.m.-9 p.m. | Tampa Thrift | Price of purchase | Hunt for last-minute red, white, and blue pieces, homewares, and all kinds of finds at one of the stores three locations.

Saturday, July 5

After the 4th Cleanup | 8-10 a.m. | To be announced, Tampa | Free | Once those sparklers sizzle out, head to the beaches with Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful to help clear out the party’s remnants.

Yoga in the Garden | 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Kerby’s Nursery, Seffner | $20 | Stretch and sling into sequences surrounded by the summery nursery, then snack on some sourdough — plus, you get a coupon for Kerby’s Nursery and a plant.

The Classic Car Show | 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Midtown Tampa | Free entry | Make like grease lighting, and get over to the neighborhood for pre-1980s rides, music, and yard games.

Hannibal Buress | Saturday, July 5, Saturday, July 5, Sunday, July 6 | Times vary | Funny Bone Comedy Club | $42+ | He’s graced your screen on “Broad City” and “The Eric Andrew Show,” now watch the standup comedian take the Tampa stage.

Sunday, July 6

Happy holiday weekend

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News Notes

Community

We finally have a tentative reopening timeline for St. Petersburg’s Main Library: September. The 44,000-sqft library closed for renovations in 2021. The $17.1 million transformation includes a sculpture from Ben Butler, pieces by local artists, space for STEM programming, and a redesigned back patio. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Coming Soon

Rare Japanese spirits, Kōsen-esque faves, and non-alcoholic fermented drinks? Count us in. Tantō, a new 25-seat cocktail lounge from the team at Kōsen opens in Tampa Heights this summer. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Announced

The TSA PreCheck Enrollment Center at Tampa International recently closed. Don’t worry: You can still apply for the program at one of the enrollment centers located outside Staples and Office Depot stores. Find an enrollment center. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Show

Stop by The Independent this weekend to jam out to some ‘Local Legends.’ Katie Costello, Taylor Reed, and Rich Anello bring their musical stylings to the bar on Sunday, July 6 starting at 6:30 p.m. Best of all: There’s no cover. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Try This

Oh hey, Mozzarella Mike. The cheese man is hosting a pop-up cheese-making experience at the Burg’s CellarMasters. Mark your calendar for Monday, July 28 to watch some cheese stretching, then stuff yourself with caprese salad, cured meats, and bread. (I Love the Burg)

Sports

Recap the Rays’ performance lately ahead of the upcoming All-Star break. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Rays with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

The Buy

Coco & Eve’s award-winning hair mask. It’s formulated with clean ingredients like coconut, fig, and shea butter to provide instant frizz reduction and maximum shine.

More worth The Buy

Games

The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.

Let the games begin

The Wrap

Today’s edition by: Bailey

I plan on spending a large chunk of the holiday weekend reading — and making progress on Tombolo Books’ Summer Reading Challenge. Please send me must-reads for my quest.

I also want to try one of the recipes from Wishbone Kitchen’s new cookbook. Still unsure.

A hand holds a piece of paper reading "Tombolo Books Summer Reading Challenge" with a following list of kinds of books to read. — Let’s make manatee proud with our reading prowess.

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