Watch 4th of July Fireworks Aboard Your Boat
Safety first! As you’ll obviously be enjoying these displays after the sun goes down, make sure you are comfortable operating your vessel at night. Before you leave the dock, make sure your lighting system is working properly. Keep an eye out for other boaters, as impaired boaters could ruin the evening for everyone. If possible, try to stay at least ¼ mile away and up-wind from where the fireworks are being discharged. This will be an experience your family will remember for a lifetime so be safe and enjoy the show!
Boston, Massachusetts
The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is an annual two-day celebration that begins on July 3rd. The fireworks will be on July 4th and you can expect to join hundreds of thousands of people. Personal boat are allowed so check out the guidelines on the website. There is a concert that begins at 8:30 pm and the fireworks start two hours later.
Here’s the website for more information: http://www.july4th.org/Celebrate_on_the_Esplanade/Boating_Information
Chicago, Illinois
See the Chicago night sky lit up by fireworks is an amazing site. Navy Pier puts on a fireworks display at approximately 9:30 p.m., which is completely choreographed to patriotic music. It’s an excellent opportunity to watch fireworks by boat. If you don’t own a boat, Navy Pier offers multiple cruises so you don’t have to miss out. Most of these cruises include dinner and additional entertainment.
Visit this website for more information and to reserve a spot on a cruise: https://navypier.com/events/2015-07/
Jacksonville, Florida
Starting at 5 p.m. on the 4th of July, you can enjoy music and food festivities in Jacksonville, Fla., near the Downtown Riverfront. Dock your boat on the Northbank or the Southbank during the day and then hop on in time for the 9:45 firework show, which is a spectacular display over the St. Johns River.
Slips are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and there are areas of the river where anchoring is not allowed so make sure you have a plan before you leave the dock.
For more information, contact the City Dockmaster’s office: (904) 630-0839.
Los Angeles, California
In Los Angles, fireworks are launched from a floating barge over Marina del Rey in the main channel between Fisherman’s Village and the Breakwater (the ocean entrance to the harbor). This annual display starts at 9 p.m. and lasts approximately 20 minutes. Hornblower Cruises & Events offers evening cruises for a front row seat to the firework spectacular. Festivities last all day with other events such as the Westchester's 4th of July Holiday Parade and Venice Beach's wildly popular Mr. & Mrs. Muscle Beach competition.
Visit this website for more information: http://www.visitmarinadelrey.com/events/4th-of-july
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Set on the shores of Lake Michigan at Henry Maier Festival Park is the Summerfest Music Festival, which is amazing to say the least. This 11-day party runs over the 4th of July, when the Big Bang Fireworks start at dusk. This is by far the biggest and most popular fireworks display in Wisconsin. There are family-fun activities planned for the entire day.
Check out this site for more info: www.summerfest.com
New Orleans, Louisiana
Go Fourth on the River in New Orleans puts a fun twist on the traditional firework show. The fireworks spectacular begins aboard dueling barges, anchored at mid-river at 9:00 p.m. Each barge tries to duplicate and out do the other. The colorful, sonic-booming aerial display usually lasts 15-20 minutes and is best seen from the river. You can book space on one of two old-fashioned paddleboats that take people out on the Mississippi River to enjoy the show.
More information is available here:
http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/seasonal/fourthofjuly.html
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Why celebrating Independence Day in the actual birthplace of America? The Philly 4th of July Jam ofers a free concert featuring The Roots! Their performance on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is followed by a spectacular fireworks display over the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which can be viewed from the water.
Visit this site to learn more: http://www.visitphilly.com/events/philadelphia/wawa-welcome-america-fireworks/
Sarasota, Florida
The Fireworks Spectacular over Sarasota Bay is a perfect event to watch by boat.
This event is free from anywhere downtown. This is a perfect event to watch by boat. The fireworks show, which starts at dusk, benefits the Suncoast Charities for Children. Get there early to ensure a good spot to anchor.
Visit this website for more information: http://www.egovlink.com/sarasota/events/calendarevents.asp?date=7-4-2014
Tacoma, Washington
The Freedom Fair is day-long event, running along the Ruston Way Waterfront. This fair features all the usual 4th of July activities including: airshows, great food, vendors, exhibits and rides. The firework show starts at dusk over Puget Sound. The entire event is free but a donation is suggested to keep it going.
There is a list of suggestions for boaters on this website: http://www.freedomfair.com/boaters-info.php
Article written by Katie Burke