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Where to find Tampa Bay fireworks on July 4, and where to park

 
Fireworks explode over the Central Yacht Basin off South Straub Park in St. Petersburg in 2017 during the city's Independence Day celebration.  DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD   |   Times
Fireworks explode over the Central Yacht Basin off South Straub Park in St. Petersburg in 2017 during the city's Independence Day celebration. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times
Published July 4, 2018

Here's where to see fireworks across the Tampa Bay area tonight, with parking suggestions.

Pinellas

Downtown St. Petersburg: Weather conditions may bump the start time up to as early as 8 p.m. or delay the start time until 10 p.m. 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. Where to park: The Sundial parking garage, 117 Second St. N, and the SouthCore parking garage, 101 First Ave. S, both offer hourly parking and easy in and out access away from event congestion. Limited free parking is available in public parking lots near North Shore Pool, 901 North Shore Drive NE.

Clearwater Celebrates America: Coachman Park, 301 Drew St., Clearwater. 4-9:30 p.m. Where to park: Free parking is available in the Garden Garage between Cleveland and Drew streets and in a lot behind City Hall, 112 S Osceola Ave. Starting at 4 p.m., the North Beach Parking Plaza, 490 Poinsettia Ave., will charge a $20 flat rate and open the gates at the end of the evening for free traffic flow out of the garage.

Gulfport: The free Gulfport Trolley will run from remote parking lots until 10 p.m. along Beach Boulevard, Gulfport. 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Where to park: Free remote parking is available at Holy Name Church, 5800 15th Ave. S; Tomlinson Park, 19th Avenue and 55th Street; Hoyt Field, 2306 56th St. S; Gulfport Senior Center, 5501 27th Ave. S; Chase Park, 54th Street S and 28th Avenue S; Gulfport Municipal Marina, 4630 29th Ave. S; Gulfport Public Library, 5501 28th Ave. S; Ted Phillips Wood Ibis Park, 58th Street S and 28th Avenue S; and Michael J. Yakes Recreation Complex, 5730 Shore Blvd. S. The Gulfport Trolley is available for free transportation from the time the parade ends until 10 p.m.

Largo Central Park Celebration: Free, $10 activity wristband. 101 Central Park Drive, Largo. 6-9:30 p.m. Where to park: A limited number of spaces are available in Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive, for $10. Free remote "park and walk" is also available at Largo High School, 410 Missouri Ave. N, and Largo Middle School, 155 Eighth Ave. SE. Shuttle service is not available.

Madeira Beach: Best viewing near the recreation center, 200 Rex Place, Madeira Beach. 9 p.m. Where to park: Free parking is available at the Madeira Beach Recreation Center, 200 Rex Place, with overflow available at the Winn-Dixie across the street from City Hall, 300 Municipal Drive. Metered parking is also available at the Archibald Beach parking lot, 15100 Gulf Blvd.

St. Pete Beach: Launched from Upham Beach, Gulf Boulevard and 68th Street, St. Pete Beach. 9 p.m. Where to park: City officials say meters and parking lots along Gulf Boulevard and Blind Pass will be available. Standard fees apply.

Safety Harbor City Marina: 110 Veterans Memorial Lane, Safety Harbor. 5-9 p.m. Where to park: Plenty of free parking is available at the Safety Harbor Community Center, 650 Ninth Ave. S, Safety Harbor City Park, 940 Seventh St. S, and public lots adjacent to City Hall, 750 Main St.

Tarpon Springs: Best viewing at Fred Howard Park, 1700 Sunset Drive, Tarpon Springs. 7:30-9 p.m. Where to park: Free parking is available at Howard Park Beach after 6 p.m.

Treasure Island: Free, $15 parking. Treasure Island Beach Trail Park, 10400 Gulf Blvd. 9 p.m. Where to park: A limited number of meter spaces are available at Gulf Front Park, 10400 Gulf Blvd. When those are gone, spaces will be available for $15 in Treasure Island Park, 104th Avenue and Park Place.

Hillsborough

Downtown Tampa: Fireworks set off from the Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., with good viewing areas all along the Riverwalk. 9-10 p.m. Where to park: Nothing gets you closer than the Tampa Convention Center garage, 333 S. Franklin Street, which opens at 6 p.m. and is a flat $5 to park. The Fort Brooke garage, 107 N Franklin St., (entrance off of E. Whiting St.) opens at 6 p.m. for $1.60 an hour, and the South Regional Garage, 301 Channelside Drive, also opens at 6 p.m. for a flat $5 rate. If those fill up, consider parking in the Centro Ybor Garage and jumping on the streetcar for a free ride to downtown Tampa. Standard rates for city parking garages apply. For a map of road closures, visit tampagov.net/roadclosures.

Plant City Celebration: Free, $5 parking. Plant City Stadium & Randy Larson Softball Four-Plex, 1810 E Park Road, Plant City. 6-9:15 p.m. Where to park: The only available parking is at Plant City Stadium for $5.

Temple Terrace: Temple Terrace Family Recreation Complex, 6610 E Whiteway Drive. 6-9 p.m. Where To Park: Limited street parking is available east of the Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club and along residential roadways north and south of the viewing area, unless otherwise posted. Parking is also available at the Temple Terrace Public Library and the redevelopment plaza area (southeast corner of 56th Street and Bullard Parkway).

North Suncoast

Avalon Park West Community Center: 5227 Autumn Ridge Drive, Wesley Chapel. 5-9 p.m. Where to park: Meet security at the gate for an escort to public parking on River Glen Boulevard.

Sparklebration Star-Spangled Spectacular: $6, 12 and younger free. Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52, Dade City. 4-10 p.m. Wednesday. Where to park: Parking is available at the fairgrounds for $5.

Fire Cracker Smash'em Up: $10, $5 ages 4-12, 3 and younger free (demolition derby). Hernando County Fairgrounds, 6436 Broad St., Brooksville. Where to park: Parking is available at the fairgrounds for $5.

Compiled by Times Staff Writer Kelly A. Stefani