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Area’s largest July 4th celebration set at the Cape

By Staff | Jul 3, 2009

There’s no shortage of entertainment on the Fourth of July in Cape Coral. Two events highlight our nation’s birthday, with fireworks, music, food, free stuff, and tons of fun.

The biggest event in the Cape, if not all of Southwest Florida, is Red, White & BOOM!.

Held at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge, BOOM! has become the defacto Fourth of July celebration, entertaining Cape residents for 20 years.

A slight change this year is a small admission fee of $1 per person, but organizers are hoping the fee won’t scare families away.

“The dollar more or less covers police and fire presence,” said fireworks captain Tim Hauck. “But there’s a lot of entertainment for buck.”

Starting at 4 p.m., BOOM! kicks into high gear with live music, food vendors, free ride for the kids, and of course, fireworks!

Hauck said to expect the same extravagant show in past years. Crews will begin working on Friday morning to set up the fireworks, which will run up to 25 minutes and feature “10-inch” shells.

Hauck just hopes people remember the true meaning of the Fourth while they watch the colorful explosions.

“I hope people remember the true meaning of the day, and think about why we do have our independence and remember those who are fighting,” Hauck said. “Sometimes we lose sight of it, but it’s the reason we have our freedom.”

The event is also hosted by the city of Cape Coral. This year’s title sponsor is Saturn.

Though not quite as old as BOOM!, the folks at Cape Harbour have been going about developing a newer tradition.

Held the morning of the Fourth before Red, White & BOOM!, Cape Harbour’s All American Picnic, now entering its third year, gives people the chance to kick off their holiday in style.

Featuring live music, food, tributes to soldiers, banana split eating contest, and a Patriotic Pet Eating Contest featuring WINK NEWS anchor Lois Thome.

The pet contest has become a favorite during the three-year run. Event Coordinator Glenda Swager said all kinds of pet are welcome, though they mostly receive dogs.

“They can bring any pet, though we most of the time people bring their dogs,” Swager said. “But we did have a rabbit one year.”

The event’s main focus, however, is for the troops fighting overseas. Swager said there will be plenty of opportunities to help out our troops, including donating money to help send shoe boxes filled with stuff troops are asking for.

Most importantly, people will be able to experience everything at both the All American Picnic and Red, White & BOOM!, to have a great holiday weekend.