Family, freedom and fireworks. That’s what I think of when the 4th of July comes around. It’s hard to believe that we are already “4th of July” into the summer. Just another example of how quickly life moves, but on the 4th we all share the same sparkle in our eyes! No matter how you celebrate Independence Day, it’s a day where American comes together to celebrate the home of the free, because of the brave!
Before the festivities at night begin, wouldn’t you like to spend the day with family and friends enjoying what Panama City Beach has to offer? There are so many activities that it might be hard to choose from all of them, but we’ve highlighted a few for you to help make your decision easier.
Daytime Delights
Looking for some family fun to escape the heat? Dave & Busters in Pier Park has you covered! They offer arcade games, tabletop, air hockey, ping pong, billiards and more! Whatever you can dream, you can play at D&B!
WonderWorks is an amusement park for the mind with 29,000 square feet of “edu-tainment”. The upside-down building combines education and entertainment with more than 100 hands on exhibits that challenge the mind and spark the imagination. With so much to do at WonderWorks PCB, you will want to plan a full day to see everything – and if you don’t see it all, come back again for another visit!
Shipwreck Island is a family fun waterpark with activities for all ages! With waterslides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and so much more there is plenty of fun to go around. You could spend an entire day at the waterpark and still not be ready to leave! For hours, pricing, and tickets visit their website!
Premium Beach Condos guests receive special promotions with Xplorie activities such as this with every stay of less than 14 days. Be sure to check out ALL of the activities offered to our guests on our website: PremiumBeachCondos.com
Let The Nightime Magic Begin
If you’re hoping to see some fireworks displays during your trip to Panama City Beach, you’re in for a real treat. There are plenty of opportunities, FOUR nights in a row, and you can even watch them right on the beach. Or for the best seats in the house, if you’re staying with us at Calypso Towers Resort, you can watch them right from the balcony of your very own condo. Here are a few of our favorite ways to take in the spectacular fireworks in Panama City Beach.
Freedom Rocks! Fireworks Show – Fireworks show starts at 8:45 p.m. on July 3rd and is presented by Grand Lagoon Coalition. Grab a spot and watch the skies above the Grand Lagoon Bridge or bring you chair or blanket and sit on the grassy lawn at Treasure Island Marina. There’s also shops and dining if you want to arrive early.
Star Spangled Spectacular – Fireworks show starts at 9:00 p.m. on July 4th. Panama City Beach celebrates the 4th of July with the largest fireworks display on the Gulf Coast as fireworks are fired from the Russell-Fields City Pier and the M.B. Miller County Pier. These will be the BEST seats in the house if you’re staying at Calypso Beach Resort, right from the comfort of your balcony! Here’s a preview of what you have to look forward to!
Light Up The Gulf Fireworks Show – Fireworks show starts at 8:30 p.m. on July 5th and is presented by Boardwalk Beach and Hotel located at 9600 S. Thomas Dr.Panama City Beach. Join them as they light up the gulf with the beach’s largest private fireworks show. They’ll have FREE live entertainment, contests and kids activities.
Light Up The Bay Fireworks – Fireworks start at dark on July 6th at 4601 West, US-98, Panama City, FL. Bring a lawn chair and join them for food trucks, live music and fireworks over the bay.
To experience a live choreographed music simulcast during the Freedom Rocks! and Star Spangled Spectacular firework shows, viewers can tune into Island 106 FM and Wild Willie 100.1 FM.
For more details regarding Panama City Beach’s Real. Fun. Fourth. Celebrations be sure to visit: https://www.visitpanamacitybeach.com/articles/post/real-fun-fourth-2024/.
“I always have the most fun on the Fourth of July. You don’t have to exchange any gifts. You just go to the beach and watch fireworks.” — James Lafferty
Recommended Safety Tips
While we highly recommend leaving it to the pros for your fireworks enjoyment, if you choose to have your own fireworks display, it’s important to know what the Florida statutes are regarding personal fireworks use:
Panama City Beach adheres to Florida fireworks laws found in Chapter 791 of the Florida Statutes.
According to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, anyone using fireworks must have a permit from their local government or for certain agricultural purposes be exempted by law. It is illegal in Florida to use fireworks, which include: shells and mortars, multiple tube devices, Roman candles, rockets and firecrackers, when such use is not in strict compliance with Chapter 791.012, Florida Statutes. Floridians should not sign “waivers” in order to purchase fireworks. Signing a waiver will not clear you of responsibility should you be caught illegally using fireworks, which is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
However, the Fourth of July is one of three dates when Floridians are permitted to set off explosives, under a carve-out the Legislature passed in 2020…..and only certain types of fireworks are allowed. NOTE: The carve-out doesn’t supersede HOA rules or any local government ordinances that predated it. With that in mind, please remember that using fireworks on balconies or on ANY Resort property is prohibited and may result in immediate eviction.
Whatever your plans are for the holiday remember, SAFETY FIRST, especially if you plan to have your own fireworks display!
- Never give fireworks to small children, and never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials. Always follow the instructions on the packaging.
- Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
- Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
- Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”
- Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
And, speaking of pets, let’s not forget about ours!
- Don’t bring your pets to a fireworks display, even a small one.
- If fireworks are being used near your home, put your pet in a safe, interior room to avoid exposure to the sound.
- Make sure your pet has an ID tag, in the event it were to run off during fireworks.
- Never shoot fireworks of any kind near pets.
