When you think 4th of July, you think fireworks and sometimes your neighbors might think that includes the entire week before..and after. So when can you legally shoot off fireworks in Florida?
Governor Ron DeSantis signed the most recent fireworks rules into law back in 2020 and there are only 3 days that you can legally shoot off fireworks in Florida: 4th of July, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
The law defines a firework as "any combustible or explosive composition or substance or combination of substances or, except as hereinafter provided, any article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration, or detonation.”
So basically anything that uses explosives and launches into the sky using something lit on fire, specifically firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, roman candles, dago bombs. WFLA reports that things like sparklers, pop-its, snaps, snakes, smoke bombs, party poppers, toy pistols, toy guns, toy canes, and paper caps are legal as long as "25 hundredths grains or less of explosive compounds are used".
Pics From Busch Gardens' Summer Celebration Fireworks Spectacular:
Southwest Florida has a LOT of different Fourth Of July events going on this year, and since the fourth falls on a Monday, it really opened up the holiday to be celebrated all weekend long. Actually, as you'll see, one event didn't even wait for the weekend. We're gonna get started on Thursday. I did my best to do the research to list all of the events going on here in SWFL, but please reach out if I missed one. These are all outdoor events, so keep in mind that weather can change all the plans. Happy Fourth Of July Weekend everyone!
THURSDAY:
Collier Sheriff Hot Summer Nights - Golden Gate Community Center
SATURDAY:
Everglades City 4th of July Family Day Festival
Independence Day Backyard Picnic Street Fest (Downtown Fort Myers)
MONDAY:
Priority Business Solutions Freedom 5K - Cape Coral
Independence Day Parade - Bonita Springs
Bonita Springs Star Spangle Bonita
Sanibel Island 4th of July Parade
Fort Myers Beach 4th of July Parade
Naples 4th of July Parade
Naples 4th of July Celebration at Sugden Regional Park
City of Cape Coral Red, White & BOOM!
Freedom Fest: Downtown Fort Myers July 4th Celebration
Victory Church - Lehigh Acres
Sanibel Island 4th of July Fireworks
Marco Island Fireworks
Fort Myers Beach 4th of July Fireworks
Naples Fourth Of July Fireworks
The City of Naples Fireworks Display will be held on Monday, July 4th at 9:00 p.m. The
fireworks will be presented from a barge approximately 900 feet north of the Naples Pier.
The Naples Pier will be closed at 6:00 p.m. to permit first responders (Fire, Police, EMS)
to establish their posts for the fireworks display. The Naples Pier will reopen at 11 p.m.
Suggested Routes
Because heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic is expected before and immediately
following the fireworks, attendees traveling from U.S. 41 North or Golden Gate Parkway
may find it easier to watch the fireworks from the beaches north of 5th Avenue South and
depart the city on the following routes:
3
rd Ave. South to U.S. 41 North
Central Avenue to U.S. 41 North
4
th Ave. North to U.S. 41 North
7
th Ave. North to U.S. 41 North
Gulf Shore Blvd. North to Mooring Line Drive to U.S. 41 North
Gulf Shore Blvd. North to Mooring Line Drive to Crayton Road
Officers will direct traffic at most of the major intersections, with an emphasis on moving
traffic north onto U.S. 41, east to U.S. 41 and north onto Goodlette Road. Please do not
attempt to use alleys to bypass traffic as this will only increase congestion.
Inclement Weather Procedures
The Naples Fire Department will have the authority to alter the scheduled start time
of the fireworks display based on weather conditions, such as wind, rain or lightning.
The fireworks display will not be cancelled but may be delayed or commence at an
earlier time.
In the event of inclement weather, attendees will be notified utilizing news media,
public address systems, and VHF marine radio on Channel 16.
Road Closures/Extended Traffic Delays
Following the fireworks display:
Southbound traffic on U.S. 41 will be delayed for extended periods of time.
Westbound traffic on U.S. 41 (5th Avenue South/Gordon River Bridge) will be
delayed for extended periods of time.
Vehicles will not be permitted to travel eastbound on 5th Avenue South
between 3rd Street South and 9th Street South until normal traffic flow
resumes.
This is done to permit traffic to exit as quickly as possible and relieve
congestion throughout the City of Naples.
Parking – General Information
Everyone is encouraged to use public parking in the downtown areas and to respect
the property of others by not blocking driveways or parking on private property
without the owner’s consent. The city parking garages located at 4th Avenue
South/8th Street South entrance off 4th Ave. S.) and 6th Avenue South/8th Street
South are located only a short walk from the beach. Public parking will also be
available at Lowdermilk Park and the beach ends between 20th Avenue South and
8
th Avenue North.
The Naples Police Department reminds everyone that strict parking enforcement will
occur in marked “No Parking” areas, with attention given to Gulf Shore Blvd.,
intersections, bike lanes, and areas adjacent to fire hydrants. There will be no
parking allowed on either side of Gulf Shore Boulevard between 20th Avenue
South and 8th Avenue North / South Golf Drive. Violators will be cited and
towed.
Beach Parking Rules
Parking time limits will be enforced on July 4th. All parking areas have signs to assist
visitors in understanding the parking rules.
The rules are:
All unmetered parking spaces require a beach parking permit.
All metered parking spaces require payment or beach parking permit.
No littering.
No glass, animals, or fires allowed on the beach.
No parking of trailers, trucks, recreational vehicles or buses within one block
of the beach.
Violators will be towed.
Resident Parking Only
There are twenty-four (24) beach ends reserved for City of Naples and Collier
County beach parking permit holders only. Non-resident parking is prohibited at
these locations:
7th Avenue North *
North Lake Drive
6th Avenue North *
4th Avenue North
3rd Avenue North
2nd Avenue North *
1st Avenue North
Central Avenue
1st Avenue South
2nd Avenue South *
3rd Avenue South *
4th Avenue South HR
6th Avenue South
7th Avenue South *
9th Avenue South
10th Avenue South *
11th Avenue South
Broad Avenue South
15th Avenue South *
16th Avenue South
17th Avenue South
18th Avenue South *
32nd Avenue South
33rd Avenue South *
* Beach Shower Location
HR – Handicap Ramp
Pay Stations /Pay-by-Space
Several parking areas have multi-space parking meters, including Lowdermilk Park
and the Naples Pier.
These machines, conveniently located near the entrance to the parking area, accept
coins and Master Card and Visa. The cost is 25 cents for each 5 minutes of parking
or
$3.00 per hour. A minimum payment of $1.50 is required. Each parking space is
designated with a number that must be entered into the pay station.
The pay stations at the Naples Pier also offer Extend-by-Phone Service. The Extendby- Phone service allows visitors to receive parking expiry reminders and extend
time for pay station-initiated transactions via text messaging (SMS).
The Extend-by-Phone Service does not require a user account. Extend-by-Phone is
compatible with virtually all mobile phones and delivers value for both visitors and
parking operators.
Visitor (Metered) Beach Parking Locations include:
Seagate Drive beach access
Horizon Way*
Vedado Way*
Via Miramar*
Lowdermilk Park*
8th Avenue North
5th Avenue South*
8th Avenue South *
Broad Avenue South – 100
Block
Broad Avenue South – 200
Block
Pier / 12th Avenue South* HR
13th Avenue South
13th Avenue South – 100 Block
14th Avenue South
* Beach Shower Location
HR – Handicap Ramp
Parking Ticket Fines
Parking tickets are $77. The parking ticket increases to $102 after 10 days unpaid.
Handicap parking violations are $252.
Handicapped Access
The City of Naples provides handicap beach access at the locations listed below.
Lowdermilk Park has beach wheelchairs available on a first come, first served basis.
17th Avenue South, 4th Avenue South, 6th Avenue North, 8th Avenue South,
Horizon Way, Lowdermilk Park, Naples Pier, Vedado Way, Via Miramar, City
Pier
Beach Parking With a Handicap Sticker
Any disability permit holder may park at any space without payment, in accordance
with Florida Statute 316.1964. The only requirement is that the permit holder is
driving or being transported. A disability permit does NOT allow parking in a bus
loading zone, fire zone, handicapped access aisles, any areas posted as no parking
zones, or parking in excess of the posted time limit. Also, no parking is allowed at
any metered beach parking space between 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The 4th Avenue South beach access will be specifically designated for handicapped
parking. An officer will monitor this location beginning at 4 p.m. to ensure only those
with handicap placards are permitted access. This road will also be on a first come,
first served basis.
Disabled Parking and Viewing of Fireworks
A portion of the Naples Pier will be open to disabled individuals who rely on
assistance for mobility (wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc.). These persons may be
accompanied by one individual for assistance.
Those seeking disabled parking spaces are encouraged to arrive early. Parking
spaces are not reserved and are only available on a first come, first served basis.
Mobility disabled attendees may be dropped off at the intersection of 12th Avenue
South and Gulf Shore Boulevard South while their driver, companion, etc. seeks
parking.
Restrooms/Port-o-Lets/Disabled Facilities
Full-service restrooms will be available at the Naples Pier and Lowdermilk Park.
Handicapped access Port-o-Lets will be available at 4th Avenue South and the
Naples Pier.
Port-o-Lets will be available at the following beach ends:
Central Avenue, 1st Avenue South, 3rd Avenue South, 5th Avenue South, 6th
Avenue South, 7th Avenue South, 9th Avenue South, 10th Avenue South, 11th
Avenue South, Broad Avenue South, 13th Avenue South, 14th Avenue South,
16th Avenue South, 17th Avenue South, and 18th Avenue South
Command Post
Members of the Naples Police Department and Naples Fire Department will be
stationed in the field, on the northeast side of the 5th Ave. South and 9th Street South
intersection. The Command Post will be parked at this intersection and will be
staffed by officers, detectives, and sergeants during the hours of 9 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Attendees seeking first aid, assistance in locating friends or family members, lost
children, etc. can find many first responders at the foot of the Naples Pier.
Prohibited Items/Conduct
Fireworks of any kind, including sparklers and sky lanterns are prohibited
on City beaches and anywhere west of Gulf Shore Blvd. Violators will have
their fireworks confiscated and face a fine of $115.
Don’t Litter! When you are preparing to leave the beach and gathering your
belongings, please do not leave your trash behind. There are several trash
disposal containers located at every beach access point.
Do not take glass onto the beach. Naples beaches do not permit glass
containers. The fine for this offense is $115.
No animals (service animals are exempt), bicycles, motorized vehicles, or
scooters are permitted on the city beaches.
Alcoholic beverages are allowed as long as it is not in a glass container. No
Glass on Beaches or Peir is Allowed.
Miscellaneous
The following are a few items to ensure your evening is fun and safe:
Do not keep valuables visible in your car.
Have a plan with your children in case your family becomes separated.
Use discretion when allowing your “beach neighbors” to watch your belongings
if you decide to take a walk or go for a swim.
Leave your fireworks and sky lanterns at home.