There's a certain kind of magic to spending the 4th of July on this stretch of coastline. Maybe it's the way the whole community turns out for it, golf carts decorated in red, white and blue, kids running around with sparklers, boats lined up on the water waiting for the fireworks to start. Whatever it is, once you've celebrated Independence Day down here, it's hard to imagine doing it anywhere else.

If you're new to the area, or you're a longtime visitor trying to figure out where to be and when, here's everything going on across Port St Joe, Mexico Beach, Cape San Blas and WindMark this weekend.

Friday, July 3

The celebration kicks off early. Head to Reid Ave for the First Friday Sip n Shop starting at 5pm. If you're looking for live music, TapRoot, Haughty Heron and Scallop RePUBlic all have bands playing Friday night, so you've got options no matter where you land. Florida State Parks also kicks off free admission this weekend, so it's a good time to get out to TH Stone Memorial St Joseph's Peninsula State Park or Constitution Convention Museum State Park if you haven't been.

Saturday, July 4th, Daytime in Port St Joe

Saturday starts early downtown. Bluewater's tent sale runs from 8am to 2pm, cash only, right outside their storefront. The Salt Air Farmers Market sets up from 9am to 1pm if you want to grab something fresh before the day heats up. Families will want to check out the Freedom Fest Fun Zone at The Port Inn, bounce houses and water slides for a $10 wristband, running 11am to 5pm. And if boats are more your thing, Boats on the Bay takes over George Core Park from 2 to 9pm with live music and a great vantage point for the evening's fireworks.

Saturday Evening in Port St Joe & St Joe Beach

As the sun starts to dip, the energy shifts toward downtown. There are actually two golf cart parades this year, so pick your favorite. The Water Gun Parade lines up at Veterans Memorial Park at 5pm in St Joe Beach, water guns encouraged. The Freedom Fest Parade lines up at 6pm and rolls through downtown starting at 7, ending at TapRoot, where the after party runs from 8pm with live music and food specials until the fireworks start. Speaking of which, the Port St Joe fireworks show kicks off at 10pm Eastern, and you can watch from pretty much anywhere downtown or from George Core Park.

Mexico Beach

Mexico Beach has its own celebration going on. Beach Bear Coastal is open from noon to 6pm with live music from 3 to 6pm. The Best Blast on the Beach fireworks show lights up the sky at 8:30pm Central, launched near the intersection of Highway 386 and 98. Here's a little insider tip, once the official show wraps, plenty of folks keep the party going with their own fireworks right on the beach for hours afterward, so if you're out there, don't pack up too early.

Cape San Blas 

Down on Cape San Blas, Scallop RePUBlic has Smolderin' Embers playing from 7 to 10pm, with bay views and their signature Firecracker Margarita to match the holiday.

WindMark

Over in WindMark, the neighborhood's annual Golf Cart Parade kicks off with registration at 8:45am and rolls out at 10am, a sweet, small town moment if you want to start your 4th on a quieter note before the bigger crowds arrive elsewhere. Grab a mimosa at The Mill Mercantile & Social, then join them for live music that evening at 7pm.

A Few Notes Before You Head Out

Events like these tend to shift a little year to year, so it's always worth double checking times and locations before you make your plans. And a friendly reminder,r if you're headed to Mexico Beach, there are some temporary road and beach closures around the fireworks launch site, so give yourself extra time getting around.

However you spend it, I hope this weekend feels like exactly what you came to the coast for. Slow mornings, good company, and a sky full of fireworks over the water. Happy 4th, y'all.

 

Linda Surles, Realtor, Selling the Coast Real Estate