July 4th Festivities Include Concerts, Watermelons & Plenty Of Fireworks
By AL.com and Press Register Staff, June 30, 2014
Fireworks might be the main attraction on the Gulf Coast on July 4, but don’t forget about barbecue and music.
Major events during the upcoming Independence Day weekend also include an appearance by country star Dierks Bentley, among other concerts; a watermelon festival and more. A few early-bird events let you start your weekend on Thursday, and Saturday also brings a few options.
A selection of highlights follows. As always, please feel free to mention other noteworthy events in the comments area below.
Thursday, July 3:
Country star Dierks Bentley plays at The Amphitheater at The Wharf in Orange Beach. The 7 p.m. show also will feature the Brothers Osborne. Ticket prices range from $21 to $51; tickets are available through Ticketmaster and at The Wharf’s box office. The Wharf also presents its free “Spectra” light and music show three times nightly, with three different programs: “A Night at the Movies” at 8 p.m., “Aqua Show” at 9 p.m. and a “Patriotic Show” at 10 p.m. Additional entertainment including Amora the Fire Enchantress and hula-hoop artists will be featured on Main Street.
The Grand Bay Watermelon Festival, presented by the Grand Bay Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge 73, opens from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday in Festival Park on U.S. 90. There is no admission charge on Thursday. Attractions include food booths, arts and crafts, family entertainment and a large children’s area. Visitwww.grandbaywatermelonfestival.org.
Friday, July 4:
The city of Mobile will hold its annual Independence Day celebration and fireworks display Friday at Battleship Memorial park. The park opens at 8 a.m., with normal admission prices applying. The parking fee is $2 per vehicle prior to 5 p.m. and $5 afterward. The Battleship, aircraft pavilion and U.S.S. Drum close at 6 p.m. The Mobile Pops Band, under the direction of David Dueitt, will perform “An Independence Celebration” at 7 p.m., followed by a large-scale fireworks display at 9 p.m. Concession and restroom facilities will be available. No grills or alcoholic beverages are allowed. Law enforcement officials will direct traffic entering and leaving the park, and no one will be allowed to stop on the Causeway or Bayway to view the show. The show will be launched from a barge located behind the battleship. No personal water craft will be allowed within 750 feet of the barge. For more information on the park, visitwww.ussalabama.com or call 251-433-2703.
Church of the Living God International will honor military service members and veterans at an annual military tribute ceremony in Mobile. As a part of the Church of the Living God International’s (CLGI) 20th general assembly, 29 service members will receive special honor and recognition for their faithfulness to the church and to the service of our nation. The ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. July 4 at the Arthur R. Outlaw Convention Center in Mobile. All active duty military members and veterans in Mobile and the surrounding areas are invited to attend. For more information, call Elder Ruth Latham, Colonel, USAFR (Ret.) at 334-221-4679 or go to the CLGI website.
Fairhope will welcome the Baldwin Pops Band for its traditional Fourth of July concert in Henry George Park, overlooking Fairhope Municipal Pier. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. and the Pops will play a variety of patriotic music, before and during the fireworks display. Prior to the Baldwin Pops, the Doc Rogers and Rock Dodgers will play at 6 p.m. The fireworks display, orchestrated by the city’s volunteer firefighters, will begin at about 9 p.m. The north end of municipal park will be open throughout the day and will remain open until no parking is available, according to a city news release. The south end of the beach front park and Knoll Park will be available to spectators. Handicap parking will be available near the fountain but will be limited. WABF 1220 AM will broadcast the Baldwin Pops concert live for those who are not able to make it down for the concert.
American Legion Post 199 in Fairhope welcomes the public to its Independence Day celebrations at 700 S. Mobile St. Pork and chicken plates will be sold for $10 starting at 11 a.m. The beachfront tiki bar opens at 4:30 p.m., with music at 5:30 p.m. Patrons will be able to watch the city of Fairhope fireworks display from Post 199’s beach.www.americanlegion199.com.
In Daphne, a Fourth of July celebration is planned at Al Trione Sports Complex at 8600 Whispering Pines Road. From 5 to 8 p.m., water slides, hot dogs, lemonade and snow cones will be available for children, according to Recreation Director David McKelroy. The fireworks display will start around 9 p.m.
In Gulf Shores, the city’s annual Fourth of July fireworks display is set for 9 p.m. Friday at the public beach. Carnival-like attractions including stilt walkers, face-painters, balloon artists and more will kick the festivities off at 6 p.m. According to organizers, the fireworks will be shot off of a barge stationed due south of the West 2nd Street beach access point, leaving the main public beach area as an ideal location for spectators. In addition to the fireworks, Sunny 105.7 FM will be broadcasting a patriotic musical element that will coincide with the show. For more information, call the city’s Special Events Division at 251-968-1172 or visit www.gulfshoresal.gov.
In Orange Beach, The Wharf will present its own fireworks spectacular, with festivities running from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The free “Spectra” light and music show takes place three times nightly, with three different programs: “A Night at the Movies” at 8 p.m., “Aqua Show” at 9 p.m. and a “Patriotic Show” at 10 p.m. Additional entertainment including Amora the Fire Enchantress and hula-hoop artists will be featured on Main Street. The fireworks spectacular will take place at 8:45 p.m.
In Orange Beach, The Wharf will present its own fireworks spectacular, with festivities running from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The free “Spectra” light and music show takes place three times nightly, with three different programs: “A Night at the Movies” at 8 p.m., “Aqua Show” at 9 p.m. and a “Patriotic Show” at 10 p.m. Additional entertainment including Amora the Fire Enchantress and hula-hoop artists will be featured on Main Street. The fireworks spectacular will take place at 8:45 p.m.
Flora-Bama Lounge, Package & Oyster Bar plans a full weekend of food, watersports and music, complete with a Miss Firecracker Bikini Contest starting at 3 p.m. Friday. The top three finishers will share in more than $1,200 in cash and prizes, and will become contenders for Miss Flora-Bama 2014; that title, and a $5,000 prize, will be awarded Labor Day Weekend. For the weekend’s music schedule and other details, visit www.florabama.com.
In Bay Minette, a fireworks display sponsored by the city of Bay Minette and the Bay Minette Rotary Club will take place at dusk behind Simmons Field.
The town of Dauphin Island will present a fireworks display at 9 p.m. Friday on the public beach next to the school. The island also will host a “Fourth of July Carnival” Thursday through Sunday at Green Park on Lemoyne Drive.
The Grand Bay Watermelon Festival, presented by the Grand Bay Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge 73, runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Festival Park on U.S. 90. Admission is $5 per vehicle. Attractions include free watermelon slices, food booths, arts and crafts, family entertainment, a large children’s area and a classic car show. Visit www.grandbaywatermelonfestival.org.
The city of Ocean Springs will hold its celebration at 7 p.m. Friday, with festivities running from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The band Worx will perform at Ft. Maurepas Park beginning at 7 p.m., with fireworks to be shot from a nearby property at the foot of Jackson Avenue at 8:40 p.m.
The city of Pascagoula will present a 20-minute fireworks show at Beach Park. Activities begin at 6:30 p.m., with the fireworks show at 9 p.m.
Rewind Fest rocks The Amphitheater at The Wharf, bringing together an array of tribute acts. The lineup includes acts paying tribute to Ratt, Motley Crue, Ozzy Osbourne, Guns ‘n’ Roses, U2, Led Zeppelin, Prince, Sammy Hagar-era Van Halen, and David Lee Roth-era Van Halen. General admission prices range from $11 to $25.50, with VIP seats available for $45.50. A two-for-one ticket offer is in effect through Saturday, according to www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, call The Wharf’s box office at 251-224-1021. The Wharf also presents its free “Spectra” light and music show three times nightly, with three different programs: “A Night at the Movies” at 8 p.m., “Aqua Show” at 9 p.m. and a “Patriotic Show” at 10 p.m. Additional entertainment including Amora the Fire Enchantress and hula-hoop artists will be featured on Main Street.
Perdido Beach Resort, at 27200 Perdido Beach Blvd. in Orange Beach, will hold its annual Independence Day Celebration on Saturday. On the resort’s beach deck, festivities start at 6 p.m. with a performance by The Tip-Tops and a barbecue buffet. Advance tickets are $26.95 for adults and $13.50 for children ages 5-12. (Food is included, alcoholic beverages are not.) On Saturday, admission is $32 for adults, $16 for children. The resort’s beachfront fireworks display will begin at 9 p.m. Overnight packages are available. For information, visit www.perdidobeachresort.com or call 251-981-9811.
“Dr. Jazz” Normand will present a grand piano concert titled “Red, White, and Sparkling Blue Jazz,” celebrating “the glamourous music of our Greatest Generation.” The concert starts at 3 p.m. at Fairhope Unitarian Fellowship, 1150 Fairhope Ave.
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