South Florida’s Coolest 4th of July Celebration with Hottest Fireworks Finale

It may be hot in South Florida in July, but when it comes to celebrating the Fourth of July, there’s no place cooler to be than Delray Beach, all topped off by South Florida’s hottest fireworks finale.

“Delray Beach has a reputation for a great party and people come here from all over South Florida to celebrate the Fourth of July,” said Stephanie Immelman, executive director of the Delray Beach Marketing Cooperative, which produces the celebration for the City of Delray Beach “When they get here they see first hand that it’s always cool in Delray Beach.”

“Falling on a Friday this year, the July Fourth celebration is a great way to kick off a holiday weekend, with something going on for just about everyone.

A family tradition that has been taking place for decades, Delray Beach’s Fourth of July festivities include a sand-sculpting contest on the beach that begins at 8 a.m. followed by an afternoon packed with entertainment as well as food and merchandise vendors – all culminating in what is regarded as the best fireworks display in all of South Florida.

“Our Fourth of July celebration is one more way for us to showcase all that Delray Beach has to offer,” Immelman said. “Many of our downtown shops and restaurants, especially those east of the Intracoastal Waterway, are open during the holiday and all of our hotels offer special holiday weekend packages.”

This year, the annual sand-sculpting contest will again be complemented with a large-scale sand sculpture from Team Sandtastic, a professional sand-sculpting group known for amazing works.

By 2 p.m., portions of Atlantic Avenue east of the Intracoastal Waterway and portions of State Road A1A near Atlantic Avenue will be closed in preparation for the 3 p.m. flag-raising ceremony featuring representatives of the U.S. military.

At 3:30 p.m., a variety of activities begin, including live entertainment – which will go on continuously throughout the evening – as well as children’s activities such as face painting, flag making activities, sidewalk chalk art and a photo booth.

Also on hand for both kids and adults will be a mini-golf course from Putt’n Around along with several beach activities, plus the Kid’s Splash Zone, which promises to be the patriotic holiday’s biggest cool down event at $3 each or $15 for an all-day pass.

Among those artists performing throughout the evening will be The Kinected, a four-piece hybrid rock band frequently appearing at Boston’s on the Beach.

To help visitors stay comfortable, this year’s celebration will include a “cool down” tent, complete with misters to help beat the heat. For those who want to cool down with a cool drink, Boston’s, Caffe Luna Rosa and Burger Fi are teaming up to create a beachside beer garden.

Of course, the highlight of the celebration is one of South Florida’s largest and longest fireworks show, put on by Zambelli Fireworks and synchronized to music available on Clear Channel radio

The 20-25 minute show will feature more than 500 unique shells that are guaranteed to produce oohs and ahs from the crowd.

This year, the fireworks will be launched just north of the Marriott Delray Beach.

“It really is an amazing firework display,” says Stephen Chrisanthus, associate director of the DBMC. “We’re definitely keeping it cool at what will be the hottest Fourth of July celebration in South Florida.”