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Bring your sunblock, umbrella and especially your patience.

Be prepared to arrive early for a place to park if your holiday plans include attending the Fourth of July parade in downtown Naples today.

"The road closures begin at 8 a.m.," said Sgt. Phil Valdario, supervisor of special operations for Naples Police and Emergency Services. "I wouldn't recommend trying to park within the parade route."

The parade, with 110 entries, begins at 10 a.m. at the starting point of Broad Avenue South and Third Street South, but the street closures will kick in two hours earlier and last the duration of the parade until noon or shortly thereafter. Once the parade is over, the barricades will be lifted.

Streets and intersections will be closed to cars along the parade route at Broad Avenue South at Third Street South and north on Third and then east on Fifth Avenue South and on Eighth Street South, with the parade route ending at the flag pole at the Cove Inn, he said.

"All the side streets are going to be closed to prevent vehicles," he said.

Parking is always at a premium for the parade and families should carpool if they can and arrive early to find a spot; all should be forewarned tickets will be issued to violators.

"It's really first-come, first-serve," he said. "Don't block any intersections or driveways."

Last year the parade had 94 entries, so the event is getting larger. U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate against incumbent Bill Nelson, will be participating in the Naples parade, riding in a car near the beginning of the parade.

Earlier, at 9 a.m. at Gulfview Middle School, members of the United States Special Operations Command Parachute Team will display their talents in the skies above the 255 Sixth St. South school.

For the 9 p.m. fireworks display off Naples Pier, many revelers stake out their spot on the beach in the afternoon. Some people come to the beach in the morning and spend the whole day there, Valdario said.

Special handicapped parking will be available at Fourth Avenue South and Gulfshore Boulevard South on the beach end, which has room for about 18 vehicles with handicapped stickers.

Fireworks are prohibited on the beach and officers will respond to complaints, confiscate illegal fireworks and issue notices for violators to appear in court. The violation carries a $65 fine. Fireworks that propel or explode aren't allowed.

"Sprinklers that flash at the end of a stick are fine," he said.

City officials don't have an estimate of how many people attend the parade, but the 20-minute fireworks display, presented by Zambelli Fireworks, usually brings a throng of 10,000.

During the parade and especially for the fireworks, Naples police will have 40 officers on duty, primarily dealing with the traffic.

"The best thing I can say is use your common sense and watch your children," he said. "If you see anything dangerous, we want to respond."

Anyone wanting to avoid the crowds on the Naples beach can head over to Sugden Regional Park in East Naples, where members of the Naples Jaycees are hosting an Independence Day celebration with gates opening at 4 p.m. The park is located at 4284 Avalon Drive.

Activities include a parachute jump from United States Special Operations Command, a Mr. and Ms. Firecracker contest and live entertainment. A fireworks display is at 9:15 p.m. with patriotic music. Food and drinks are available and coolers are prohibited. Parking is available at the Collier County Government Center at U.S. 41 and Airport-Pulling Road, with free shuttle service to the park by Naples Trolley Tours.

Expect the crowd to start gathering before 6 p.m. in anticipation of the Sugden park activities, said Lisa Douglass, with the Naples Jaycees.

"We usually get 10,000 to 15,000 people for the fireworks," she said.