Naples gearing up for July 4th parade, fireworks

Do you play a musical instrument, march in a band or have a float you want to enter in Naples' Independence Day Parade?

If so, contact city officials for an application and information packet at 213-7120. Special awards are being given for outstanding floats.

The parade, which sets off from Third Street South and Broad Avenue South at 10 a.m. July 4, will end at City Hall at Eighth Street South. But marchers and floats must set up at 8:30 a.m.

Fireworks will go off from Naples Pier at 9 p.m. The 20-minute display will feature musically choreographed patriotic selections that will be simulcast on radio station WGUF, 98.9 FM.

For the best viewing spots, residents are invited to bring chairs or blankets to areas along the city beach from Lowdermilk Park to south of the pier.

Police are warning residents to follow the laws. Personal sparklers and fireworks are prohibited. Parking enforcement will focus on "No Parking" areas, especially those next to intersections and fire hydrants, and violators' vehicles could be impounded.

City officials are encouraging residents to carpool and to use public parking in the Third Street South area. They're urging residents to respect private property by not blocking driveways or parking on lawns without residents' consent.

Fourth Avenue South will be a designated disabled parking beach end for those with disabled parking permits. Parking meters will be enforced from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., the time at which parking is barred at beach ends.

Police are encouraging residents not to use alleys and not to block traffic.