Pride, Patriotism & Beach Party

The Marco Island Civic Association, collaborating with the city, will again host this year's 4th of July celebration.

The Marco Beach Blast is open to all Residents' Beach members, kicks off at noon and continues all day through the fireworks finale.

Buff, brave — or young! — get out your red, white and blue; not your American flag (which should wave every day) but your swimsuit. The festivities at Residents' Beach will include a patriotic bathing suit contest and your fashion independence might declare you the winner for "most patriotic" or "most unusual" swimwear. Adults and children will be judged separately.

From 2 to 5 p.m., children can take part in games such as tug-of-war, a hula-hoop contest, sack races and limbo — a lot easier for little people.

Judging of the patriotic swimsuit contest occurs during this time as well.

A DJ, sponsored by the Marco Eagle, will provide patriotic, family-style music throughout the day. Celebrants can dance or just marvel at the pleasing background tunes while you lounge on the beach, gazing at the gentle motion of the gulf and our resident wildlife (naturally, I'm speaking of the birds).

Don't forget your sand shovel and pail. The traditional sand castle contest is guaranteed to inspire folks to become artists and kids, getting down and dirty in the sand.

Sign up at the sand castle booth on the beach. The beach sculptures will be juried at 3 p.m.

The Kiwanis Club will sell holiday T-shirts and the Eagle will be shelling out giveaways to revelers.

Tasty food and refreshing beverages will be available for purchase from the upgraded beach concession stand, the Snack Shack, which has expanded its menu to include healthy sandwiches and salads, alongside beach fare favorites, hot dogs and hamburgers. If you arrive before 11 a.m., you can sample their breakfast menu, which offers many choices in addition to the standard eggs and bacon.

Five different omelets, waffles, French toast and a variety of breakfast sandwiches are made fresh.

Brian Quinn will provide his ice cream truck, selling frozen treats to hot sun worshipers.

The Robert W. Sessions Pavilion offers ample space on its deck for diners or sunbathers who want to escape the sun and sip on an iced tea. A section of the patio is covered and the tables and chairs provide a comfortable place to savor the tropical breeze while you scan the gulf for sailboats and sea life.

March 12, 2006, marked the dedication of the structure to Robert Sessions, who was a remarkable contributor to humanitarian needs and a generous philanthropist (he donated a large sum to make this renovation possible). Sessions, a longtime Marco resident, invented the cardiac pacemaker implant, the mammogram and disposable EKG electrodes, among others, that are so commonly and frequently used today. Sessions' son, Dr. Roger Sessions, was present for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

No more careful navigation up the wet, sandy staircase to the restrooms — they're on ground level. Every feature of the 3-month-old Sessions Pavilion is handicap accessible (beach wheelchairs with plump are available), clean in its design, attractive and health-conscious for beachgoers (the commodes, faucets and hand dryers are all automatic). It's the perfect complement to our pristine, white sugar-sand beach and glimmering aqua gulf.

The moment that every kid (young and not-so-young) waits for — the launch of the first fireworks — will begin at 9 p.m. or sundown, whichever comes first. The city paid the tab for this year's extravaganza from the goodwill fund.

Firepowers Display Unlimited will be shooting the dazzling boomers from a barge in the gulf, under the watchful eyes of our loyal, hardworking fire department.

Gather your beach chairs, umbrellas, towels, noodles and coolers (remember, no glassware) and stake out your spot on the beach. Bring plenty of water and sunblock — and a photo i.d. for entry — it's a full day and evening's worth of entertainment.

For those of you who are not Residents' Beach members, you can still have a clear view of the fireworks from anywhere on the hotel and condominium beach areas, as well as public-access south beach.

Friends of Tigertail Quarterly Beach Clean Up

8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. July 15, 2006

Join the Friends of Tigertail at the Tigertail Beach Informational Kiosk. Plastic gloves and garbage bags are provided. Bring your family or friends and a supply of bottled water. For more information, visit www.friendsoftigertail.com, call Susan LaGrotta at (239) 438-7776 or e-mail susan@susanlagrotta.com.

OTHER LOCAL 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS

NAPLES

Independence Day Parade, 10 a.m.

July 4, beginning at the corner of Third Street South and Broad Avenue South. Turns onto Fifth Avenue and concludes near City Hall on Eighth Street South. 213-7120.

Naples Jaycees 11th Annual Independence Day Celebration, gates open at 4 p.m. July 4, Sugden Regional Park, 4284 Avalon Drive, Naples. Parachute jump by the U.S. Special Operations Command, food, games, Mr. & Mrs. Firecracker Contest and live entertainment. Fireworks accompanied by patriotic music begins at 9:15 p.m. Coolers are not permitted. Parking available at the Collier County Government Center with free shuttle service by Naples Trolley Tours.

Independence Day Fireworks Celebration, 9 p.m. July 4, Naples Pier. Bring chairs or blankets to watch on the city beach from Lowdermilk Park to south of the Pier. Parking meters in effect until 11 p.m. No parking after 11 p.m. at the beach ends. 213-7120.

Star Spangled Pets, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 1, Humane Society of Collier County, 370 Airport-Pulling Road. Open house, featuring puppy kissing, face painting, dogs diving for dogs, bake sale, Chinese auction, yard sale and Cindy Hall, a Survivor cast member, signing autographs. 643-1880, ext. 18.

BONITA SPRINGS

Star Spangled Bonita, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 1, Riverside Park, 10451 Pennsylvania Ave. Best Blue Ribbon Pie Contest, music by Bob Leary's New Orleans Dixieland Quartet and hot dog-eating contest. 495-5529 or 949-6260.

Bonita celebration, 5:30 p.m. July 4, Village Center, Palmira Golf and Country Club, 14751 Bonita Beach Road. Entertainment, food and fireworks. Shuttle from Flamingo Island Flea Market. Bring chairs and blankets. 495-5529 or 949-6260.

FORT MYERS

Fort Myers Miracle Baseball Game and Fireworks, 7:05 p.m. July 1 and July 3, Hammond Stadium, 14400 Six Mile Cypress Parkway. $5, grandstand; $7 box seats. (239) 768-4210 www.miraclebaseball.com.

Fort Myers Beach Fireworks, music and activities, dusk July 4, Times Square, Fort Myers Beach. (239) 454-7500.

Fort Myers Riverfest, 4 to 10 p.m.

July 4, Centennial Park, kids activities, live entertainment, food and beverages, fireworks ($2 donation is requested). Parking garages and the Harborside parking lot will be open. (239) 332-6680.