Fireworks or lasers, apple pie or barbecue, a patriotic sing-along or a four-mile run — there are many ways to celebrate Independence Day on the Gulf Coast.

Here are some of the events planned for Friday and Saturday, July 3 and 4.

Friday, July 3

ESTERO

• 10th-Annual Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks Miromar Outlets and Germain Arena start things one day early with their free annual celebration. Children’s activities and live music by rock band GEEK SKWAD start at 5:30 p.m.  At 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., the Southern Extreme Water-Ski Team performs on the lake between Miromar Outlets and Germain Arena.  Then at dusk, the fireworks show takes place over the lake.  Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.  Coolers or personal fireworks are not permitted. Miromar Outlets is located at exit 123 off Interstate 75 in Estero. For more information, go to MiromarOutlets.com or call 948-3766.
  

 FORT MYERS

• Fourth of July Fireworks  The  City of Fort Myers’ Fourth of July festivities include a free fireworks show launched at dusk from a barge in the Caloosahatchee River across from Centennial Park. Centennial Park, Edwards Drive, River District, Fort Myers.

 

• Multi-Cultural Festival  The Haitian-American Coalition for Community Empowerment Inc. hosts its first festival remembering Haitians who came to fight for the independence of the United States. Many of them fought with valor and distinction at the Battle of Savannah, Ga.  Everyone is invited to celebrate at the family event, which includes food, fun and entertainment. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Centennial Park, Edwards Drive, River District, Fort Myers.

CAPE CORAL

• Cape Harbour Great American Picnic  Cape Harbour celebrates Independence Day with a tribute to the troops, a patriotic pet contest, arts and crafts for kids, martial arts demonstrations by Jeff Santella’s Street Defense and an apple-pie baking contest sponsored by Pignoli’s (which will also be selling hot dogs and hamburgers). Live entertainment will be provided by DJ Juke Box Hero during the free festival, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Cape Harbour, 5703 Cape Harbour Drive, Cape Coral.  945-6116.

 

• Red White & Boom Celebration  Bring the family and celebrate the birthday of our country with food and drinks, local arts and crafts vendors, a children’s fun zone and a fireworks display. The free celebration begins at 4 p.m. and continues until the fireworks grand finale around 9:30 p.m. (depending on the weather). Live bands perform on the main stage throughout the day and evening. Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral.  549-6900.

BONITA SPRINGS

• Star Spangled Bonita Party in the Park   As darkness falls, the Bonita Springs night sky will come alive with a laser light show. The eco-friendly display takes place at Riverside Park, located near Pennsylvania Avenue on Old U.S. 41 Road in Bonita Springs. The party starts at 6 p.m. No fireworks will be used. Musical bands include Deb & The Dynamics, Jay Frost & Three Below and Kahlua & Cream. Other events at the Fourth of July celebration include the popular pie-baking and hot-dog-eating contests, children’s games and a waterslide. Refreshments will be available. The artist cottages in the Liles Hotel plaza will be open. For more information, visit cityofbonitasprings.org or call 949-6262.
  

FORT MYERS BEACH

• Fort Myers Beach Fourth of July Parade  Parade begins at 10 a.m. at Beach Elementary School and proceeds along Estero Boulevard north and ends at the beach pier. The best viewing area is anywhere along Estero Boulevard to Lynn Hall Park. 462-8798.

• Fort Myers Beach Fourth of July Parade  Miss Florida — Lees Garcia of Tampa — leads the Fort Myers Beach Civic Association’s second Fourth of July Parade. The parade starts at 10 a.m. at Beach Elementary School and proceeds along Estero Boulevard north and ends at the beach pier. The best viewing area is anywhere along Estero Boulevard to Lynn Hall Park. Stay on the beach and have fun until the fireworks display at dark at Lynn Hall Park. At 2 p.m., Miss Florida will be joined by Miss Southwest Florida, Miss Fort Myers, Miss Cape Coral and Miss Naples at a meet-and-greet reception at the Pink Shell Resort Hotel on the island’s north end next to Bowditch Point Park. 462-8798.
  

NAPLES

• Independence Day Parade and Celebration  The Naples parade starts at 10 a.m. at the corner of Third Street South and Broad Avenue South, turning onto Fifth Avenue and ending near City Hall on Eighth Street South. 213-7113.

• Opera Naples fireworks party Naples’ professional opera company celebrates Independence Day outside The Mansion at the Pier, a brand-new mansion located at 60 12th Ave. S., Naples. Tickets for the fundraiser are $75 and include beer, wine, brats, dessert, a patriotic sing-along and a “front-row seat” for the fireworks. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. There will be plenty of parking nearby at 1250 Gulf Shore Blvd. S., Naples. The event will be both inside and outside. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket. For reservations, call 514-7464.
  

SANIBEL ISLAND

• Backyard BBQ  The BCMA Merchants Association presents food and beer, cocktail sampling, live music by The Hay Boys, car bashing, mule and wagon rides, a waterslide, photos with Uncle Sam, a dunk tank and giveaways. It all happens from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Baileys Center, 2477 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. 
  

LEHIGH ACRES

• Fourth of July celebration Lehigh Community Services holds a Fourth of July celebration from noon to 5 p.m. at Veterans Park, 49 Homestead Road S., Lehigh Acres.  The patriotic-themed event features food, live bands and children activities such as a bounce house, water slides and a snow mountain.  Contestants from this year’s Lehigh Spring Festival Idol Contests will perform too. No fireworks.  The event is free, but it costs $3 for a wristband to ride the kids rides ($5 for two wristbands). All proceeds benefit Lehigh Community Services’ programs to help needy people pay for food, rent and clothes. For more information, call 369-5818.
  

•  4 Miler Race Four-mile, cross-country run starts at 7:30 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, 55 Homestead Road, Lehigh Acres. Preregistration required by July 3. Entry fee is $18 in advance, $20 the day of the race, $15 for people 17 years old or younger. Call Coach Romero at Lehigh Senior High School, 369-5818.
  

PUNTA GORDA

• July 4th Celebration  Families are invited to celebrate with games and children’s activities at Fisherman’s Village from noon-6 p.m.  The Virgin Islands Band plays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.  View the fireworks display over Charlotte Harbor beginning at 9 p.m, Fishermen’s Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda.  800-639-0020. 
  

• Freedom Swim  This year’s Freedom Swim fun swimming event starts at 11 a.m.  A discussion with swimmers before the start takes place at 10:55 a.m.  Parking is available on the public land on the east side of the north end of the northbound bridge. Landing will be at Fishermen’s Village.  As always, the swim is intended to be a fun “happening” rather than a race.  Swimmers are responsible for their own safety and support team, public beach at the west side of the north end of the southbound U.S. 41 bridge, Charlotte Harbor.  941-661-5622.