Celebrating Independence Day in the River City isn’t a matter of finding something to do, it’s a matter of deciding what to do! The Recorder’s Fourth of July celebration guide includes a listing of running events on July 4, a day trip idea to St. Marys Railroad to hop aboard America’s Birthday Express, and of course, a fireworks viewing guide.
July 2
St. Marys Railroad America’s Birthday Express
Take an interactive, patriotic train ride with St. Marys Railroad Birthday Express July 2 and 4.
America’s Birthday Express will take passengers through woodlands and over marshlands to the midway stage, where they will witness the re-enactment of the birth of our nation featuring Benjamin Franklin, Johns Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Aboard the open-air cars, passengers will also be entertained by such iconic figures as Uncle Sam and the Statue of Liberty. Tickets are $17 for adults and $11 for children under 12 plus a $3 processing fee. Children 2 and under ride free. Tickets should be purchased in advance at www.stmarysrailroad.com or by calling (912) 200-5235.
The train will depart from Theatre by the Trax, 1000 Osborne St., St. Marys, Georgia at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on July 2 and noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on July 4.
Also on July 4, the 48th Annual Independence Day Festival presented by the Kiwanis Club of Saint Marys, Georgia will take place beginning at 7 a.m. with 5K and 10K races, a parade at 10 a.m., arts, crafts, food vendors, children’s activities, entertainment and a fireworks show at 9:30 p.m.
July 3
Red, White & Boom
Red, White & Boom 2016 at Renaissance World Golf Village Resort, 500 S. Legacy Trail, St. Augustine will be held Sunday, July 3 on the La Terrazza Patio. The cost is $75 per person; children ages 6-12 will be $35 each and children under 5 are free. Tickets include a dinner buffet, open bar, parking pass, live entertainment and prime seating for the World Golf Village fireworks show. Call (904) 940-8696 for tickets.
World Golf Village Fireworks
The annual World Golf Village community fireworks display will be held Sunday, July 3. The Museum Café at the World Golf Hall of Fame will be open from 6 to 9 p.m. and there will be live music on the patio with Charlie Walker & Dustin Bradley. World Golf Hall of Fame is located at 1 World Golf Place, St. Augustine. Parking will be $10 to view the fireworks; the fireworks will begin at 9:15 p.m.
July 4 – Independence Day
Independence Day Nocatee 4 Miler and Kids Fun Run
The Independence Day 4 Miler and Kids Fun Run will be held Monday, July 4 at the Town Center at Nocatee, 120 Marketside Ave., Ponte Vedra. The 4 Miler run will begin at 7 a.m.; the Kids Fun Run will begin at 8:30 a.m. T-shirts, a race goodie bag with discounts from local businesses and a Sunny Runner Independence Day 4 Miler Finishers Medal will be given to 4 Miler participants. Asics running shoes will be awarded to the first place winner in each age group. Registration is $35; Kids Fun Run registration is $10. For more information or to register, visit www.active.com.
Downtown Jacksonville Fourth of July celebration
The fireworks display over Jacksonville’s downtown riverfront will begin at 9:45 p.m. The fireworks can be viewed on both the Northbank and the Southbank.
Downtown Fireworks Viewing Party at RAM
The River City Arts Market will host a downtown Jacksonville fireworks viewing party July 4 from 6 to 10 p.m.To be held under the Fuller Warren Bridge at 715 Riverside Ave., the event will include live music, local brews from Intuition Ale Works and Bold City Brewery, and kids’ activities. RAM food vendors will be onsite with dinner options and other summer treats. Complicated Animals will provide live music from the River Stage beginning at 6 p.m. and Billy and Bella will take the stage from 8 p.m. until the fireworks begin at 9:45 p.m. information, visit www.riversideartsmarket.com.
Red, White and Brew
The River City Brewing Company’s Red, White and Brew Fourth of July celebration offers two ways to celebrate: dining in the main dining room from 4 to 9:30 p.m. or the Brew House Lounge & Deck All American Buffet from 5 to 9:30 p.m. The All American Buffet will include hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, potato salad, coleslaw, potato chips, cookies and brownies. The cost for the buffet is $13.95 for adults; $9.95 for children ages 4-12. Children under three are free. Drinks, tax and gratuity are additional. Reservations for the main dining room are strongly recommended. Call (904) 398-2299 to make a reservation. River City Brewing Company is located at 835 Museum Circle, Jacksonville. For more information, call (904) 398-2299 or visit www.rivercitybrew.com
City of Jacksonville Beach Fourth of July Fireworks
The City of Jacksonville Beach Fourth of July Fireworks celebration will take place 7:30 to 10 p.m. July 4 at the Seawalk Pavilion, 75 First St. N., Jacksonville Beach. The Navy Band Southeast Wind Ensemble will perform from 7:30 to 9 p.m.; fireworks will be shot from the Jacksonville Beach pier at 9 p.m. The event is free. Restrictions include skateboards, bicycles, glass and animals – except qualified service animals. For more information, visit www.jacksonvillebeach.org.
Fireworks Over the Matanzas
St. Augustine’s Fourth of July celebration at the Castillo de San Marcos on July 4 will include a live music concert and fireworks display over the historic bayfront. One of the biggest fireworks displays on the East Coast, the fireworks display boasts 5,000 individual shells exploding as high as 2,000 feet and as low as 100 feet. Beginning at 6 p.m., The All Star Orchestra will perform a two-hour show of big band and swing music along with patriotic favorites. The concert is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring lounge chairs for seating. The fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.augustine.com/event/fourth-july-fireworks-and-concert
The Pirate Ship Black Raven Fourth of July Celebration cruise
The Pirate Ship Black Raven will offer a special fireworks cruise on July 4.
The ship will depart from the dock at 8 p.m. and will return to the dock immediately following the St. Augustine fireworks display. The adults-only trip is $75 per person and includes live entertainment, food, and a full cash bar, as well as an opportunity to view the fireworks from the water. The Black Raven Pirate Ship departs from the St. Augustine Municipal Marina, 111 Avenida Menendez, located directly south of the Bridge of Lions on the bayfront of historic downtown St. Augustine. For more information or to book a spot, call (904) 826-0000 or visit www.blackravenadventures.com.
