A lot of good memories can be made while floating on the water. In fact, On September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key composed the lyrics to "The Star-Spangled Banner" after watching the massive overnight British bombardment of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. He was under detainment on a British ship when he was overcome with inspiration and awe that Fort McHenry's flag survived the 1,800-bomb attack. Even today, there is something very American about being on the boat in the open water, watching fireworks celebrate the freedom of our nation.
We know it’s early, but we want to give you a run down of different places around the country where you could celebrate Independence Day on a lake or river.
Annual Big Bay Boom July 4 Fireworks Show
Location: Multiple locations along San Diego Bay, Calif.
Time: 9:00 p.m.
www.sandiego.org
San Diego, Calif., offers one of the largest displays in the entire country. Fireworks are shot off simultaneously from barges placed strategically around the Bay off Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Embarcadero North, Seaport Village, Embarcadero South Marina Park, Coronado Ferry Landing and Imperial Beach. You can float your boat in the harbor while watching the fireworks show that completely illuminates the San Diego skyline. If you can’t bring your boat, there are places on the piers in Imperial Beach, Ocean Beach and Pacific Beach to watch.
Fourth of July At Lake Tahoe
Location: Multiple around Lake Tahoe, Calif.
Time: 9:45 p.m.
www.tahoesouth.com
Lights on the Lake in South Lake Tahoe in California is always a great way to celebrate the Fourth of July. It's completely synchronized to music and is known as one of the largest Independence Day fireworks displays in the west part of the county. It’s free to the public. If you can’t bring your own boat, book a ride on one of Lake Tahoe's paddle wheelers. Other good viewing spots include Nevada Beach, Timber Cove Marina, Bijou Community Park, Tallac Historic Site, and the beach at Edgewood-Tahoe.
Family Fourth At Lake Union
Location: Seattle, Wash.
Time: 10 p.m.
www.family4th.org
The Family Fourth At Lake Union opens at noon on July 4th for family activities at Gas Works Park. A Seattle tradition since 1988, the Family Fourth At Lake Union is one of the best Independence Day fireworks displays in the country. The ground-breaking fireworks show, set against the natural amphitheater surrounding Lake Union and synchronized to a moving score of songs, compelled Time Magazine to name the Family Fourth At Lake Union one of the top five fireworks displays in the country. Part of the celebration is the annual Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival where visitors can tour historic boats on display, build and float their own toy boats, enjoy free boat rides, and cheer on participants trying to prove their boats made on-site actually float in the Quick & Daring 24-hour boatbuilding challenge.
U.S. Bank Fireworks Show
Location: Milwaukee Lake Front, Wis.
Time: 9:30 p.m.
www.city.milwaukee.gov
Each July 3rd, thousands gather along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Wisconsin to watch the U.S. Bank fireworks show, but being aboard a boat for the display provides an unmatched panoramic view.
Fireworks On The Water At Lake of the Ozarks
Location: Gravois Mills, Mo.
Time: Pending
Each year, on the Fourth of July, Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri hosts thousands of people who are drawn to the lake for unlimited fun. There are multiple displays to pick from, but if you want to bring your own boat, check out the “Fireworks on the Water” event put on by Gravois Mills. If you want to be a part of this fireworks show, park your car on Highway 5 and take a boat to the show. The show lasts approximately 30 minutes. Licensed firework experts are invited by Gravois Mills to conduct the show.
Crosslake Celebrates America
Location: Crosslake, Minn.
Time: Dusk
If you live near the Twin Cities and want to get away for the holiday, consider heading up north to Crosslake, Minn. This town hosts great places to watch from the water or from the shores of Cross Lake to view the display from Sand Island beginning at dusk. This Minnesota town is up north but since you can watch the show right from your own boat, it’s worth the drive. This year will be the 43rd annual firework display. Another great place in Minnesota to watch the fireworks from your boat is on Lake Waconia and it’s closer to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. The show kicks off at 10 p.m. and the local Chamber of Commerce says people on their own boat get the best view in the house.
North Carolina Fourth Of July Festival
Location: Southport-Oak Island, N.C.
Time: 9 p.m.
www.nc4thofjuly.com
Going to be in the North Carolina area? Visit Southport, N.C., over the Fourth of July to join 40,000 to 50,000 other Americans for the city’s annual festival. The tradition goes back to 1792, when the people of the Town of Smithville (Southport’s original name) celebrated the nation’s independence from Great Britain with a toast, as ships anchored in the harbor fired their cannons in merriment. Today crowds of people line the Waterfront in Southport and many modern day “ships” anchor in the harbor to watch a radiant fireworks display, launched from a barge in the Intracoastal Waterway. Plenty of oh’s and ah’s are packed into the 20 minute fireworks show which is the finale for the festival. The local chamber of commerce recommends renting a slip for your boat during the day and heading out on the water for the firework show.
Florida Celebrations
Locations: Over 30 different options
Time: Pending
www.floridabywater.com
Foridabywater.com has released the 2013 list of places where you can view fireworks from your boat in Florida. There are over 30 locations that have been submitted by local chambers of commerce as well as tourism and visitor bureaus from across the Sunshine State. So if you are going close by, you have tons of options. Florida is one of the few states that can offer this many elaborate displays over water, allowing spectators to view the celebration from the comfort of their boat, which makes for the perfect Fourth of July. One of the many options is the Red, White and Boom event at Cape Coral, where spectators can watch from their boats on the Caloosahatchee River or on land, at the beginning of the bridge and surrounding riverfront.
Salem Celebrates The Fourth!
Location: Salem, Mass.
Time: 9:15 p.m.
www.salem.org
We’ve all heard of the Salem Witch hunts in the late 1600’s, so it might be a great fall destination. But don’t count them out for the Fourth of July. The city hosts an all-day event that includes an afternoon of free crafts, games and face painting for the kids. Live music from local rock and folk bands is another great reason to head over to Massachusetts for the event. The highlight of the day is the brilliant 25-minute firework display from one of Salem’s wharves or even from a boat in the Salem Sound! This event has been going on for 13 years and is a quintessential celebration of the Fourth of July.
Now that you have some choices on where to go, here are some safety tips to consider.
- There are going to be a lot of people and boats on the water. Everyone wants the same experience, so make sure you have a calm person behind the throttle. Spend the night being patient and enjoy these relaxing moments with your loved ones as you cruise leisurely back to land.
- Make sure your boat is equipped with the correct safety equipment and check that everything is functioning correctly. Life jackets are already onboard, but if you have a full boat for the special event, you’ll need to be sure you have extra life jackets.
- Do not drink. The driver of the boat should definitely not be drinking but keeping your entire boat dry may make for a more enjoyable evening. Drunk people could distract the captain. If an emergency comes up, your passengers may not be able to react as quickly as needed. He would be more likely to lose his balance than if he were sober.
- When looking for the perfect place to drop anchor, make sure you anchor downwind of the where they are shooting off the fireworks. If you anchor your boat upwind, you may not hear the fireworks as clearly.
We hope you have a great Fourth of July aboard your boat. Stay safe and share pictures with us on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pdbmagazine.
