Sue Scheff: Fireworks over the Matanzas - An Event for the Entire Family

Like Christmas at Disney, fireworks in the Historic City of St. Augustine is an experience everyone should do at least once.

Here are some quick facts from the Historic City News:

Schedule for Sunday, July 4th:

6:00pm The All Star Orchestra in the Plaza de la Constitucion
Big Band Sounds with a Patriotic Flair, the All Star Orchestra, returns to the Plaza de la Constitución for a two-hour show filled with Big Band and Swing music along with all the traditional patriotic favorites. The performance runs from 6:00pm until 8:00pm. The concert is free and those attending should bring lounge chairs for seating.

9:30pm Fireworks Over The Matanzas

Stunning fireworks display over the Old City’s historic Bayfront and set to a stirring soundtrack of patriotic and popular favorites. The best vantage point for both sight and sound is between the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and the Bridge of Lions. But if you can be there, take an AM radio with you wherever you go and share the experience with the help of WFOY/1240-AM’s simulcast.

Getting in, parking, and getting out:

Fireworks Over The Matanzas draws more people (an estimated 45,000+) and cars into the downtown area than any other single event all year long. A growing trend in recent years has been the use of bicycles by those who live close to downtown or carpooling with friends to minimize the number of cars in need of a place to park.

Rerouting of traffic will begin at 8:30pm and will include closing of the Temporary Bridge of Lions, Avenida Menendez and South Castillo Drive to all vehicular traffic to accommodate the vast number of pedestrians.

The best advice is to arrive early, explore the city, enjoy the show, and be patient during departure.

After the show…stay ‘n stroll
Each year more and more people are remaining downtown after the fireworks for dessert, to browse shops that have extended hours for the holiday or simply to enjoy the Old City.

Sticking around for a while has become the preferred alternative to sitting in traffic. Many have a late night sandwich, an ice cream cone or simply enjoy a leisurely stroll back to the car. Why not join the thousands who choose to stay ‘n stroll after the show.

Keep it Safe! Keep it legal!

Please remember two important safety rules that will be strictly enforced:

• Alcohol is prohibited on public property, including parks, streets and sidewalks; and
• Possession of fireworks that explode or leave the ground is illegal. Those found with such fireworks will be subject to citation or arrest and will have prohibited fireworks confiscated. The cost of the citation is $100.00.

Have a safe and exciting holiday with  your entire family!

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Sue Scheff: Fireworks Over the Matanzas - 4th of July in St. Augustine

Fireworks Over The Matanzas

St. Augustine’s Great July 4th Tradition Continues

6:00pm - The All Star Orchestra in Concert in the Plaza Gazebo
8:30pm - Traffic detours begin
9:30pm - Fireworks Over the Matanzas

Holidays are built around traditions and few holidays have more great family traditions than the Fourth of July: great food, outdoor band concerts, a day with friends and family, and of course, fireworks! They all come together in a grand celebration and there’s no better place to celebrate Independence Day than in the Nation’s Oldest City.

First, There’s Music

Starting at 6:00pm one of the region’s most popular big bands, The All Star Orchestra, returns to the Plaza de la Constitución for a two-hour show filled with Big Band and Swing music along with all the traditional patriotic favorites. The All Star Orchestra’s performance from the Plaza’s Gazebo runs from 6:00pm until 8:00pm. The concert is free and those attending should bring lounge chairs for seating.

Then there’s fireworks!

Fireworks over the Matanzas, the highlight of St. Augustine’s traditional July 4th activities has become synonymous with celebrating Independence Day in the Nation’s Oldest City. The spectacular aerial display of pyrotechnics high over Matanzas Bay begins at 9:30pm.

The 20-minute display is tightly choreographed to a stirring soundtrack of great popular music delivered over an extensive sound system transforming the entire Bayfront between the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and the Bridge of Lions into a theatre of sight and sound.

Enjoy downtown after the show

Since July 4th falls on a Sunday this year, it is expected that many people will remain downtown at the conclusion of the show for a late dinner or to visit the shops that have learned the value of extended hours after the fireworks. Given the choice between spending time strolling downtown with friends and family or sitting in traffic wasting gas, more and more people are taking their time.

Source: City of St. Augustine