Fireworks on Marco Island – What to Know

Marco Island prides itself on vigorous celebrations on national holidays, especially ones that are centered around patriotism. Flags will line the medians, and the air of festivity cascades across the entire Island. Naturally, the 4^th of July garnishes this level of interest, and experiencing the 4^th on Marco is a must for anyone who treasures the area. The biggest reason? The spectacular fireworks show!

Fireworks on the Beach

The crown jewel of festivities on the Island, the fireworks show in between South Beach and Tigertail Beach represents an essential viewing experience; you simply must see it at least once if you call the Island your home in the summer.

How Best to See Them

To best experience the fireworks show, it is important to consider timing, parking, and comfort. Here’s what The Waldren Team recommends, having attended numerous fireworks shows in the past:

• Timing: Historically, the show is slated to begin at 9:00pm. Due to the immensely popular nature of this show, we recommend heading to the beach a few hours beforehand. Plenty of attendees will likely be targeting sunset in order to see that as well, so try heading to the beach before then to get a prime spot!
• Parking: This correlates heavily with timing; if you get to the beach prior to sunset, parking should be smoother. While all the typical beach parking areas are on the table, our family always parks at the San Marco Catholic Church, which generally allows parking on the 4^th.
• Comfort: As previously stated, showing up a few hours early is key to an optimal viewing experience. Therefore, bring your beach chairs! You are going to the beach after all, so having somewhere nice to sit will make the time go by easily.

Can I Have Fireworks?

In short, the answer is no, as fireworks have essentially been banned on the Island for decades. Recently, citizens have questioned whether fireworks may become legal again due to Florida Governor Don DeSantis signing a bill legalizing fireworks on July 4. This law, however, does not supersede local ordinances. Marco Island cites four different ordinances that necessitate the prohibition of fireworks, with reasons ranging from fire risk, noise, animals, and park safety.

Think of the Animals!

Again, animals are cited as one of the major reasons for curtailing use of recreational fireworks. This goes for wild animals as well as our furry friends. If you recall, turtles are trying to nest and provide a fighting chance for their young to make it to the ocean and survive. While the show on the beach accounts for this, sudden light sources elsewhere cannot be accounted for, and this could lead to “false crawls.” In short, think of the turtles! There’s also the matter of our beloved pups getting spooked by the noise. If you’re a dog owner, some tactics you can use to keep them calm include making a safe space in the home for them, putting on alternative noise such as a TV, and walking them prior to the start of the fireworks.

So, from The Waldren Team, enjoy your 4th of July festivities, and stay safe out there!