For the Rotary Club of Key West, this Fourth of July is kind of a big deal — and not just because it marks America’s 250th birthday, although that’s a big deal as well.
“This is Rotary’s 50th year hosting the Key West fireworks, in addition to America’s 250th, so we wanted to make the celebration exceptional, ” said Sam Steele, the newly installed Rotary president and county tax collector. “I told our fireworks vendor I wanted the biggest fireworks package he’s got. As Uncle Sam, I’d be doing Key West a disservice if we didn’t go all out this year. ”
As such, the club has added an event to its traditional patriotic party and picnic down by Higgs Beach and Indigenous Park that leads into the fireworks show at 9 p.m.
This year, the club is also offering a beachfront fireworks viewing party at the Casa Marina starting on Saturday, July 4 at 5 p.m.
Tickets are $20 per person with kids under 10 admitted free. Attendees are encouraged to bring beach chairs and blankets — but no coolers or outside food and drinks. Enter through the side entrance on Seminole Street. Tickets are available at the door.
“We’ll have live entertainment, a cash bar and a beach barbecue,” Steele said. “But we’re not taking anything away from our traditional activities, which will be bigger and better than ever.”
The Higgs Beach festivities start at noon and last until the grand fireworks finale around 10 p.m.
Two bounce houses will be set up on the beach for the kids, along with games, two giant tents for shade and live entertainment, Steele said, adding that Imagination Station toy store has donated 250 of the “Dumplings” that are trending in the kids’ world these days.
“The Rotary club has been proudly hosting the Key West fireworks since the Bicentennial in 1976,” Steele said. “And we’re grateful to have partnered with the City of Key West and this year with the Casa Marina. Also, big thanks to Key West International Airport for being our biggest sponsor and helping to make this celebration spectacular,” Steele said.
Admission is free for the beach festivities, but food and drinks, including hot dogs and hamburgers, will be for sale, along with Rotary 250th T-shirts and drink koozies.
More information is at facebook.com/keywestrotary.
