“This Independence Day we are going to come together once again to celebrate our community, honor our heroes, and commemorate our nation’s birth after a very challenging time for our community and our country, Sarasota Mayor Hagen Brody said in a statement.
The parade will pay tribute to veterans, first responders, medical professionals and frontline workers. It will start at 8 p.m. at Mound Street and Orange Avenue, ending at Bayfront Drive and Main Street by J.D. Hamel Park, with designated areas for public viewing to be marked along the parade route.
Organizing the parade will be Dan Kennedy, chairman of Sarasota Patriotic Observance Committee, which has also organize other local events including Sarasota s annual Memorial Day parade. Last year s Memorial Day parade was canceled due to the pandemic, and a City of Sarasota spokesperson said there is not one planned this year, though there are plans to hold a Memorial Day ceremony at J.D. Hamel Park.
“Rebranding into a summer festival enables the charity to focus on its mission to raise money for six area nonprofit agencies, Suncoast Charities for Children s executive director Lucy Nicandri said in a statement. Suncoast Summer Fest will not only provide a better infrastructure to sustain our fundraising efforts in the future, but also allow us the ability to include new events and partnerships.”
Other events planned for this year s festival include a Waves & Wheels Festival Kickoff Party, Red, White & Blue Motorcycle Poker Chip Run, Boats on the Block Downtown Block Party and Suncoast Summer Fest Boat Fun Run. Additional events will be announced soon, according to Suncoast Charities for Children.