Holiday: Independence Day

Here's a newsflash for those without a firm grasp on the obvious: There will be fireworks on the Fourth of July all over the Bay area despite a budget crisis that's caused some cities to opt out. Fortunately, no one has to drive very far to see the professional pyrotechnics, which is good, because drivers will likely spend too much time looking for a place to park, then trying to find a spot to set up lawn chairs or a blanket that's far enough away from drunken pedestrians and wayward explosives, then fighting the crowds to get back to the car and waiting in traffic to leave once it's all over. But hey -- it sure beats the risk of losing an eye or a finger at your redneck neighbor's explode-it-yourself fireworks bash.

Downtown St. Petersburg hosts a celebration that lasts throughout the day at The Pier with live music, food, a variety of entertainers and a fireworks show over Tampa Bay that starts at 9 p.m. 800 Second Ave. N.E.

Tampa's annual fireworks blowout over Garrison Channel features live entertainment at Channelside beginning at 6 p.m. and leading all the way up to the show at 9 p.m. 615 Channelside Drive.

Clearwater's annual two-day musical celebration kicks off July 3 with sets by BK Jackson, Paul Brown and Eric Darius (6:15-10 p.m.) and concludes July 4 with a 7:30 p.m. performance by the Mostly Pops Orchestra featuring John and Mary K Wilson, followed by a fireworks display at 9:30 p.m. Coachman Park, 301 Drew St.

Safety Harbor's celebration takes place at the Safety Harbor Marina. The fun begins at 5 p.m. and includes a Parent Guide Magazine Family Zone with moon walks, crafts and miniature golf, food and drink vendors and live entertainment throughout by Rebekah Pulley and John Q. The fireworks start at 9 p.m. 110 Veterans Memorial Lane.

Gulfport holds an all-day celebration in the city's downtown waterfront district. Among the diversions are a Kid's Fishing Derby at the Recreation Center seawall (8-11 a.m.), a Sandcastle Contest on Gulfport Beach (10 a.m.-noon), free kid-friendly activities (noon-6 p.m.), a Car/Truck/Motorcycle Show along Beach Boulevard S., a Children's Patriotic Pageant inside the Gulfport Casino Ballroom (noon-2 p.m.), live entertainment by Bobby and the Rockets at the casino beginning at 4 p.m., food, arts and crafts, the Fourth of July Community Parade (6 p.m.) and a fireworks display at 9 p.m.

Largo's musical celebration takes place at Central Park from 6 to 10 p.m. (101 Central Park Drive) while Tarpon Springs -- which initially cancelled its celebration due to budget cuts, but reinstated the festivities after receiving an $18,000 donation from bd's Mongolian Grill -- kicks off its annual fireworks show at Fred Howard Park at 9 p.m. 1700 Sunset Drive.