Flagler Beach won’t have fireworks on July 4 (or July 2 or July 3), but Palm Coast will: Celebrate Independence Day with “Fireworks Over the Runways” on Sunday, July 3, at the Flagler Executive Airport, 201 Airport Road in Palm Coast.
The traditional celebration, held on July 3 in palm Coast most years for the past decade, is a production of Palm Coast-based Fireworks by Santore. (Flagler Beach is missing out because the city administration failed to book the show from Santore in time, and attempts to contract with a different producer collapsed.)
Airport gates open at 4 p.m. and festivities include performances by Chillula and Feedback the Band. At 7 p.m., there will be an Independence Day ceremony on the main stage with the Presentation of Colors by the Palm Coast Fire Department Honor Guard, the National Anthem performed by Melanie DiMartino, the reading of the Declaration of Independence by local elected officials, and a Veterans Welcome by Rep. Paul Renner, the Palm Coast Republican and incoming Speaker of the Florida House.
Fireworks will be set off at 9 p.m., featuring more than 1,000 exploding shells and a jaw-dropping finale. The 20-minute-long pyrotechnic show is is funded by a $25,000 grant from the Flagler County Tourist Development Council, with money drawn from the tourism sales surtax levied on hotel, motel and other short-term stays in the county. For continuous live event and traffic information stay tuned to Beach 92.7 FM.
There is no charge for entry, parking, or participation. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from a variety of food vendors. No outside alcohol is permitted. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office will maintain traffic control, crosswalks, and parking along with assistance by the Palm Coast Public Works Department. Visit the event page for more information.
Several strategies related to traffic flow and parking have been coordinated with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. There are a variety of parking options available for event-goers. Arrive early for the best parking!
Parking For Event Access:
- Parking at the Flagler Executive Airport: Enter via Airport Road or Aviation Drive. Traffic Units will direct vehicles to parking areas inside the airport gates on asphalt.
- Flagler Palm Coast High School, 5500 State Road 100 East: Shuttle service begins at 4 p.m.
- *Once parking at the airport is at capacity, entrances will be blocked off.
For Fireworks Viewing Only:
- Fin Way: Grass and asphalt turf
Guests wishing to view the fireworks only without taking part in any planned activities should bypass the entrance to the airport and instead take Belle Terre Parkway south to Fin Way. There will be adequate parking along with portable restroom facilities.
After the event, event traffic will be routed out of the airport from Aviation Drive and Airport Road. All traffic exiting from Aviation Drive must go east. The closest U-turn will be at Town Center Blvd. All traffic exiting from Airport Road can go eastbound or make a U-turn in front of the high school to go westbound. Traffic leaving from Fin Way will have no traffic restrictions.
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office will maintain traffic control, crosswalks, and parking along with assistance by the Palm Coast Public Works Department.
Please help keep the airport clean by throwing away trash in trash receptacles and taking all of your belongings with you when you leave. Personal fireworks are STRICTLY PROHIBITED!
This event is a collaboration between the City of Palm Coast, Flagler County Government, Flagler Executive Airport, and Flagler Broadcasting, with sponsorships by Badcock Home Furniture and More, Coastal Cloud, Daytona Hyundai, Renewal By Andersen, and VyStar Credit Union.
Big poppa says
What do you mean no problem?! They have always had fireworks and now they don’t. That is definitely a issue. Do not let the local politicians drop the ball it will only make the next mistake acceptable. What nice beach town doesn’t put on a firework show??
Chris Conklin says
The city manager needs to go. Unacceptable. Leave a shit ton of free $ on the table for a grant. Shit the bed on fire works. I wish I had a job where I didn’t perform n still got paid. Wow I miss Larry Newsome. The best we’ve ever had.
Steve O says
Flagler Beach and 4th of July have been a staple for decades. Local businesses will bare the brunt for this screw up. How the heck is this not a priority every year? Sign Santori to a multi-year deal. Morons running that town.
Disgusted says
I guess everyone forgot that when it was brought back up for a second vote, Sherman, Phillips and Cooley voted no along with the disapproving look of Cooley’s girlfriend.
They could have had fireworks but the majority overruled.
Been There says
Absolutely no reason to celebrate Independence Day in Gilead II. We have no independence. Staying home heartsick.
James says
From where I’m at in PC I could bicycle over to the FB show, in fact I did so twice. Don’t think I could ever do the same for the PC show… thanks, but no thanks.
If I’m still around here in the next few years I’ll attend the FB 4th show.
Leila says
This City Manager has yet to meet a major deadline. Did anyone check his references?
NothingToCelebrate says
I already despised this day because my neighbors think they have the right to shoot bombs off over my house all night for days on end. How do they know I don’t have PTSD from war? Oh yeah, they don’t care, they’re Trumpers so it’s, “Rules for thee, not for me.”
This year this day means nothing. Not a thing. Celebrate become less than a full person. Yahoooooooo. Can’t wait to see what else they can do to marginalize all persons that aren’t cis-het white Christian men. So excited I cannot wait!!!! Honestly, I’m ready for this country to split in two or three sections – the experiment is over.
Great Show! says
Great Show I Was impressed seemed to last twice as long last the last Flagler Beach Show I went to! Hassle free getting there and back with free parking at the high school across the street.
James says
The airport was a very nice event. Thanks everyone.
Jimmy says
Flagler Beach got what it wanted, limiting people from going over the bridge. Why go there if there’s no fireworks. Big miss, again, for Flagler Beach. I’ll spend my money where it’s appreciated. Meanwhile, that show at the Airport was GREAT! Not too long, a few cool shells and a kick butt finale. Did the spectator area and got in and out in a flash. Good time! Better than being trapped in “you’re not welcome here “ Flagler Beach.
James says
Sounds like it was a good show… I wonder how much it cost.
FlaglerLive says
$25,000.
James says
Hey, I guess that is about what FB usually pays.
Still think splitting the shows between the two communities… one year PC, the next FB… makes more $en$e.
Jim B says
I have celebrated the 4th of July in Flagler Beach since 1968 We kids always looked d forward to that special day. Then I celebrated the 4 th with my children and thier cousins. They even rode their bikes in the parade a number of years. In the last few years I have shared this wonderful day in Flagler Beach with my grandchildren.
Not this year. – no fire works, no Miss Flagler county, no games in veterans park Nothing. Nothing
Our city commissioners should all resign for incompetence
tom dooley says
And would you be willing to run? I doubt it nothing but mouth…maybe if the local businesses would donate and put there money where their mouth is and stop blaming everyone else for their loss in profits we could have fireworks. Why should the taxpayers pay for all of it when it’s the business who will profit from it? 17 minutes for fireworks isn’t worth the time or trouble and city employees cleaning up. Back in the day their used to be a sign at Veterans park stating the city’s goal and who donated and we had some damn good fireworks. I’m talking 45 minutes or longer which is well worth the hassle. Did any local Fb bushiness pitch in? If so how much and which business? Anyway Flagler live could found out and let the taxpayers know? Did Tourtagas pitch in? Did Martins pitch in? Did Finn’s pitch in? Did any local business pitch in? Did 7-11 pitch in? If you didn’t contribute stop blaming the city taxpayers.