Mayor Jane Castor's Boom by the Bay, an annual event filled with fireworks, concerts, and competitions, is set to return on Thursday, July 4, at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park.
This event, which began in 2019, is a family-friendly, community celebration of Independence Day. This year's Boom by the Bay will include a:
- Pickleball Tournament
- 2pm – 7pm
- Run by the Tampa Pickleball Crew
- $55 per person to enter. Each participant will receive a t-shirt.
- Apple Pie Throwdown
- 4pm – 7pm
- Participating vendors feature their best "apple pie themed" dish.
- Panel of judges will award prizes. Members of the public can purchase tasting tickets on site to sample entries for $2 per tasting or $15 for 10 tastings.
- Free Fireworks Display
- Pyrotechnic show beginning at dusk
- Free Concert
- 4:30pm – 8:30pm
- Musical entertainment featuring Rock the Park acts. Bands include Fil Pates Bluegrass Band, GWAN MASSIVE, and Harber Whynn.
Participants can also enjoy the Family Zone Activations all throughout the day, featuring face painting, bounce houses, sack races, corn hole, and food trucks.
There will be two additional hubs throughout Downtown Tampa with July 4 festivities:
Star Spangled Sparkman at Sparkman Wharf – July 4 from 4 to 9:30 p.m.
- 6th annual event with live entertainment, game zone, roaming performers, and delicious food + drink specials.
- See the Blessing of the Fleet, Boat Parade and Water Ski Show, ending with fireworks.
- Free event with limited space.
- Premier viewing access with cushioned seating and exclusive bar available for purchase here.
Heights District Fourth of July Celebration at Armature Works, presented by Budweiser and benefiting K9s for Warriors – July 4 from 3:00–10:00 p.m.
- Festivities include a large-scale riverfront concert, fireworks display, Friends of the Riverwalk Boat Parade, annual Hot Dog Eating competition, Kids Zone and family-friendly fun all day long.
- Free event open to the public
"Boom by the Bay is an incredible event, because it brings our community together to celebrate our great nation in the heart of our beautiful city," said Mayor Jane Castor. "This year, we’re going big! We’re activating the Tampa Riverwalk with fun and festivities from Sparkman Wharf to Armature Works. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, and we’ll cap it all off with an amazing fireworks display at Julian B. Lane Park that you won’t want to miss."
Accessibility:
A Sensory Relief Zone will be located near the south entrance of the park (Cypress Street) near the pavilions. The accessible Lazarillo App has verbal wayfinding directions for Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park: www.Lazarillo.App.
Parking:
All City of Tampa parking garages will be available, along with street parking and private lot options. Visitors are strongly encouraged to use rideshare and public transit options.
Accessible parking is available at the Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park South Parking Lot (located on W. Cypress St.), and at all public parking facilities.
Beginning July 1, 2023, any individual properly displaying a disabled parking permit or license plate can park for free for up to four hours in a properly marked on-street metered space.
Items Permitted:
- Lawn chairs
- Blankets
- Small coolers
- Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks
Items NOT Permitted:
- Outside alcohol
- Outside fireworks, including sparklers
- Grilling
- Large umbrellas or tents
For security, all items/belongings are subject to search, and should not be left unattended.
Text the word BOOM to 888-777 to receive special notifications about Boom by the Bay. Visit boombythebay.com for more details and updates.