With America turning 250 this year, the 30A corridor is going to be absolutely packed for the holiday weekend, so if you aren’t lucky enough to be staying within walking distance of the big events, you'll definitely want to map out a game plan to avoid staring at brake lights all night.
The morning kicks off with a dose of beautiful chaos at the Grayton Beach Parade starting at 8:30 AM right by The Red Bar, where there are no real rules or sign-ups for the decorated golf carts and pups, though anyone driving in should probably dump their car at the Grayton Central lot north of 30A. If you have kids in tow, Rosemary Beach and WaterColor are both hosting their classic patriotic bike parades on Saturday morning as well, starting at 8:30 AM and 10:15 AM respectively.
For the evening fireworks, you'll want to pick just one community and commit to it, whether that's heading to Seaside where Sinfonia Gulf Coast hits the Amphitheater stage at 7:00 PM followed by massive Gulf-front fireworks at 8:30 PM, or checking out Alys Beach for live music from Five Star Funk Lounge at 7:00 PM and fireworks launching from a barge out on the water at 9:00 PM. Another fantastic option is the Red, White & Baytowne celebration running from 6:00 PM to 9:15 PM, featuring live music from Saltwater Revival and a spectacular display over the lagoon.
Ultimately, trying to hit multiple shows is a logistical trap, so the best local advice is to grab your beach chairs, get to your destination early, and plan to hang out for a while after the final crescendo to let the initial 30A gridlock clear out. Where is everyone staking out their spots this year, and does anyone have some secret parking hacks or viewing tips to share?
The morning kicks off with a dose of beautiful chaos at the Grayton Beach Parade starting at 8:30 AM right by The Red Bar, where there are no real rules or sign-ups for the decorated golf carts and pups, though anyone driving in should probably dump their car at the Grayton Central lot north of 30A. If you have kids in tow, Rosemary Beach and WaterColor are both hosting their classic patriotic bike parades on Saturday morning as well, starting at 8:30 AM and 10:15 AM respectively.
For the evening fireworks, you'll want to pick just one community and commit to it, whether that's heading to Seaside where Sinfonia Gulf Coast hits the Amphitheater stage at 7:00 PM followed by massive Gulf-front fireworks at 8:30 PM, or checking out Alys Beach for live music from Five Star Funk Lounge at 7:00 PM and fireworks launching from a barge out on the water at 9:00 PM. Another fantastic option is the Red, White & Baytowne celebration running from 6:00 PM to 9:15 PM, featuring live music from Saltwater Revival and a spectacular display over the lagoon.
Ultimately, trying to hit multiple shows is a logistical trap, so the best local advice is to grab your beach chairs, get to your destination early, and plan to hang out for a while after the final crescendo to let the initial 30A gridlock clear out. Where is everyone staking out their spots this year, and does anyone have some secret parking hacks or viewing tips to share?
