America turns 250 this weekend, and Southwest Florida is celebrating in a big way. From parades and fireworks to symphony performances and free garden mornings, here is what is happening across Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, and Marco Island.

City of Naples Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks

Saturday, July 4 | Parade 9 a.m., Fireworks 9 p.m. | Fifth Avenue South and Naples Beach

Naples does the Fourth right. The parade starts at Third Street South and Fifth Avenue South, heads east on Fifth, and finishes in front of City Hall. That night, fireworks launch from barges along the Gulf starting at 9 p.m., lighting up the coastline for a half hour of summer magic. Grab a spot on the beach early. 239-692-8436 or fifthavenuesouth.com.

Bonita Springs Independence Day Parade and Star-Spangled Bonita

Saturday, July 4 | Parade 9 a.m. | Old 41, Bonita Springs

Star-Spangled Bonita | 6 p.m. | Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St., Bonita Springs | Free

Bonita Springs celebrates America's 250th with a morning parade down Old 41, then a free community festival at Riverside Park that evening. Expect live music, food vendors, and a fireworks, drone, and laser show to close out the night. 239-949-6262 or cityofbonitasprings.org.

Estero's Annual Fourth of July Celebration

Saturday, July 4 | 9 a.m. | Estero Historical Society Cottage Museum, 9285 Corkscrew Palms Blvd., Estero

A hometown celebration with a reading of the Declaration of Independence, watermelon, a fire truck display, and family-friendly activities. Simple, patriotic, and easy to bring the kids to. 239-272-1911 or esterohistoricalsociety.com.

Fourth of July in the Garden

Saturday, July 4 | 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Naples Botanical Garden, 4820 Bayshore Drive, Naples | Free

Free admission all morning for a peaceful, shaded start to the holiday before the parades and fireworks take over. 239-643-7275 or naplesgarden.org.

America at 250: A Symphonic Celebration

Friday, July 3 | 7:30 p.m. | Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Fort Myers | Tickets from $56

Gulf Coast Symphony marks the nation's semiquincentennial with a program blending Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, and John Williams alongside Broadway and American classics. A beautiful way to kick off the holiday weekend.

GCR Firecracker 5K

Saturday, July 4 | 7 a.m. | Lake Park, Naples

A fun run/walk through Lake Park with T-shirts, finisher medals, and age group awards, benefiting the Gulf Coast Runners Youth Development Fund. Registration is $35. Parking at Fleischmann Park, 1600 Fleischmann Blvd., Naples. gcrunner.org.

Rooftop Celebrations in Bonita Springs

Rooftop at Riverside, 27333 Old 41 Rd., Bonita Springs

Start the day with Red, White & Mimosas at 8 a.m., a parade-viewing brunch with bottomless mimosas and VIP seating. Come back that evening for Freedom & Fireworks at 5 p.m., with a DJ, food, drinks, and fireworks views over Bonita Springs. Tickets start at $20 for each event. eatdrinkparadise.com.

Draw the World at Marco Island Center for the Arts

On view through July 28 | Marco Island Center for the Arts, 1010 Winterberry Dr., Marco Island

Four local artists, Hope Hanley, Wendy Wagner, Sir Roland Richardson, and Beth Schroeder, share the gallery with a special showcase by Adriana Rangel-Houser. An opening reception is set for Tuesday, July 14, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. A nice reason to spend an afternoon in downtown Marco. marcoislandart.org.

Sunday, July 5

Ease back into the week with the Supergirl Boba Event at Banh Mi & Tea in Miromar Outlets, Estero, complete with costumes and a raffle. Or start the morning at the Pine Ridge Road Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., for fresh produce and local goods at the corner of Pine Ridge and Livingston. If you want to slow down further, a New Moon Preparation yoga workshop at Practice Yoga Studio begins at 2:15 p.m. with yin yoga, aromatherapy, and crystal singing bowls.

A Note from Diane

I put this list together every week because I believe that knowing what is happening here matters. Weekends like this one, parades, fireworks, community pride, are exactly what people picture when they dream about life in Southwest Florida. This is that dream, in real time.

If you are curious about what it is like to live here full time, or just want to talk about the market, I am always happy to help.

Call or text me anytime: 303-877-3582

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Diane Harris Naples, Florida

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