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Tarpon's Fourth of July Patriotic Party to return

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By Mark  Schantz | The Suncoast News

Published: May 23, 2009

TARPON SPRINGS - For a second year, Tarpon Springs faces the prospect of not having fireworks on Independence Day.

Last year, the owners of the Mongolian Grill in Oldsmar, who live here, came forward at the 11th hour and funded the city's Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza after the city announced it could not afford the pyrotechnics. This year the city has even less in discretionary funds and would not be able to buy fireworks.

A 2009 fireworks show faces another obstacle. The beach at Pinellas County's Fred Howard Park is not available as a fireworks launching pad. The county is replacing the bridges on the causeway leading to the beach.

Neither Whitcomb Bayou nor the city-owned Tarpon Springs Golf Club, on Alt. 19 across from Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital, is now considered safe places from which to set off fireworks.

As for setting off fireworks from a barge in the gulf, as the nearby community of Ozona did last year, that would be too expensive, according to City Manager Mark LeCouris.

The good news is the city is again planning to hold a Patriotic Party to mark the nation's birth in Craig Park. Last year's inaugural party proved a "huge success," said Margie Prichard, city recreation supervisor.

More than 1,000 people attended the family-oriented Patriotic Party and "this year it's going to be even bigger and better," Pritchard said.

The patriotic family fun day will be held from 10 a.m. until noon on Independence Day, which this year falls on a Saturday. Festivities will include free hot dogs, entertainment, outrigger trips, games and contests.

The recreation division has put out a call for local talent wanting to perform from 10 a.m. until noon in an open-mike morning warm-up for the Bayou Boys band, which is scheduled to perform from noon until 2 p.m.

Traditional Fourth of July picnic contests, such as hot dog eating and watermelon seed spitting for distance, will likely be popular once again, she said.

People can dress in their best patriotic red, white and blue, don Uncle Sam outfits or other patriotic-theme clothing for another contest, Pritchard said.

People can stay in the park and continue the picnic after the event ends at 2 p.m., Prichard said. That time was just chosen because it starts to get a bit warm as the day goes on.

Any business, civic group or individuals interested in helping sponsor the city Independence Day event or willing to fund fireworks shot from a barge can call Prichard at 727-942-5628.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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