Marco Island Restaurants

You can expect more bang for your buck during this year's Fourth of July celebration on Marco Island.

Thousands are expected to pack the beach on Monday, July 4, as $40,000 worth of bombs bursting in air will light the sky just off the coast of Residents Beach. The festivities are set for around 9:15 p.m.

"Every year we want to make it a little bigger, a little better," City Clerk Laura Litzan said.

"They'll pretty much be the same as last year," Litzan said. "People like big fireworks. Lots of them. They want beach parties. The city's making sure they've got the fireworks."

Area businesses, restaurants, hotels and other donors will foot about half the cost. The city will shoulder the remainder.

"Last year we didn't quite meet the goal of half way, but this year we'll exceed it," Litzan said. "We're pretty pleased that we're covering half the cost from the private sector.

Among the largest donors is the Marco Island chapter of the Florida Restaurant Association. For the second consecutive year, the restaurant association chapter is selling $25 tax-deductible tickets in order to donate about $15,000 to the cause. Buyers will have a chance at one of several handsome prizes including a dinner cruise for 10, and $50 gift certificates to 10 Marco Island Restaurant Association member restaurants.

Fund-raiser tickets may be purchased by visiting online at marcoislandrestaurants.org; by calling 641-4540; or visiting a Marco Island Restaurant Association restaurant. Tickets are available until the raffle drawing on Monday, July 4.

"We're especially thankful for the restaurant association being the driving force," Litzan said. "I'd encourage people to get those raffle tickets because the prizes are just magnificent. That's an incredible thing that they're doing."

In the event of rain, Litzan said the show will be held at the same time on July 5.

Thousands of Marco Island Civic Association and Residents Beach members are expected to take part in the festivities on Residents Beach.

Live and recorded music are scheduled for the entire day. A disc jockey will spin tunes from noon until 6 p.m. A local middle school band, Lost Cause, will play from 1 to 2 p.m. After that, Rod Stewart look-a-like George Orr will belt the raspy rocker's tunes from 6 to 9 p.m.

Hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, beer and other refreshments will be sold throughout the day.

"We hope that the weather holds up, that rain holds off and our event is better than last year's," MICA Executive Director Ruth McCann said. "It gets better every year. I think it'll be fun."

As daylight falls, pedestrian and vehicular traffic will head to the beach for the show, transforming Collier Boulevard into peak season form. Navigating around the west side of the island will be especially difficult this year, given the construction along South Collier Boulevard.

There will be no road closures, so when drivers leave the beach, they will have to decide which is the best route to get home.

— Drivers who exit through the north entrance will either be directed north to Collier or east along San Marco Road.

— Drivers using the south exit will turn right onto Collier and may head west along Winterberry Drive. Spruce and Maple avenues will remain open so drivers may reach Landmark Street and head north to San Marco Road.

Marco Island Police Lt. Dave Baer said additional officers will patrol the streets, beach and waterways to ensure safety and to make sure traffic flows as smoothly as possible.

"It's always a busy time, but especially around this time of year. (Drivers should) come early, be patient and plan on a delay a little more than the usual," Baer said

He advised people to park at a friend's home and walk to the beach, if possible.

Police are also concerned about pedestrian traffic near beach resorts and Residents Beach. Baer said drivers along Collier should use extra caution and pay special attention to pedestrians in the area. Police also will be on alert for impaired drivers on the roads and waterways.

"If everyone drives patiently and defensively, we'll reduce accidents," Baer said. "We'll be in heightened awareness for drinking operators of vehicles and vessels."

Petty thieves around the area circle Independence Day as a prime opportunity to capitalize on unsecured cars and homes, according to police.

"This is the time bad guys tend to prey on people who come to beach and leave valuables in their cars," Baer said. "Roll up windows and lock cars. That'll cut down on a lot of thefts we have.

"We're going to plan for the worst but hope for the best."

Beautiful day for a parade

Marco Island's neighbor to the east, Everglades City, will celebrate their own brand of patriotic fun the day before the Fourth. Each year, hundreds attend the celebration.

On Sunday, July 3, opening ceremonies will begin at the town's City Hall at 3 p.m. An indiscriminate parade of marching bands and rambling floats will then stream through E-City's streets. Fourth of July committee member Elaine Middelsteadt said everyone is invited to either march or ride on a float.

At 4 p.m., parachuters will tumble from the sky as the parade ambles through town. All the while there will be kids' games, bounce houses and water slides.

A barbecue dinner will be held later at the Community Center. Ten-dollar tickets include dinner and beverages.

"It's all fun, small town stuff," Middelsteadt said. "It's family fun."

Fireworks will light up the sky at 9 p.m.

"You never know what's going to actually happen," Middelsteadt said. "It's crazy, but every year we pull it off."For more information on the Everglades City celebration, call Middelsteadt at 695-2695.