Like a line from the national anthem, “rockets red glare” light up the sky over the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument and all of downtown St. Augustine during July 4th’s Fireworks Over The Matanzas (photo by Mike Cubbedge).

Fireworks Over The Matanzas

St. Augustine’s Great July 4th Tradition

6:00pm - The All Star Orchestra in the Plaza
8:30pm - Traffic detours begin

(For traffic details, Click Here)

9:30pm - Fireworks!

Holidays are built around traditions and few holidays have more great family traditions than the Fourth of July: great food, outdoor band concerts, a day with friends and family, and of course, fireworks. They all come together in a grand celebration of Independence Day and there’s no better place to celebrate Independence Day than in the Nation’s Oldest City.


First, there’s music

Starting at 6:00pm one of the region’s most popular big bands, the All Star Orchestra, returns to the Plaza de la Constitución for a two hour show filled with big band and swing favorites along with all the traditional patriotic favorites.

The All Star Orchestra’s performance from the Plaza’s Gazebo runs from 6:00pm until 8:00pm. The concert is free and those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the Plaza de la Constitución.

Then there’s fireworks!

Fireworks over the Matanzas, the highlight of July 4th in St. Augustine, has become synonymous with celebrating Independence Day in the Nation’s Oldest City. The spectacular aerial display of pyrotechnics high over Matanzas Bay begins at 9:30pm.

The 20-minute display has been tightly choreographed to a stirring soundtrack of great popular music delivered over an extensive sound system transforming the entire Bayfront between the Castillo de San Marcos and the Temporary Bridge of Lions into a theatre of sight and sound.

Local radio stations Sunny 94.1/WSOS-FM and WFOY/1240-AM will provide a simulcast of the soundtrack so those viewing the display from any location will be able to fully experience Fireworks Over The Matanzas.

Lounge chairs and blankets fill the Plaza de la Constitucion for the concert preceding the fireworks display. The All Star Orchestra returns to the Plaza this year starting at 6:00pm for great big band and swing music.

 

Parking

St. Augustine’s annual Fireworks Over The Matanzas draws more people--and cars--into the downtown area than any other single event.

A growing trend in recent years has been the use of bicycles by those who live close to downtown or carpooling with friends to minimize the number of cars in need of a place to park.

The Historic Downtown Parking Facility (click here for a map) can accommodate 1,200 vehicles and for July 4th will be charging a flat $5.00 for all day instead of the usual hourly rate.

Public parking in city owned parking lots will be free on July 4th with the largest concentration of available parking located on Granada Street (click here for a map).

 

Enjoy downtown after the show

Over the years the St. Augustine Police Department has refined a traffic plan that moves vehicles safely and as quickly as possible out of the downtown area following the fireworks. This plan includes using King Street’s turning lane as a drive lane exiting downtown. Also in an effort to move vehicles out of the Historic Downtown Parking Facility all of West Castillo Dr. will be westbound to Ponce de Leon Blvd. 

A growing number of people are choosing to remain downtown after the fireworks for a bite to eat or take in some of the shops that have extended hours for the holiday. Given the choice between spending time strolling downtown with friends and family or sitting in traffic wasting gas, more and more are taking their time.

Rerouting of traffic will begin at 8:30pm and will include closing of the Temporary Bridge of Lions, Avenida Menendez and South Castillo Drive to all vehicular traffic turning the downtown into a pedestrian friendly zone.

Those not wishing to view the fireworks should avoid the downtown area and be aware that following the fireworks outlying routes such as US-1, SR-A1A, SR-312 and SR-207 will experience heavy traffic.

 

Keep it safe and legal

Those attending Fireworks Over The Matanzas should remember two important safety rules that will be strictly enforced:  

  • Alcohol is prohibited on public property, including parks, streets and sidewalks; and
  • Possession of fireworks that explode or leave the ground is illegal. Those found with such fireworks will be subject to citation or arrest and will have prohibited fireworks confiscated. The cost of the citation is $100.00.

Simply put: have a great time with friends and family, but keep it safe and legal.

 

Those who make it all possible

The City of St. Augustine produces Fireworks Over The Matanzas but the grand event would not be possible without a lot of support from the community.

Funding for Fireworks over the Matanzas comes from the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council with additional support from:

The display is a production of Santore and Sons, and the sound system is managed by Webb Electronics of St. Augustine.

For more information on other events in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches, visit www.getaway4florida.com.

 

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