Punta Gorda Celebrates the 4th of July -- Happenings on the Harbor

"If you’re ready for some freedom
Come the Fourth of July
Charlotte Harbor to Punta Gorda
We’re swimming on the tide." (Lyric by Michael Hayman)

Punta Gorda has always celebrated the 4th in a big way -- the gigantic harbor has attracted firework displays, in the past there were parades, and then there is the Freedom Swim where a bunch of people jump into the Peace River and swim to the opposite shore, and, of course, celebrations at Fishville and more recently the Laishley Park 4th of July event. Whichever way you choose to celebrate this year's annual salute to our freedom, have a happy and safe Fourth. Here are some 4th of July happenings around our harbor


Sunday, July 3

Farmer's Market

The Punta Gorda Historical Society will celebrate Independence Day at the  Sunday Farmers Market, open from 8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. From 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.,  Big John Lloyd and his country line dancing horse, Luther will perform. Paul Cottrell will be playing music. Horse and pony rides will be available, and children under 10 can ride for free. The three historical buildings in the park will be open for docent-guided tours.
For more information, call 941-639-1887.

Dean's South of the Border Fundraiser for Voices for Kids

Dean's will be raising funds for the children in Foster Care in Charlotte County. They will be collecting new toys, clothing, backpacks, school supplies & personal grooming items all weekend. Dean will be the Celebrity Bartender on July 3rd at 9pm donating all his tips to the fundraiser.

Punta Gorda Elk's Lodge (members and guests)

Independence Day Picnic at the Elks 2-6 p.m.


July 3-4

Laishley Park


At Laishley Park, the Charlotte Sun  and Smugglers will present t the 4th Fest 2011 event July 3 The Retta and 4 family . The two-day event  will run from 10 a.m. to 10 . p.m.  and feature music, vendors, food, waterslides of all sizes, Paul Bunyan Lumberjack shows. On July 4, there will be a Battle of the Bands competition. Fireworks on the 4th.  Admission $3 for adusts, children 12 and under free.  More information 941-637-5953.

Monday, July 4

Annual Freedom Swim

The Annual  Freedom Swim event starts at 9 a.m. on July 4 from the public beach at the west side of the north end of the southbound U.S. 41 bridge, Charlotte Harbor.  Participants can reach the beach from the shoreline under the bridge or from the west side of the U.S. 41 right of way walk.
The swim finishes  at Harpoon Harry’s at Fishermen's Village. Although there will be vessels escorting the swimmers across the river, each swimmer is responsible for their own safety and their own support team. Swim buddies are recommended.

Fishermen's Village Fourth of July 

Fishermen’s Village's Celebration starts at 9 a.m. July 4.  Freedom swimmers will arrive at Harpoon Harry's from the swim starting at 9 a.m. Reconnections Band will perform at Center Stage from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Soul Machine and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. by Soul Machine.

At Harpoon Harry's in the Village, the Boogiemen blast their magic sounds into the red, white and blue night skies, performing from 6 p.m.

Military Heritage Museum Fundraiser at Punta Gorda Parking Garage


Hor d'oeuvres, cash bar under the stars with music by the Golden Hippo while watching the Fireworks. Tickets: $15, $25 for a couple.

Sheraton Tiki Bar -- History Society Fund Raiser


From noon till 10pm, members of the Punta Gorda Historical Society will be pouring beer from the Bud Beer wagon at the Tiki Bar. All beer sales from the beer wagon will go towards moving the Quednau/Hindman House to the History Park, to house the Youth Museum.

Annual Independence Night Charlotte Symphony Concert at the Event Center

The annual Charlotte Symphony “Symphonic Fireworks” concert  begins at 6pm at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center. This will be the start of Maestro Wada’s third season as conductor of the orchestra and the featured soloist will be local favorite, and Lee County resident, Al Holland. The program will feature traditional Independence Day favorites as well as selections of Holland’s favorite Platters songs. Tickets are $35. 

A food buffet will be available of hamburgers and hot dogs including side dishes and water or soda. A full bar will also be available. The concert is held indoors so there will be no cancellation due to weather.

Fireworks start at 9 p.m. from Laishley Marina -- they can be viewed best anywhere along the harbor and Peace River -- from Fishermen's Village, Laishley Park, Gilchrist, the Elks Lodge.    

Fourth of July Starts with a Splash In Punta Gorda

As people lined up on both shores of the Peace River in Punta Gorda this Fourth of July, the river came alive with swimmers, boats, paddlers, kayaks, surf boats, rafts and just about anything that would float and help get the determined crossers from Charlotte Harbor to Fishermen's Village  for the 19th Annual Freedom Swim.

Here's a slideshow of some of the highlights:

Watching Punta Gorda Fireworks and more this Fourth of July Weekend

Weekend Highlights: Lots going on this Fourth of July weekend in Punta Gorda. Our town, which has traditionally celebrated the fourth with much hoopla, is noted for spectacular fireworks put on by the Punta Gorda Kiwanis for many years and more recently presented by Main Street Punta Gorda and Smuggler's Enterprises. This year's plans at Laishley Park look to be even more spectacular.  See http://www.puntagordafireworks.com/ for a complete run down of 2009 festivities including the full-day star-spangled 4th Fest at Laishley Park.  Fishermen's Village is also set to celebrate the Fourth with a full-day of events and activities for kids and kids at heart. See below for details at the Village and other local daytime and after-dark venues for watching the skies and partying this Fourth of July.

Thursday, July 2, After Dark

At Fishermen's Village: At center court, Muttini Mingle Monthly event to relax with your pooch, Chris MacAurthur, nationally known country singer/songwriter performs. Leached dogs only. 5:30-8 PM.

At Biehl's Slip Not, 1601 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda Two Can Jam (You Tube Video) at 7 PM.

At Gilchrist Park, Punta Gorda, Guitar Army, 6-10 PM. Join local musicians for jamin'.
At the Perfect Caper, Live Jazz. 7-10 PM

Friday, July 3, After Dark

At Biehl's Slip Not, 1601 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, The Crashers,(http://www.thecrashersband.net/ perform at 8 PM

At Fishermen's Village: At center court, The Yard Dogs, (more on the Yard Dogs) a favorite local band performs uplifting music which blends Zydeco, blues, blue grass, Cajun, country, folk and rock what they call "Florida Swamp Music" 5-9 pm, Center Stage. Free

At the Perfect Caper, Live Jazz. 7-10 PM

Saturday, July 4th, Daytime

At Fishermen's Village:

Day long festivities start at noon and include: games and children’s craft activities including Fish Cove Adventure Golf Putt Putt, Charlotte Stone Crabs Skeeball, Sand Dollar Decorating, Splat the Rat, Bowling Game, Coloring contest, Pick a Breathing Puppy Prize Raffle, Duck Pond Game, Toilet Bowl Toss, Fish Game, Book Mark Decorating and making USA Beaded Necklaces, and a Dunk Tank.

Freedom Swim starts at Charlotte Harbor and ends at Harpoon Harry's at the Village. The swim starts at 11 a.m, expect the first swimmers will arrive at the Village noonish.

Reconnections Band performs 12 Noon to 3, center stage.

At Laishley Park: Fun-filled day of games and events including key-lime pie eating contest, patriotic baby contest, music, beer, food and much more. For a complete rundown on 4th of July Fest (see http://www.puntagordafireworks.com/.

At Harpoon Harry's Slick Willy performs 12-4 PM. Most patriotic dog contest at 1 PM. Mr. and Mrs. Smugglers contents at 2 PM, Crazy Hat contents at 3 PM.

Saturday, July 4th, After Dark

At Charlotte Harbor Event Center: A picnic-style concert of patriotic, classical and contemporary favorites being performed by the Charlotte Symphony with conductor, T. Francis Wada, making his debut appearance. Tenor Joe Spinella of Sarasota, featured soloist. Doors at the Event Center (Information & Directions) will open at 5:30 p.m. Dress is Florida casual. Picnic supper foods, along with beer, wine, soda and mixed drinks, will be available for purchase. Tickets $20. Concert ends as fireworks commence and can be viewed from right outside the event center.

At Laishley Park Entertainment from the Boogiemen, playing their blend of rock and soul, followed by spectacular fireworks. 

At Fishermen's Village: "Sounds of the Virgin Islands Band" performs 5-9 PM center stage, then catch the fireworks from the pier or at one of the restaurants on the pier.

At Harpoon Harry's:  The party continues with Slick Willy performing from 8 PM.  Dance the night away and enjoy the fireworks.  

At Benedettos: Watch the sky light up while Jack Mosley Singer/Songwriter performs tropical favorite at the Tiki Bar 8 'til midnight.

At the Punta Gorda Elks: Members and their guests can enjoy a barbeque starting at 4 PM, watch the fireworks from the banks of the Peace River or better still from the dock and enjoy music by Montage.

At Biehl's Slip Not, 1601 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, You may be able to see some fireworks most likely not, but Tight Squeeze takes the stage at 8 PM.

Let's all Jump in the Peace River -- Hey it's Punta Gorda and it's the Fourth of July

Hey, it's the 4th of July, let's all jump in the Peace River, or not. Well, that is what many Charlotte County folks and others, who come from close and afar to join them, do on the Fourth of July and have been doing for almost 20 years.

Michael Haymans, a Punta Gorda attorney, and friends started this Annual quirky event, the "Freedom Swim", in 1991 and participants have been bobbing, floating, paddling, and doing what it takes to stay a float on the 4th in the Peace River ever since. Haymans, Frank Desquin and Sandy MacGibbon are credited with the notion of swimming the river based on the rite of passage for local youth. Desquin's father, Victor, is said to have sparked the idea by descriptions of swimming the river in the 40s. Now in it's 19th year, Haymans has even written a song about it, which he recently crooned on a Guitar Army Thursday at Gilchrist Park. (Lyrics can be found at www.tarponalumni.com/PoetryMusic/FreedomSwim.htm.)


The swim, always loosely organized, has been described by its founder as a "happening." Last year, it was estimated that almost 500 braved the waters, about 200 swimming, some floating, some paddling, many clinking to noodles or rafts carrying signs. Not intended as a contest of who makes their way across the river from Charlotte Harbor to Fishermen's Village (approximately 1.5 miles ) first, but more a leisurely fun swim or float to celebrate the day. Participants don red, white and blue suits, or not, wear patriotic hats

While the annual jump into the river can be a fun event, many have voiced concerns about safety. Even though boats from local public safety agencies and privately owned chase boats cross the river with the medley of aquatic adventurers carrying water and ready to drag fatigued swimmers from the waterway, it's still swim or float at your own risk. Reports from local police agencies indicate that over 100 swimmers had to be pulled from the river last year. Organizers do strongly recommend making the crossing with a buddy, as well as a chase boat noting also that safety is the responsibility of each swimmer. Swimmers should also slab on the sunscreen, and keep drinking water to avoid dehydration.

This year's 19th "Freedom Swim" is set to start at 11 a.m at the beach near Gilchrist Bridge in Charlotte Harbor (north end of the southbound U.S. 41 bridge, call 941-661-5622 for more information). I'm afraid I chose not to dive in, I'll be either at Harry's or somewhere near shore cheering more valiant souls on.

But to quote a verse from Mr. Hayman's song:

"If you’re ready for some freedom
Come the Fourth of July
Charlotte Harbor to Punta Gorda
We’re swimming on the tide."