3 Sparklers For 4th Of July In Southwest Florida

It's 4th of July week and packages of sparklers are for sale nearly everywhere. However, there is another kind of sparkler I'm looking forward to this week. These 3 sparklers for 4th of July in Southwest Florida are the kind that come in a glass. Sparkling wine for 4th of July.

As a kid, I loved those handheld sparklers. Trying to wave them around to avoid getting zapped from the sparks. They are kind of mesmerizing. Also mesmerizing to me are the tiny bubbles in a glass of sparkling wine. For Wine Wednesday and your 4th of July celebrations consider popping the cork on some prosecco.

National Prosecco Week was last week by some accounts. Other wine calendars proclaim the same celebratory week to be the second in July. I have not dug into the discrepancy but have decided to embrace both and celebrate in the middle.

Prosecco is a sparkling wine made in Italy from the glera grape. The bubbles are a little softer and the wine is usually a little more fruit forward than Champagne or wines made in the same method of Champagne.

Champagne goes through two fermentation processes to achieve bubbles. The second one occurs in the bottle. Prosecco is fermented in a pressurized tank.

The method is faster and one of the reasons prosecco is typically more affordable in the sparkling category. It is fresh and ready for consumption right away. Good on its own, prosecco is also good for sparkling cocktails too.

It is refreshing and good with those salty snacks you might be serving for the 4th of July. I have a couple of suggestions to offer for Wine Wednesday.

Cheers to the holiday. Enjoy these sparklers in a glass.

Drink Responsibly.

The 4th of July is Thursday. If you are still trying to figure out where to go and what to do in Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, Sanibel, Marco Island and beyond, we've got some ideas. Here are the top 10 4th Of July fireworks and parades in Southwest Florida.

The 4th of July celebration is back on Fort Myers Beach for the first time since Hurricane Ian nearly two years ago. A couple of things to keep in mind if you are headed to the beach to celebrate. First and foremost, pay attention to the bridge closures. You'll need to cross it before 9am due to the parade. It reopens at noon.

It's closed again at night for the fireworks. You can always take the Bonita Beach route to get on and off the beach during that time. Scroll down for more.

Next, parking is still challenging on the beach. Click here to get information on the Fort Myers Beach Trolley and let someone else do the driving.

Finally, if you want to watch the display from the water, there are several businesses offering nighttime cruises. Click here for more information on where to find them.

Even if you don't plan on attending a celebration, scroll down to see where they are. Many of them come with road closures that could change your travel plans.

Remember that if you attend one of these public events to leave your personal fireworks at home. If you are having a celebration at home and need some recipe ideas, click here for some fun and tasty desserts.

This one is a big deal. It is the first time there has been a 4th of July parade and fireworks display on Fort Myers Beach since Hurricane Ian. The parade steps off at 10 a.m down Estero Boulevard from Bay Oaks Recreation Center. It ends in Times Square. Take note that Estero Boulevard will be closed from 9am to noon so make sure you cross early.

Fireworks take place in Times Square. The bridge will once again close from 8:30 pm to around 11pm. Remember parking is still limited on the beach so consider taking the Beach Trolley.  More info here.

Cape Coral’s annual Fourth of July celebration draws big crowds and offers lots of family fun. The streets are closed at the base of the Cape Coral Bridge where the party occurs. Enjoy all kinds of food, drinks and live music. The grand finale is a fireworks display over the Caloosahatchee River. The party runs from 5 to 10 p.m. Free. Reminder that the bridge to Fort Myers closes at 3am on 4th of July. More info here.

It's the city of Bonita Springs 25th Anniversary. To celebrate they have some new additions to their 4th of July fireworks display. Included this year are drones and laser lights too. For some old school fun there will be an ice-cream-eating contest. Entertainment is headlined by the Ben Allen Band.  They take the stage at 6, fireworks begin at dusk. Events are at Riverside Park, and Old 41 will be closed in front of the park. Free. More info here. 

This annual display is set off from a barge in the Gulf of Mexico. Viewing is all along the beach. Be sure to bring chairs and blankets so you can relax and enjoy the half-hour show. The pier is on 12th Avenue South. Parking is limited. There are garages downtown on 5th Ave so wear your walking shoes too. The show begins at 9pm.Free. More info here.

Lehigh Acres celebrates Independence Day with its fourth-annual fireworks show that is expected to draw large crowds again this year. In addition to fireworks enjoy music from live bands, grill tents, food trucks, vendors, inflatables, kids activities and more. 5-9 p.m. Victory Town Center on Taylor Lane Ext. Free.. More info here.

Fireworks here will get launched from the water off of Residents’ Beach, They will be visible up and down the beach and along Collier Boulevard. If you are driving, find public parking at the intersection of Collier Boulevard and Swallow Avenue. Check the meters...it will cost around $8 per car.  9pm. Free. More info here. 

There will not be a fireworks display this year as Hurricane Ian recovery continues. There will, however, be the annual parade. The 2-hour parade steps off at 9 in the morning. It travels along Periwinkle Way from Tarpon Bay Road to Casa Ybel Road. The celebration continues at Sanibel Recreation Center until 2 pm. There will be food, games, a bounce house and more. The pool will be open to cool off.  More info here

This annual parade winds its way through downtown Thursday morning. It steps off at Eleventh and Third Street South, travels down third to Fifth Avenue South and Eighth Street South. Remember that popular Fifth Avenue South will be closed between Third Street and Eighth Street South. More info here. 

This big parade is hosted by the Bonita Springs Professional Firefighters Local 3444. This year's theme is "America the Beautiful". The two hour parade steps off at 9am and on Old 41 and travels from Rosemary Drive to Kentucky Street with festivities following in Riverside Park.  Free. Remember no coolers or pets in the park.  More info here 

The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels are celebrating for three days beginning on Thursday with fireworks after the game behind right field. It's the biggest show of the year and in organizers say in the history of  Hammond Stadium.  There are food and drink specials and all kinds of family fun on the 4th.

More fireworks are Friday night and there is a pregame happy hour. Saturday, the first 500 fans through the gates get red, white and blue Mighty Mussels hats. Players will be wearing custom patriotic jerseys that will be auctioned after the game to support Keep Lee County Beautiful. The July 6 game is also Bark in the Park, a special day when pooches are allowed inside Hammond Stadium. They play the Bradenton Marauders during this series. More info here.