05/19/2026
🇺🇸 Celebrate America 250 and Venice’s Centennial with July 4 Parade, Picnic & Fireworks! As the nation marks America’s 250th anniversary and the City of Venice celebrates its Centennial year, the community is invited to a full day of patriotic festivities on July 4, featuring a morning parade, community picnic, and evening fireworks display. 🇺🇸
🤩Parade Returns to Downtown
In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, the City of Venice will host a special daytime Independence Day parade as part of its Centennial celebration. The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of W. Venice Avenue and Ave des Parques, traveling east along W. Venice Avenue, through historic downtown Venice, turning south onto Nassau Street, and concluding near W. Blalock Park along Pensacola Road. Spectators are encouraged to line the westbound lane of W. Venice Avenue, both sides of Nassau Street, and areas surrounding W. Blalock Park.
🗽Parade Participation Information
To preserve the hometown feel of this special Centennial and Independence Day celebration, parade participation will be limited to City of Venice residents, businesses, nonprofits, and Venice MainStreet, Inc. partners. Space is limited, and participation will be capped to maintain a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
➡️Apply to participate: https://forms.office.com/r/6dha57dmYC
Applications are now open and will close on Monday, June 1, or earlier if capacity is reached.
🍉Community Picnic to Follow
Following the parade, the celebration continues at 11 a.m. with a community picnic at the Venice Community Center, hosted in partnership with Venice MainStreet. Activities will take place indoors, outdoors, and at W. Blalock Park, featuring hot dogs, music and dancing, face painting, a watermelon eating contest, and additional family-friendly activities.
👋 Volunteers
This year’s event is truly a grassroots community effort, and many of the family-friendly activities taking place in the West Blalock Park and the cultural campus lawn, the picnic will rely heavily on volunteers to help lead activities, assist participants, and keep the event running smoothly. From watermelon eating contests and tug-of-war to sand art and children’s games, volunteers will play a major role in helping create a fun and memorable day for the community. Sign up to volunteer: https://forms.office.com/r/es5XG30NEt
🎇Evening Fireworks Display
The celebration concludes with the annual Independence Day fireworks show, firing off at 9 p.m. from the South Jetty by Zambelli Fireworks. The display will be angled over the Gulf toward Venice Beach to maximize viewing opportunities along Venice Beach, Brohard Beach, and the Gulf. Boaters should note the Venice Inlet will be closed during the fireworks and will reopen approximately 30 minutes after the finale. The 2026 fireworks show will be conducted by professional technicians from Zambelli, with support from Venice FL Fire Rescue and the Venice Police Department.
🅿️Parking & Event Information
Public parking is available at the Venice Community Center, Centennial Park, City Hall (after the parade), Graser Park, Venice Beach, Legacy Park, and under the North/KMI and Venice Avenue bridges. The Venice Florida Farmers Market will not be held on July 4.
For more information about July 4th activities, visit venicegov.com/things-to-do/july-4th-parade-picnic
