UPDATE: Holiday parade canceled due to forecasted weather
UPDATE (July 3, 2025):
The city of Sanibel reported that it has been notified by the Friends of Don, organizers of the 32nd Annual Independence Day Parade, that the parade on July 4 is canceled due to forecasted inclement weather.
For questions, contact Trish Phillips at 239-246-2981.
The city continued that all other planned Fourth of July events on Sanibel will continue as scheduled. For updates, continue to monitor the city’s website at https://mysanibel.com/ and subscribe to the city’s email blasts at https://mysanibel.com/408/Sign-Up-For-City-Announcements.
For the updated list of events and celebrations on the island, visit https://www.mysanibel.com/DocumentCenter/View/1271/Star-Spangled-Sanibel.
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ORIGINAL (June 30, 2025):
Parade, fireworks and more planned for holiday
The islands have a variety of activities scheduled to celebrate the Fourth of July, including a pancake breakfast, parade, two community celebrations, an in-vehicle scavenger hunt and fireworks display.
The day will start with the 4th of July Annual Pancake Breakfast at the Sanibel Community Church, followed by the 32nd Annual Independence Day Parade on Periwinkle Way. Next, there will be the 4th of July Star Spangled Celebration at Jerry’s Foods and the Red, White & 50+ Years Bright Community Celebration at the Sanibel Recreation Center. The 45th annual 4th of July Road Rally will follow at the Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market, with a city of Sanibel fireworks show wrapping up the festivities.
4TH OF JULY ANNUAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST
The Sanibel Community Church will host its 4th of July Annual Pancake Breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m.
Taking place in Fellowship Hall, it will feature all-you-can-eat pancakes and sausage with all of the fixings. The first breakfast since Hurricane Ian in 2022, the event is free, with donations accepted.
Afterward, attendees are invited to stay and watch the parade.
There will be free parking, plus refreshments.
The public is invited to come out.
For more information, visit www.sanibelchurch.com or call the church at 239-472-2684.
The Sanibel Community Church is at 1740 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
32ND ANNUAL INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE
The 32nd Annual Independence Day Parade will kick off at 9:30 a.m. on Sanibel.
“It’s something to draw the community together and, after the past couple of years, kind of provide a happy gathering,” Trish Phillips, a member of the Friends of Don — the volunteer group that organizes the event — said.
This year’s theme is a celebration of the city’s 50th anniversary.
The parade route will begin on Island Inn Road, continue north on Tarpon Bay Road to Periwinkle Way, then travel east to Casa Ybel Road. Roads along the route will close at 9 a.m., so people should plan their travel accordingly. They will reopen at the end of the parade, which will be about 11 a.m.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure a spot.
“We recommend that they bring a beach chair or lawn chair, sunscreen, bug spray and, definitely, some water to keep hydrated,” she said.
The parade floats have been known to toss out surprises.
“Bring a bag for the souvenirs that they may be collecting,” Phillips said.
“All sorts of goodies, necklaces, candy,” she added. “Those can be for kids and adults.”
This year’s categories include: Best Float — Commercial, Best Float — Not-For-Profit, Most Patriotic, Best Original Design and Best Music. The winner in each category typically will receive a plaque.
Parking will be available at the Periwinkle Place Shops, Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ, Sanibel Community Church, Tahitian Gardens Shops, The Village Shops and Winds plaza.
The public is invited to come out.
“This is an island-style type parade, so it’s unique in its own right,” Phillips said. “And everyone seems to have fun, whether they’re watching the parade or whether they’re participating it in.”
Designed by city Recreation Services Supervisor Gabby Cooper Angeles, the 2025 parade shirt can be purchased for $10 from Bank of the Islands, at 1699 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Any unsold shirts will be available to buy before the parade along the route. The proceeds will help to fund next year’s parade.
For more information, contact Phillips at 239-246-2981.
4TH OF JULY STAR SPANGLED CELEBRATION
Jerry’s Foods will host its 4th of July Star Spangled Celebration from 10 a.m to 2 p.m.
“We do it in the spirit of community and supporting our community and to celebrate our nation’s birthday,” General Manager Winningham said. “But also, our theme is always be a great neighbor.”
Free and open to the public, it will feature face painting and wine tastings.
“We’re going to be doing some food demoing,” he said.
“We’re also going to be doing some sampling,” Winningham added.
Area Boy Scout Troops will serve hot dogs and refreshments for donations.
The public is invited to come out.
“Come out, enjoy the afternoon and the camaraderie, and meet your neighbor,” he said.
For more information, contact the store at 239-472-9300.
Jerry’s Foods is at 1700 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
RED, WHITE & 50+ YEARS BRIGHT COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
The city of Sanibel’s 50th Anniversary Workgroup and the Sanibel Recreation Center will present the Red, White & 50+ Years Bright Community Celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center.
“It’s a great place for the community to gather,” Recreation Department Director Andrea Miller.
The event is free and open to the public.
Both the water features pool and lap pool will be open for cooling off and swimming.
Also, the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District will be on hand.
“We always have a firefighter versus kids water ballon fight,” she said.
“This year, we’re breaking it into two age groups,” Miller added.
Grades K-3 will get their shot at 12:30 p.m., and grades 4-8 will have their chance at 12:45 p.m.
The gymnasium will offer activities, plus air conditioning.
“We will have three different inflatables in there,” she said, citing an obstacle course and a bounce house as two of them. “We also set up games, like cornhole. We will have free face painting.”
In addition, Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church is sponsoring a craft room.
“There’ll be crafts for families to participate in if they choose to,” Miller said.
Attendees can enjoy complimentary hot dogs, chips and snacks, bottled water, and ice cream.
This year’s event sponsors are Bailey’s, Big D’s BBQ, Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream and Sanibel Captiva Community Bank.
The public is invited to come out.
“It’s another opportunity for family, friends and the community to gather together and enjoy the time off on the holiday,” she said.
For more information, contact the center at 239-472-0345.
The Sanibel Recreation Center is at 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.
45TH ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY ROAD RALLY
The 45th annual 4th of July Road Rally will kick off at noon in the parking lot of Timbers.
“It serves as a fundraiser for the community,” Randy Carson, president of the Friends of Randy of Sanibel (FOROS) — the nonprofit that organizes the event — said.
This year’s proceeds will benefit the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW). A donation will also be made to Community Housing & Resources’ families to assist with back-to-school supplies.
The rally is an in-vehicle, visual scavenger hunt for answers to questions. Participants are provided with instructions, questions and driving directions and they must find the clues along the way.
This year’s theme is “Celebrating Sanibel — 50 Years In Car Grills.”
Entry is open to 50 vehicles, also known as teams.
“We still have openings,” he said on June 27. “We have like 15.”
Each team will be given a start time and must be at the starting line at least 20 minutes before that. When the rally kicks off, the first vehicle will go. The rest will then follow in two-minute increments.
It is not a speed race; it is scored on correct answers, time and miles.
Teams should be safe and obey all traffic laws and speed limits.
The rally will finish at Timbers, where an afterparty will take place for participants.
Prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third place teams.
First place will win a three-day, two-night stay at the ‘Tweens Waters Inn & Marina from Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts; second will take home a half-day boat charter with Whitney’s Bait and Tackle; and third place will win two baskets of summer bug repellent from Forever Green Ace Hardware.
In addition, one team will be named the Best Decorated Vehicle.
“There’ll also be a prize for them,” Carson said.
Raffle tickets will also be available for $5 each or five for $20 for the chance to win a catered dinner for six from Chef Jeramie Campana, with the Paper Fig Kitchen.
The entry fee is $50 per team.
If openings are still available day of, registrations will take place before the start.
The public is invited to sign up.
“Come and have a good time,” he said.
To register or for more information, contact Carson at 239-699-8739 or rcarsonsan@gmail.com or Allen Dunham at 239-699-9474 or cougar3_33@yahoo.com.
Registration forms are also available at Timbers and The Sanibel Grill.
The Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market is at 703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel.
FIREWORKS DISPLAY
The city of Sanibel’s fireworks will launch at 9 p.m. from the north end terminus of Bailey Road.
The site will not be open to the public, and the show is subject to weather conditions.
The best viewing will be from the Causeway Islands and bayside of Sanibel.
No roadside or illegal parking will be permitted on Sanibel.
The city noted that there are more than 100 least tern nests of the causeway, which are marked by orange, staked off areas. The public is asked to avoid those portions of the beach at all times.
In addition, the public is reminded that no other fireworks are permitted within the city limits. An ordinance, which is in effect year-round, prohibits the possession of or firing off of fireworks.
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IF YOU GO
What
4th of July Annual Pancake Breakfast
When
July 4 from 7 to 9 a.m.
Where
Sanibel Community Church, 1740 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
IF YOU GO
What
32nd Annual Independence Day Parade
When
July 4 starting at 9:30 a.m.
Where
Island Inn Road to Tarpon Bay Road to Periwinkle Way to Casa Ybel Road on Sanibel
IF YOU GO
What
4th of July Star Spangled Celebration
When
July 4 from 10 a.m to 2 p.m.
Where
Jerry’s Foods, 1700 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
IF YOU GO
What
Red, White & 50+ Years Bright Community Celebration
When
July 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where
Sanibel Recreation Center, 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel
IF YOU GO
What
45th annual 4th of July Road Rally
When
July 4 starting at noon
Where
Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market, 703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email