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, a vehicle scavenger hunt, concert, and fireworks.
The day will start with the 4th of July Annual Pancake Breakfast at the Sanibel Community Church, followed by the Annual Independence Day Parade on Periwinkle Way. Next, there will be the Star Spangled Celebration at Jerry’s Foods and the Stars, Stripes & Sanibel Community Celebration at the Sanibel Recreation Center. The 46th annual 4th of July Road Rally will follow at the Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market, then the Jazz and Americana Concert at the Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ (SCUCC). The day will end with the city of Sanibel’s July 4th Firework Display.
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 longtime tradition will bring together neighbors, families and visitors for a meal.
The event is free, with donations accepted.
Afterward, attendees are invited to stay and watch the parade.
There will be free parking, plus refreshments.
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.
ANNUAL INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE
The Annual Independence Day Parade will kick off at 9:30 a.m. on Sanibel.
Organized by the Friends of Don volunteer group, the theme for this year is “America 250.”
The route will begin at the corner of Tarpon Bay Road and Periwinkle Way, and then travel east to Casa Ybel Road. Roads along the parade route will close at 9 a.m., so people should plan their travel accordingly. The roads will reopen at the conclusion of the parade, which will be at about 11:30 a.m.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure a spot.
Bringing a beach or lawn chair, water, sunscreen and bug spray is recommended.
Also, the parade floats have been known to toss out items.
The contest 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 2026 parade shirts are available for $20 at Bank of the Islands, at 1699 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel. Any leftover ones will be sold along the parade route, with the proceeds to fund next year’s event.
For more information, contact Phillips at 239-246-2981.
STAR SPANGLED CELEBRATION
Jerry’s Foods will present its Star Spangled Celebration from 10 a.m to 2 p.m.
Free and open to the public, it will feature family-friendly activities and holiday fun.
There will be face painting, along with food sampling.
The local Boy Scout Troop will serve hot dogs and refreshments for donations.
For more information, call the store at 239-472-9300.
Jerry’s Foods is at 1700 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
STARS, STRIPES & SANIBEL COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
Sponsored by the city, the Stars, Stripes & Sanibel Community Celebration will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the rec center. With activities for all ages, it has become a signature holiday tradition.
This year, new features will be incorporated for the 250th birthday of the United States.
There will be the Red, White And Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest.
The popular water balloon battle against members of the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District will return. At 12:20 p.m., grades K-3 will have the chance to win the water war, then grades 4-8 at 12:45 p.m.
There will be four larger-than-life inflatables set up, including a new basketball-themed one.
Attendees can partake in yard games like Jenga, Connect 4, Plinko and cornhole.
Community partners will offer activity tables, and the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) will have show-and-tell items from the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
There will be face painting for the youths, along with a photo booth.
All of the pools will be open, with lifeguards on duty.
Attendees can enjoy complimentary hot dogs, chips and water, as well as ice cream and cupcakes.
The event is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact the center at 239-472-0345.
The Sanibel Recreation Center is at 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel.
46TH ANNUAL 4TH OF JULY ROAD RALLY
The 46th annual 4th of July Road Rally will kick off at noon in the parking lot of Timbers.
Presented by the nonprofit Friends of Randy of Sanibel (FOROS), this year’s challenge will pay tribute to the 250th anniversary of the United States.
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.
Entry is open to 50 vehicles, also known as teams.
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, plus the Best Decorated Vehicle.
This year’s proceeds will benefit the Sanibel Sea School. A donation will also be made to Community Housing & Resources’ (CHR) families to assist with back-to-school supplies.
The entry fee is $50 per team.
If openings are still available day of, registrations will take place before the start.
To register or for more information, contact FOROS President Randy Carson at 239-699-8739 or rcarsonsan@gmail.com or Co-Vice President Allen Dunham at 239-699-9474 or cougar3_33@yahoo.com.
The Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market is at 703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel.
JAZZ AND AMERICANA CONCERT
SCUCC’s Music@SCUCC will present the Jazz and Americana Concert from 4 to 5 p.m.
Anchored by jazz master Dave Brubeck’s “To Hope: A Celebration,” it will feature classical and jazz selections from his celebration of hope, unity and peace in honor of the country’s 250th anniversary.
In addition, the Sanibel Slackers Jazz Trio will perform “Hymn to Freedom.” It is led by Bobby Kunkle, who toured on keyboards with the Grammy-winning band Mannheim Steamroller for 10 years.
Composed of junior and senior high students who are preparing for musical careers, the Fort Myers Curtain Call Americana Youth Singers will offer up a program, including “This Land is Your Land” by Woodie Guthrie, “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood and “Blue Skies” by Irving Berlin.
There will also be the July 4th Brass Quintet and a God bless America tribute to veterans.
The concert is free and open to the public.
For more information, visit SanibelUCC.org.
The Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ is at 2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
JULY 4TH FIREWORK DISPLAY
The city’s fireworks will launch at about 9 p.m. from the north end of Bailey Road.
The site will not be open to the public, and the show is subject to weather conditions.
The display can be viewed from numerous locations, including the Sanibel Causeway Islands and bayside beaches on the islands, as well as from vessels in the San Carlos Bay.
No roadside or illegal parking will be permitted on Sanibel.
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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FOURTH OF JULY ACTIVITIES
– 4th of July Annual Pancake Breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. at the Sanibel Community Church, at 1740 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
– Annual Independence Day Parade starting at 9:30 a.m. on Periwinkle Way on Sanibel
– Star Spangled Celebration from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at Jerry’s Foods, at 1700 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
– Stars, Stripes & Sanibel Community Celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sanibel Recreation Center, at 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel
– 46th annual 4th of July Road Rally starting at noon at the Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market, at 703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel
– Jazz and Americana Concert from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ, at 2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
To reach TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com, please email