Get the best bang for your buck this Fourth (EVENT LISTINGS)

There are plenty of ways to have a blast this Independence Day in the Destin area. Here is some of what is going on this holiday weekend.

City of Destin’s Independence Day Celebration
The city of Destin will host its first Family Independence Day Celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. July 3 at Morgan’s Sports Center. There will be a Kid’s Bike Parade, inflatable jumpers, youth activities, performances by local talent, the “Common Thread” in concert and fireworks.
Check in for the bike parade is 5 p.m. Bring lawn chair or blanket. No pets allowed. No rain date. Call 654-5184 or 650-1241.
The City of Destin’s annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration will begin promptly at 9 p.m. July 4 over East Pass at the Destin Harbor. FM 105.5 “The Wolf” will broadcast the soundtrack for this year’s fireworks.

Red, White and Baytowne
“Red, White and Baytowne” at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort offers a free weekend of 4th of July events for the whole family at The Village of Baytowne Wharf.
Scheduled events include:
•Village’s house band, Coconut Radio, at 7 p.m. July 3 and from 6 to 9 p.m. July 5.
•Roaring river slide, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 4 and 5.
•Stilt walker, facepainter, kids crafts and Betsy Ross at 6 p.m. July 4.
•Live music and children’s activities from 6 to 9 p.m. July 4 at The Market Shops at Sandestin.
•Fireworks at 9 p.m. July 4 on the beach, set to music.
•Fireworks at 9:15 p.m. July 4 in the Village. American flags will be passed out and guests may write a letter to a soldier.

HarborWalk with a bang
The Zydeco Bad Boys will rock the docks at HarborWalk on July 4th. Register to win tickets on Bud Light Party Cruise and a $99 HarborWalk Village Gift Card. City fireworks follow at 9 p.m.

Independence Day Fireworks
Bring the entire family to a fireworks show at 9 p.m. July 4 in Center Plaza at Destin Commons. The 49-head pop fountain will also shoot water up and down for the kids to frolic as the community watches the skyline over Destin Commons light up to America's favorite patriotic songs.

Seaside Parade
Start the celebration of Independence Day in Seaside with the Annual South Walton July 4th Parade, scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. in front of Seagrove Plaza. Residents and visitors march 1.5 miles down Scenic Highway 30A in patriotic costumes and on festive holiday floats. Parade participants should meet at the Seagrove Plaza at Garrett Realty no later than 7:15 a.m. To register or participate, visit seasidefl.com/july4parade.

Fort Walton Beach 4th of July Celebration
The City of Fort Walton Beach will host its annual 4th of July celebration from 4 to 10 p.m. at the Fort Walton Landing on Brooks Street. The celebration includes family friendly games and activities, food and merchandise vendors and several local entertainment acts performing on stage.
The annual children’s bicycle parade begins at 6:45 p.m., and the fireworks display over Santa Rosa Sound is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. 
Everyone attending is asked to bring a non-perishable food item to be donated to Sharing and Caring of Fort Walton Beach. The City, along with the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, will also collect recycling at the park. All of the proceeds from the aluminum cans collected will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House in Pensacola.
 
Holiday weekend at WaterColor Inn & Resort
Events scheduled at WaterColor include a Fourth of July Red, White and Run 5K through the WaterColor trails at 7 a.m. Run begins at 8 a.m., fun run at 8:30 a.m. No preregistration or fee.
A private, ticketed event for owners and guests on WaterColor's beach includes beach chairs, picnic-style dinner, beverage service and live music from the Dean Dollar Band from 6 to 9 p.m. Call 534-5008 for reservations.
A free WaCo Ramblers Concert and Street Party@WaterColor Boulevard will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. July 6.

Amvets Fund-Raiser
A Destin teenager, Holly Burke, is one of only 300 people diagnosed with a “clear cell sarcoma,” a type of cancer that is resistant to chemotherapy.
A fundraiser will be held at 2 p.m. July 4 at Amvets Post 29 in Destin to raise money for Burke's treatments.
The fundraiser will include a fish fry at $5 per plate, a 50/50 raffle, and live music by Kemosabe and various other artists. Friends and family of Burke have also developed a Web site for her cause.
If you are interested, visit the site at www.shredoutcancer.org. To read more about Burke's cancer see thedestinlog.com