Fireworks in Crestview

CRESTVIEW — The city's Independence Day celebration will include food for purchase, merchandise vendors, fireworks and a performance by the North Okaloosa Community Band.

The celebration, which is free to attend, starts at 5:30 p.m. July 4 at Twin Hills Park, 10 Hathaway St. N, off U.S. Highway 90 East, Crestview.

The North Okaloosa Band's performance begins with the national anthem at 5:30 p.m.; the group also will play other patriotic and march music selections. The band has musicians at all skill levels, who range from high school students to octogenarians. Band leaders are director Kim Whaley and associate directors Lindsey Stuart, Jeanine Cochran and Joshua Williams.

City Clerk Betsy Roy said funding for the $10,000 fireworks display — run by Pyro Shows of Tennessee — comes from the city's annual budget.

The event is expected to draw a crowd, but Roy said festivities will be significantly smaller compared to last year's event, which was part of the city's 100th anniversary celebration.

Areas near Twin Hills will be blocked off for parking. Attendees may also park in the lot near the facility's gym.

While pets are not prohibited at Twin Hills Park, Roy recommended that people not bring their pets due to the loud noise levels of fireworks displays.

"They do have to have them on a leash and the owners have to have their vaccination records with them," she said.

Other Northwest Florida holiday and summer fireworks shows are:

•HarborWalk Village's Independence Day weekend: Featuring live music performances, 7-9 p.m. July 1-4 at 10 Harbor Blvd., Destin, and fireworks display 9 p.m. July 4 over the Destin Harbor.

•The Smoke on the Coast BBQ and Fireworks Festival is 5 p.m. July 3 at Destin Commons, 4300 Legendary Drive, Destin. The barbecue fundraiser has 17 competitors cooking to win $15,000 for their partner charity. Entertainment starts at 5 p.m. and the barbecue tasting begins at 6 p.m. Cost is $1 per sample to vote on the People's Choice winners. The event includes kids’ activities, street performers, and continuous live music. It ends with a fireworks display and over $80,000 in donations to local nonprofits.

•4-10 p.m. July 4 at the Fort Walton Beach Landing, 139 Brooks St. SE. It includes live music, entertainment, food, merchandise vendors and kids' activities. Fireworks start at 8:15 p.m., followed by live music from Continuum.

•Red, White and Baytowne, 6-10 p.m. July 4 at Baytowne Wharf, 9300 Baytowne Wharf Blvd., Miramar Beach. Celebrate with kids' activities, restaurants and bars, live music, and a 9:15 p.m. fireworks display over Baytowne Lagoon.

•The Twin Cities Fireworks Show over Boggy Bayou is 8:45-9 p.m. July 4 at Lincoln Park, North Bayshore Drive, Valparaiso.

•9 p.m. Wednesdays, July 5 through Sept. 3 at the Okaloosa Fishing Pier, 1450 Miracle Strip Parkway, Fort Walton Beach.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Fireworks in Crestview