Fireworks

Searching for a place to celebrate our country’s freedom? Try one of these firework displays!

Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular in downtown Sarasota offers a dazzling display! Starting at 9pm, this show is sure to please audiences of all ages. Marina Jack, Island Park, and Oleary’s Tiki Bar & Grill are the suggested best areas to view these fireworks.

23rd Annual 4th of July Fireworks Display on Siesta Key provides brilliant fireworks. Starting at 9:15pm, the place to be for the optimal views is south Siesta Beach. Don’t miss this stunning show!

Food

Heading to a neighbor’s for a 4th of July gathering but have nothing to bring? Try this tasty fruit pizza from a Taste of Home:

Ingredients:

o 1 cup all-purpose flour
o 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
o 1/2 cup cold butter
o 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
o 1 cup sugar
o 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
o 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
o 2 cups halved fresh strawberries
o 1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
o Star pastry tip

For the crust: In a bowl, combine the flour and confectioners’ sugar. Cut the butter into the dry ingredients until crumbly. Press the mixture onto a greased 12-in. pizza pan. Bake at 325° for 10-15 minutes or until the crust is lightly browned. Let cool.

For the flag: In a bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar. Add the vanilla and lemon juice, mixing until smooth. Spread 1 cup cream cheese mixture over the crust. Set the remaining cream cheese mixture aside.

• Referring to the photo for position, arrange five rows of strawberries on top of the pizza to create the red strips of flag. Place the blueberries in the upper left corner.
• Cut a hole in the corner of the plastic or pastry bag and insert the star tip. Fill the bag with the reserved cream cheese mixture. For the white stripes, pipe a zigzag pattern between the rows of strawberries.

Flowers

Having a gathering at your place? Add some decoration without having to buy banners and signs. Let Beneva make it easy for you by providing our fresh flowers.

You can also create your own festive containers with these DIY ideas. They can be fun projects to do with the kids!

1. Using a clear vase, you can paint river rocks red, white, and blue and layer them to create an American flag look. Pick up some flowers from Beneva and ta-da, a perfect patriotic centerpiece for your 4th of July BBQ.

2. Turn a coffee can into a decorative accent. Take the coffee can and some acrylic paints (red, white, and blue). Paint the outside of the can with large stripes and let it dry.

Happy Fourth of July from Beneva!