SC Staff Report
Sanibel’s 31st Annual Independence Day Parade is tomorrow and Periwinkle Way will be closed from Donax Street to Tarpon Bay Road from 9 a.m. to approximately noon or immediately following the parade. Starting at 9 a.m. vehicles on Periwinkle Way will be re-routed at Donax Street to East Gulf Drive, Middle Gulf Drive, West Gulf Drive and Rabbit Road. A limited number of handicap parking spaces will be available at Sanibel Community Park, 2231 Periwinkle Way, until Periwinkle Way closes.
Sanibel Police Chief Dalton reminds motorists to be especially alert for parade floats, pedestrians and cyclists in the area of the parade, and to expect delays. Motorists are strongly urged to plan travel around these times or along an alternate route.
The Sanibel Recreation Center, 3880 Sanibel Captiva Rd., is hosting a Fourth of July celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be crafts, hot dogs, open pools, stiltwalker, shaved ice, photobooth and face painting.
The 2024 Sanibel Independence Day Parade Route
Other important Fourth of July reminders from the city:
• Leave personal fireworks at home. Possession and discharge of fireworks is not only prohibited, but loud sounds and bright lights on Florida’s beaches can have devastating effects on protected wildlife species like sea turtle and shorebirds.
• Avoid using flashlights or illuminated cell phones and never shine light on nesting or hatchling sea turtles.
• No flash photography after dark.
• Fill holes/level sandcastles after your visit to the beach for the day and remove ALL beach furniture by 9 PM to prevent wildlife obstacles and entrapment.
• Help teach visitors to not chase wildlife. Frequent disturbances may cause the animals to permanently abandon their home.
• Properly dispose of monofilament fishing line. For more information on how to reduce the impacts of monofilament and other fishing gear visit http://www.mindyourline.org.
• Pick up ALL TRASH and manmade waste on the beach.