I have lived in the US almost my whole life...  I am a Cuban refugee who arrived at the age of 9 and became a United States citizen on my sweet sixteen birthday with my parents. As an event planner, I love celebrating Independence Day with my family every year, and now that I have grandchildren, nieces and nephews, I try to find the best family spots in Southwest Florida to enjoy a nice afternoon with safe, beautiful fireworks in the evening. I am extremely proud of my Hispanic heritage, but have learned to love this country as my own as well; therefore it is with pride that I share some family events that will be happening in our area this weekend to celebrate the Independence of the country that took a lot of us in.

During my years as a party planner, and having raised a family and surviving the struggle of balancing work and play time, I also share some advice; enjoy your families and your free time with them.. remember life is not all about work, balance the ratio and your rewards in the future will be inmense. I always remember a wise saying I was once told; "Work to live, not live to work." Your children and teens will thank you in the future... the latest style of mobile devices, trendy jeans or computer games will seem less important when they are all grown up and become parents as well.

I thought it was not so important a long time ago; guess what? I was wrong.... my children taught me so.

Check out these Cool Events Below:

Sanibel Island
Red, White & Blue Celebration
5:30pm - 9:30pm Music by Small Town Kids Bounce House DUSK:
Sanibel Fireworks Display
11th Annual Fourth of July Celebration
July 4th - July 4th 2009
949 Sandcastle Road, Sanibel, FL, 33957

Red, White and Boom
Cape Coral Pkwy, Cape Coral
$1.00 dollar to enter this year!
(239) 549-6900
http://www.capecoralchamber.com/chamber/events.asp
    
Independence Day Festival
Centennial Park in downtown Fort Myers
Fourth of July on the Beach
Fort Myers Beach Fishing Pier & Times Square
http://www.centennialpark.com/events/fjuly.html

Independence Day Parade and Fireworks
Periwinkle Way and Sanibel Causeway, Sanibel Island
Silver King Celebration
Downtown Boca Grande, FL
941-697-2249
http://www.bocagrandechamber.com

Edison Ford Estates
The Estates will be offering FREE admission on July 4, 2009,
For Lee County Residents only.
Tickets will be available at the Estates ticket office on July 1, 2009.
Proof of residency is required.
www.efwefla.org

Fort Myers Princess
Sunset /Firework Cruises
Music and bar service available.
July 4th Fireworks on the River
Organization: Fort Myers Princess Address:
1300 Hendry St City Pier Location: Downtown Fort Myers
Website: www.fortmyersprincess.com


Fort Myers Beach Civic Association's Second Annual Fourth of July Parade.
Lees Garcia Miss Florida will be the Grand Marshall of the Parade, followed by Miss Southwest Florida, Miss Fort Myers, Miss Cape Coral and Miss Naples Teen.
The parade starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 4.
Starting point at  School Street and continues to Estero Boulevard then Times Square.
Fireworks Show can be seen off the pier.
Expect the Mantanzas Pass Bridge to be closed from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. that day.
At 2 p.m., there will be a "Meet and Greet" with Miss Florida and the other pageant winners at the Pink Shell Resort.
Please be advised that parking will be very, very limited at the resort so make use of the LeeTran trolley system.
Call Lee Melsek at 470-3407 or Dennis Boback at 462-8798
 

Happy Fourth!

Isabel Albuerne

"The Event Lady"