Fireworks in Destin and Along the Emerald Coast

Posted on 6/22/2012

The Emerald Coast stretches from Destin in Okaloosa County to Miramar Beach and charming villages along Scenic Highway 30A on the Beaches of South Walton County all the way to Panama City Beach. Besides being one of the most beautiful beaches in the entire world with its crystalline white shores and emerald green waters it is also known for fabulous fireworks displays throughout the year. Everyone loves fireworks but in most parts of the country they can only be seen around July 4th and New Year's Eve. Fortunately for our Ocean Reef guests and visitors, here on The Emerald Coast it is a uncommonly common occurrence! Not only are fabulous fireworks celebrations displayed during the aforementioned holidays but also on Memorial Day and Labor Day. During the high season of Summer, fireworks can be seen on weekly basis at Harborwalk Village in Destin as well as at The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin Golf, Beach and Tennis Resort.

Destin Fireworks

Fireworks in Destin


Fireworks bring back nostalgic memories from childhood years for adults and create new memories for children that will also be warmly remembered for a lifetime. The history of fireworks, also known as pyrotechnics, is fascinating and goes back to ancient times. It was invented or perhaps discovered by accident during the Han dynasty in China around 200 BC. The first "firework" was actually bamboo! Once upon a time, someone in China threw some green bamboo on to a fire. It heated up and when the hollow reed expanded it blew up with a loud bam startling everyone. It was believed that the loud noise could scare away evil spirits. Ceremonies began to be held on the Lunar New Year to burn and burst the bamboo in order to ensure happiness and prosperity.  Soon it was also used to celebrate weddings, coronations, births and other special occasions. This went on for almost 1,000 years until alchemists discovered a mixture that became gunpowder made from sulfur and saltpeter or potassium nitrate. This mixture burned hot and bright providing a dazzling display. It wasn't long before someone decided to see what would happen if this same mixture was placed inside green bamboo. The result was much louder bang which became the first primitive firecracker. Soon they realized that they could also cut one end of the bamboo, stuff it with the mixture and create flames, sparks as well as dense smoke that came shooting out of the side. In 1292 Marco Polo brought these early fireworks to Italy from China. The Italians became fascinated by them and developed them over time into a true art form during the Renaissance. They invented aerial shells that could be launched high into the air which created explosions of orange and white. However, the most popular displays were elaborate showers of sparks that would flow down like a fountain on sculptures that included detailed models of castles or temples. They were adorned with fountains of sparks, torches and even spin wheels. European royalty began to use these for special celebrations much to the delight of the public who could watch them from a distance. By the early 1700s England began to produce huge public displays as well which coincided with the invention of the fuse which allowed them to light multiple fireworks simultaneously. Settlers to the New World brought them over from Europe and on July 4, 1777 Americans had their first fireworks celebration to rally morale during the Revolutionary War. Before the 1830s fireworks were colored only orange with white sparks but that all changed when Italian chemists discovered they could create other colors as well.  Adding the element strontium produced a red color, while sodium made yellow, barium came out green and copper created blue. Richer colors were created over time by adding potassium chlorate. Fine aluminum powder replaced the original black powder which burned hotter, brighter and had louder explosions. China continued to be the world's biggest manufacturer of fireworks and by the 1870s this became a major export to the United States.

So let the celebrations begin! At the charming Village of Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin, fireworks are shot off over the lagoon every week during the Summer months as a part of what they call Booming Tuesdays.  The fireworks are often preceded by free musical entertainment at the Events Plaza stage and the display starts at 9:15. They can be seen around the village green, the marina as well as the long wharf that juts out into Choctawhatchee Bay.  Not to be out done, Harborwalk Village in Destin has a Red, White & Blue celebration every Thursday night after dark during the Summer and throughout the month of September. This is preceded by a "flyover" of a vintage WW II airplane along with musical entertainment, fun activities for kids as well as arts and crafts.

These weekly celebrations are delightful but nothing compares to the Destin fireworks displays that light up the skies here on major holidays.  On July 4th Sandestin celebrates Red, White & Baytowne around the village green while free live musical performances emanate from the Events Plaza Stage. There will be lots of activities for kids in this very family friendly place that also has lots of fun for adults as well with fine restaurants, bars with live music and lots of unique boutiques so you can browse around. Also the SS Solaris which is anchored at the Sandestin Marina plans to have a dinner cruise on July 4th from 7:00 to 10:00 pm. Boarding begins at 6:30. The Solaris will cruise out into the bay toward the Mid Bay Bridge and then come back to the Baytowne Harbor just in time to watch the fireworks from the deck.  (As a thank you to our guests at Ocean Reef arriving this summer, on standard regular days when you buy one dinner cruise ticket we pay for an additional ticket to experience adventure on this gorgeous three level boat.) If you would rather watch fireworks on the beach, another fireworks celebration will be conducted on the gulf side of Sandestin as well.

HarborWalk Village Destin

HarborWalk Destin


Harborwalk Village will be doing their third annual Fourth of July celebration from 6:00 to 8:00 pm which includes a Harborwalk Hotdog Eating Contest sponsored by Dave's Dogs. Live musical entertainment, family activities and fun special contests with prizes are planned. The fireworks display is accompanied by piped in music that pours out of multiple speakers like surround sound.  Since the fireworks are shot off over Destin Harbor, expect to see lots of boats bobbing up and down on the water as well. After the Grand Finale you will hear them all toot their horns in unison as a sign of appreciation for the awesome display.

If you want to experience a small town Americana kind of Fourth of July celebration, Seaside in South Walton is planning a "Stars and Stripes Concert" with the Sinfonia Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra. Conducted by Maestro Demetrius Fuller, this will feature patriotic pops. The concert will be outdoors at the Seaside Amphitheater around the grassy lawn. The fireworks will be shot off at the end of the show.

Over in Panama City Beach another fireworks extravaganza is planned at Pier Park which extends from Highway 98 all the way to the gulf which is anchored by a long pier, hence the name. There is over one million square feet of shopping here that would satisfy even the most avid power shopper. Restaurants, bars and shops line the sides of this pedestrian friendly place. Several bands will be spread out at various sites along the way providing free musical entertainment before the big fireworks show after dark.

Wherever you plan to go to enjoy the firework celebrations, Ocean Reef Resorts has hundreds of wonderful vacation rentals to suit your family needs. We have everything from beach side villas and cozy cottages to high-rise luxury condominiums. Join us to recreate nostalgic times from years gone by and create new memories for your family that will always be treasured. Happy Celebrations!

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