(WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.) – Instead of the traditional 4th on Flagler event along the waterfront, the City of West Palm Beach is planning for a DIY 4th of July. While the City’s Independence Day celebration will include fireworks, they will not be launched from near Flagler Drive but, instead, from two different undisclosed north and south locations to reach as many people as possible. The fireworks will ignite over West Palm Beach at a time to be announced. To promote the public’s health and safety, the City’s beloved July 4 waterfront festivities are canceled. Instead, residents are encouraged to have a “POP” – a party on their porch. As part of the Community Events Division’s DIY Event Guide, the City will create a series of videos to help patriots party at home. The content will include how-to videos for recipes, decorations, and games. While some residents will be able to see the fireworks from their home, all residents will be able to see them by tuning into WPBF 25. Through a special partnership, the Hearst Television owned ABC affiliate will broadcast the fireworks live to everyone in the station’s viewing area.
“Though our Fourth of July plans might look a little different, they are no less significant,” said City of West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James. “In fact, I’d say they are more significant this year than in years past. We are celebrating the culmination of 125 years strong and pushing through this pandemic together. As such, we will celebrate at home, together – and our award-winning Community Events Division will show you how!”
The campaign encourages residents to indulge in a full afternoon of at-home entertainment, with the 15-minute show as the grand finale. Prior to the start of the show, residents are encouraged to order take out in support of West Palm Beach Eats and stage a “POP” – a party on their porch. The DIY Event Guide content will help people host their own “event,” using common and inexpensive household items. The videos will be released on Sunday, June 14. Everyone is encouraged to post pictures and videos of their POP to social media, using #WPBTogether, to join the virtual DIY 4th of July celebration.
In addition to airing the fireworks, WPBF 25 will also highlight West Palm Beach's storied history spanning 125 years. The time of the show will be announced soon. WPBF 25 can be viewed on Comcast channel 10 and 431, Direct TV/Dish Network/AT&T U-Verse on channel 25, and over the air on channel 25-1. The broadcast will also be streamed live on wpbf.com and in the WPBF 25 News App.
"We are honored to be the exclusive broadcast partner for this year's patriotic fireworks display and are proud of our long-standing partnership with West Palm Beach,” said WPBF 25 President & General Manager, Caroline Taplett. "It will truly be a special broadcast celebrating both the Fourth of July and the City's 125th anniversary. WPBF 25 is happy to step forward to produce the live broadcast for the entire viewing area to safely enjoy from the comfort of their homes."
“While unique, this is one of the most exciting Fourth of July celebrations we have ever hosted,” said Mary Pinak, Community Events Manager for the City of West Palm Beach’s Department of Parks and Recreation, who has been part of organizing nearly every 4th on Flagler since its inception. “We are thrilled to reach even more people with our creative ideas and fireworks. We hope everyone who joins us virtually this year will mark their calendar to join us in person next year.”
DIY 4th of July is produced by The City of West Palm Beach. Collaborators include West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority/Arts & Entertainment District, Visit Palm Beach, Northwood Village and Historic Northwest Neighborhood. Sponsors include Town of Palm Beach, Joe DiMaggio Children’s Health Specialty Center at Wellington, Discover The Palm Beaches, FPL, The Palm Beach Post, The Ben Hotel, WPBF 25, 97.9 WRMF, SUNNY 107.9, X 102.3, New Country 103.1, PARTY 96.3, Fox Sports 640 South Florida, News Talk 850 WFTL, and Jimmy Johns.
For more information about the City’s DIY 4th of July, visit wpb.org/events, call 561-822-1515 (TTY: 800-955-8771) or follow the City of West Palm Beach on Facebook @CityofWPB and on Twitter and Instagram @westpalmbch.
