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Privateers parade on 4th of July

The traditional Independence Day parade by the Anna Maria Island Privateers will travel the Island from end to end Tuesday, July 4.

There won’t be any marchers or other pedestrian participants, for the route is much too long. Everyone will be on wheels, whether truck, car, motorcycle, bicycle or whatever.

Honored guests in the parade will be the Manatee Olympic torch bearers for 1996 Olympic Games, who carried the Olympic torch through their territory 10 years ago. They will be in automobiles for the parade. 

After the parade is finished, they will be honored along with paraders and the public at a reception at the Sandbar Restaurant, 100 Spring Ave., Anna Maria.

The parade will kick off at 10 a.m. from Coquina Beach, proceed north mainly on Gulf Drive and Marina Drive to Pine Avenue and wind up in Bayfront Park. 

Prominent as usual will be the Privateers land-traveling ship, pirates aboard with their black-powder-charged cannon, swords and beads which they share with the onlookers.