Fun on the Fourth

A pirate invasion, "mutt strut" and lighted boat parade were some of the highlights of the 11th annual Independence on the Coast Celebration, held Saturday in Port St. Joe.

Though attendance was down from last year, the July 4 activities were enjoyed by a mixture of residents and out-of-town visitors.

A rogue pirate band invaded Frank Pate Park at 5 p.m. and entertained the crowds with their salty antics.

The Kid's Pirate Costume Contest, a festival favorite, drew a dozen entries, and some 40 children took part in the pirate's feast, enjoying chicken legs and other pirate fare.

The "mutt strut," a new edition sponsored by the Bow Wow Meow Beach pet shop, drew a bevy of patriotic pooches to the festivities.

Other parades included Friday night's "Cruise-in," a procession of patriotic themed cars and golf carts down Reid Avenue, and Saturday night's lighted boat parade, sponsored by the Port St. Joe Yacht Club.

Live music by Tommy and Jimmy Curry and Reggie Grantham preceded the fireworks display, launched at 30 minutes after dark.

Meanwhile, Mexico Beach had a series of activities that started with a 5K run, included a kids' fishing tournament and finished with the fireworks at Sunset Park.

Wewahitchka drew crowds with carnival activities and concessions at the T.L. James Sports Complex, with funds benefiting the Dixie Youth baseball/softball teams. A fireworks display capped off the day's entertainment.

The Cape San Blas lighthouse also hosted its first Arts and Crafts Fair, which featured a deejay, food and book signings by local authors.

The crowds at the various events weren't indicative of the number of visitors who came out on the holiday.

Restaurants reported brisk business, with Patti Blaylock at the Sunset Coastal Grill pronouncing it the best Fourth the restaurant had ever had.

The lines at the Piggly Wiggly and local convenience stores were lengthy and steady, and parking spaces in some spots came at a premium. Scallop seekers could be seen throughout the weekend in various spots around St. Joseph Bay.

The boat launches at Port St. Joe, Mexico Beach and Wewahitchka were packed with trucks, trailers and boats.

The ramp at Frank Pate Park in Port St. Joe stayed inundated from Thursday through Sunday morning.

That area was also a perfect place at dark as the fireworks in both Mexico Beach and Port St. Joe could be seen from the jetty at the park.

In fact, the fireworks brought traffic along U.S. 98 in Port St. Joe to a near crawl as gawkers slowed or pulled onto the shoulder of the road for a better look.