A full Fourth of July weekend is taking shape along the coast
Small-town parades, waterfront celebrations, live music, family gatherings, and fireworks are planned from Sopchoppy to Port St. Joe.
Read the brief →
Current issue · July 2, 2026
A Fourth of July Coastal Edition
Fireworks, parades, scallop season, coastal celebrations, Summer Rosé Sangria, and more from Wakulla, Franklin, and Gulf.
Fourth of July weekendParades • Fireworks • Working Water • Coastal Summer
Community & place
Along the Coast
Parades, waterfront gatherings, local business notes, and coastal summer traditions.
Water & livelihood
Working Coast
Scallop zones, red snapper reminders, boating safety, and the waters that sustain the coast.
Food & gathering
From the Coastal Kitchen
Sharon Rigsby’s Summer Rosé Sangria, made for a holiday gathering or porch evening.
Top of the Tide
The holiday stories leading this week
Scallop season is open in Franklin and Wakulla-area waters
The Franklin County through northwestern Taylor County zone opened July 1, while Gulf County waters open later in August.
Read the brief →Holiday calendars stay busy across Wakulla, Franklin, and Gulf
County and city pages remain the best stop for public notices, event updates, traffic notes, and holiday office changes.
Read the brief →This Week’s Picks
Celebrate the holiday coast
Fourth of July
Independence Day on the Coast
Apalachicola, Sopchoppy, St. George Island, Port St. Joe, and nearby communities are ready for the Fourth.
Island tradition
St. George Island Wet ’N Wild Parade
Golf carts, floats, bicycles, walkers, and plenty of water return Saturday morning before fireworks over the Gulf.
Coastal evening
Port St. Joe Fireworks
Fireworks are set for Saturday night, with viewing from downtown and the George Core Park area.
Working Coast
Check your scallop zone before leaving the dock
Franklin and St. Marks-area waters are open, but the St. Joseph Bay and Gulf County zone remains closed until August 16. Check your zone, license, limits, equipment, and local ramp conditions before launching.
Read the updateRecent issues
Current plus the previous two
Thursday, July 2, 2026
A Fourth of July Coastal Edition
Fireworks, parades, scallop season, coastal celebrations, Summer Rosé Sangria, and more from Wakulla, Franklin, and Gulf.
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Summer Along the Coast
Coastal planning notes, scallop season, Fourth of July preparations, local history, and an easy summer dessert.
Thursday, June 18, 2026
The Coast Moves Into Summer
Local decisions, community events, working-water updates, and a few good reasons to get out along the coast this week.