There is plenty going on in Coconut Grove for Fourth of July, with the night ending with the spectacular fireworks display at Peacock Park. Last year about 8,000 people attended that.
The day traditionally starts with a Fourth of July picnic at The Barnacle (3485 Main Highway). It's an old-Fashioned style Fourth on the great lawn out back. While the picnic runs all day, morning is the best time to show up, about 11 or 12 and then about 2 pm, head over to CocoWalk for the Hot Dog Eating Contest and after that is the Coconut Scavenger Hunt and then Peacock Park is the place to go after that, around 4 or 5 pm to hear music, eat, drink and count down to the fireworks display around 9:30 pm.
Alto Reed, the Grammy Award winning sax player from Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band is the featured perfomer on stage at Peacock Parks' free concert.
Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr. are in town for their Babalu show at the Arsht Center and they'll be stopping in at Peacock Park to judge the lechon cook-off between the Coconut Grove Chamber and Rotary Club called "The Bring It On Food Challenge." There's a wild bore and a pig in the competition. Lucie and Desi will be on stage to greet the crowd between 6 and 7pm. There will be lots of things for the kids at Peacock Park and a dunk tank for adults, along with the beer and food vendors.
Daytime activities at The Barnacle include lawn games, knot tying lessons, house tours, live music by Matthew Sabatella and the Rambling String Band, and more. Hot dogs, popcorn, soda and water will be available for purchase, or bring your own picnic. Coolers, blankets, and chairs welcome. Please, no pets or alcohol.
Barnacle fees: $5 per person, $2 ages 6-12, under 6 free.
For all day free events, check out the The Hot Dog Eating Contest (CocoWalk at 2:30 pm) and The Coconut Scavenger Hunt, starting at 3:30 pm in front of The Bookstore (3399 Grand Avenue) also Peacock Park entrance is free all day and night but some of the kiddie features will have a cost and of course food and drinks will be sold.
To fit it all in, this is the best schedule:
11 am to 1 or 2 pm: The Barnacle Picnic
2 pm to 4 pm: CocoWalk: Hot Dog Eating Contest and after that the Coconut Scavenger Hunt
4 to 10 pm: Peacock Park events including lechon cookoff with Lucie and Desi Jr. judging, bands playing, games for kids, food and drinks for sale and finally the fireworks display at around 9:30 pm.
10 pm or later: Hang out at a restaurant or two in Center Grove, take in a movie at Paragon Grove 13.
And don't forget, on Friday and Saturday, July 2 and 3, the Cirque du Grove will take over Grand Avenue at the Mayfair side -- fire eaters, stilt walkers, high wire walkers and buskers will be putting on a free outdoor circus! That's Friday night and all day Saturday, then Saturday night at 7 pm, the Coconut Grove Gallery Walk starts. The Grove is where it's at this 4th of July weekend.
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