(BIVN) – The County of Hawaiʻi is promoting events in Hilo and Kona on this 4th of July holiday.

In Kona, “The Pride of Hawai‘i with Liberty and Aloha for All” is the theme for the 24th Annual Kailua-Kona Community Independence Day Parade. The parade begins at 6 p.m. with a procession from Kekuaokalani Gym, heading south on Kuakini Highway to Palani Road where it will continue down Ali‘i Drive, ending at Walua Road. Pōhakuloa Training Area Commander LTC Loreto V. Borce, Jr. will serve as grand marshal.

At 8:00 p.m., the skies over Kailua Bay will light up in a 10-minute “Fireworks Extravaganza,” presented by Hawaiʻi Explosives and Pyrotechnics, Inc, county officials say.

In Hilo, the county has this information on the Hilo Bay Blast 2019:

The County of Hawai‘i, in partnership with Destination Hilo, Hawai‘i Explosives & Pyrotechnics, Hawai‘i County Fair Foundation (Hilo Jaycees) and the State of Hawai‘i are proud to present Hilo Bay Blast 2019. This year’s 4th of July celebration will feature various activities throughout the day culminating with the traditional Fireworks Exhibition at 8:00 p.m. in Hilo Bay.

Donald Pascual of Hawaii Explosives promises a dynamic display for this year’s fireworks celebration. The show is set to begin at 8:00 p.m., and will be synchronized to patriotic music aired on KWXX. Station details can be obtained by calling KWXX at 935-5461.

Beginning at 7:00 a.m. on July 4, the Salute to Our Veterans Hilo Bay 5K Run/Walk at Lili’uokalani Gardens kicks of the celebration. The 5K is in recognition of all those in uniform, past, present and future, and is sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3830. Prizes will be awarded for various categories. A $25.00 registration fee is required and space is still available. For more information, or to register, visit www.ASaluteToOurVeterans.org, or contact Mike or Pat Sauer at (808) 965-0565 or by email at webmaster@ASaluteToOurVeterans.org.

At the mauka Hilo soccer field, the Hot Rides Expo will run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., featuring feature local vintage, classic and futuristic vehicles. All show vehicles are welcome to participate at no charge. Show vehicles can roll in from 7:30 a.m. at the vacant gas station on the corner of Kamehameha and Pauahi Street. Show vehicles are encouraged to stay until 3:00 p.m. Individuals interested in participating in the car show may call Francis Rodillas at (808) 896-3467 or email 808classiccruisers@gmail.com.

On stage at the Expo will be Ol’ School Band, Randy Lorenzo & Friends, DD & the High Rollers, Patio Productions, and East Side Shredders. The show starts promptly at 10:00 a.m. and will continue to 3:00 p.m. Sound and technical assistance will be provided by Pepe Romero of CJ’s Promotions.

Children’s activities will be available at the Hilo soccer fields and will feature water slides, bouncers and the Wicked Bowls wagon. Other food vendors will be available with a variety of onolicious grinds and treats.

The Isles, located across the Lili’uokalani Gardens, have been designated as the Kupuna Viewing station for the fireworks. The Elderly Activities Division will provide shuttle service from the Kamana Senior Center, located at 127 Kamana Street. The shuttle to Isles will run from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The return shuttle will run from 8:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for the trip back to Kamana Center. Individuals 55 years and older should contact P&R Elderly Recreation Services at 961- 8710 for more information.

In order to give the public additional viewing areas for the fireworks, Lihiwai Street which runs through Lili’uokalani Gardens, will be closed and blocked for the entire day on July 4. The road will re-open on July 5.

To make the Bayfront Shoreline accessible for prime fireworks viewing, the Bayfront Highway will be closed from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on July 4. Gates at the Mo’oheau Bus Terminal, Mo’oheau Park Ball Fields and adjacent Soccer Fields will be opened to allow access to this area during the fireworks exhibition.

The Hawai‘i County Band is scheduled to perform their annual 4th of July Concert in the Mo’oheau Bandstand beginning at 7:00 p.m. According to Band Director Paul Arceo, the concert will feature patriotic selections in celebration of Independence Day.

County, State and Federal public safety agencies are working together to make the 4th of July event a safe and enjoyable event for all to enjoy.

As a reminder, county officials provide the following information:

• All events are alcohol-, drug- and litter-free.
• Personal fireworks and smoking are prohibited at all beach parks.
• The Wailoa Small Boat Harbor Basin, vehicle parking area (the parking area at the mouth of Wailoa River) will be barred to unauthorized vehicles. Only owners of the vessels currently moored in the location will be allowed to park their vehicles in the closed area.
• The restroom in that closed area will be open for public use.
• Access under the Wailoa Bridge via the catwalk will be closed.
• No open fires are allowed in the small boat harbor and mooring areas.
• No fireworks or alcohol are allowed in the small boat harbor and Wailoa State Park.
• Operation of drones within 5 miles of the Hilo Airport is prohibited.
• All marine vessels including kayaks, all types of canoes and Stand-up Paddling Boards operating at night are required to have navigation lights and Personal floatation devices.
• A 100-yard safety zone will be set around the Fireworks barge; unauthorized vessels are not allowed to moor, drift, traverse or enter this area. DOCARE officers will be assisting this event on sea and land.