4th of July celebrations underway

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (WSVN) -- People across South Florida are out and about, celebrating Independence Day.

The annual Independence Day parade took place on Key Biscayne Wednesday morning. "Yes, it was awesome," said one kid who watched the parade.

Revelers began celebrating the Fourth of July early Wednesday, and many went out to the beach to enjoy the sunny weather. "It's a gorgeous day," said one man who began his celebration at the beach.

The sun turned out to be too much for Gaby Montero. "I got a sponge, and I'm rubbing it all over my face," she said.

Leo Johnson spent his Independence Day grilling food for friends and family. "It's Fourth of July. It's a day of celebrating with family, with friends, enjoying the day, cooking and eating," said Johnson.

In the midst of the celebrations, however, revelers like Rossy Robinson have not forgotten the reason for the holiday. "The Fourth of July is a celebration of independence, the independence of the United States," she said, "and it makes you think about what our forefathers wanted us to have, as a country."

Beachgoer Nicole Jara agreed. "We're very grateful in this country to have freedom and to be independent, and if we hadn't had our founding fathers do this for us, we wouldn't be here today, enjoying our day off," Jara said.

Several events all over South Florida are planned. Thousands of fireworks will burst into the air off a barge in Fort Lauderdale later tonight. "It's going to be phenomenal. It's going to be fantastic."

In Miami, a light show is planned at Bayfront Park, Key Biscayne and Miami Beach. "They're gonna see something that they've never seen before," said the builder of the show.

For the first time in six years, 30,000 people are expected to see fireworks hit the skies above the iconic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. "It's a statement that we're back in the Gables," said Coral Gables Mayor Jim Cason. "Let the good times roll."

Law enforcement officials are urging residents to celebrate the Fourth of July safely. "Shooting guns into the air is a stupid act to do. They have no clue who's going to get hurt from the bullet coming down," said Miami Police Chief Manuel Orosa.

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