It’s America’s 250th birthday. From celebratory fireworks to a live orchestral performance and a World Cup watch party, here are a few things you can check out across Tampa Bay this weekend.<\/p>\n
The Fourth at the St. Pete Pier<\/a><\/p>\n Happening on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the St. Pete Pier, this is St. Pete’s main Fourth of July celebration with live music, a craft beer garden, food trucks, and a vendor market. Fireworks will be around 9 p.m., visible from most of the downtown waterfront.<\/p>\n Tampa World Cup Watch Party <\/a><\/p>\n The FIFA World Cup Watch Party is Friday at The Sail Plaza outside the Tampa Convention Center. The free community event begins at 4 p.m. Kickoff between Cape Verde and Argentina is at 6 p.m. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from The Sail. <\/p>\n St. Petersburg Opera: 4th of July Pops Spectacular<\/a> <\/p>\n Happening on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Mahaffey Theater, this is a live orchestra and chorus performance moving through patriotic, classical, and Broadway numbers. Tickets start around $56. <\/p>\n ALSO READ: Looking for Fourth of July plans? Here’s a list of events around Tampa Bay<\/a><\/p>\n Clearwater Threshers Independence Day Fireworks<\/a> <\/p>\n Happening on Friday and Saturday, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. for a 6:30 p.m. game at BayCare Ballpark, this pairs a Threshers game against Fort Myers with the biggest postgame fireworks show of their season, and it’s the same show both nights. <\/p>\n Gigglewaters Hot Dog Eating Contest <\/a><\/p>\n Happening on Saturday from 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Gigglewaters Social Club in Safety Harbor, this is a five-minute hot dog eating contest. There’s a $25 entry fee \u2014 all of which goes to the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. <\/p>\n