Streets across the Tampa Bay area were speckled with red, white, and blue this Independence Day as kids raced to the road in Temple Terrace to get the best spot for the parade on Friday morning.

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Crowds piled into Sparkman Wharf Friday for the Star Spangled Sparkman 4th of July celebration. People wearing red, white, and blue geared up for what they hoped to be an event filled day. Some traveled far, like one man from Georgia.

The Fourth of July is almost here, and with traffic and rain on the horizon, it's important to plan ahead. Here's a round-up of events in Tampa Bay. Boom by the Bay: This year's Boom by the Bay, organized by the City of Tampa,