Posted: 06/30/2021 / 5:18 PM CDT
/ Updated: 6/30/2021 / 5:18 PM CDT

Local businesses are preparing for high tourism on the weekend of July 4th.

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FLA. (WMBB) – Bay County expects its busiest days of the year as tourists flock to Panama City Beach on the weekend of July 4th.

“Tourism is the number one economy in Bay County,” said Lacee Rudd, public relations manager for Panama City Beach. “Vacation weekends like this really help our economy and Bay County, our local businesses, attractions, and business owners in the area. So it’s very beneficial for the region. “

Given the expected high tourist numbers, local businesses like SandBar Seafood and BBQ Joint in Panama City Beach expect the most customers year-round.

To compensate, General Manager Gerald Yarbrough will hire two or three people on each shift to keep up with the influx of customers.

“We were extremely busy, hours – an hour and a half or more,” said Yarbrough. “I really have to add a lot of staff, so I just have to hire additional staff.”

Over the past few years, Yarbrough has been able to estimate how much business the restaurant will receive over the weekend of July 4th. However, with people returning to the beaches on July 4th for the first time in two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Yarbrough isn’t sure how many customers will show up.

“Nobody could go anywhere last year,” said Yarbrough. “And this year people are really going to be able to do a lot.”

In addition to high estimates for local businesses, there will also be local fireworks for residents and tourists.

The Panama City Beach fireworks will begin on July 2nd at 8:30 p.m. with a light in Papa Joe’s. Then there will be fireworks on the 3rd at 8:30 pm at the Boardwalk Beach Resort Hotel, followed by another fireworks display at 8:45 pm in the Grand Lagoon. Finally, on July 4th, starting at 9 p.m., there will be fireworks from Russell-Fields City Pier and MB Miller Pier

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