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St. Augustine Beach officials ban fireworks, alcohol on beach; outline shuttle and driving rules for Fourth of July
Summary
Mayor Dylan Rumrill and Police Chief Dan Carswell told residents ahead of the Fourth that fireworks and alcohol are prohibited on St. Augustine Beach, described which access roads will be open to vehicles and urged use of a shuttle that will pick up at City Hall.
Ahead of the Fourth of July, St. Augustine Beach Mayor Dylan Rumrill and Police Chief Dan Carswell reminded residents that fireworks and alcohol are prohibited on the city’s beaches and outlined shuttle, driving and parking arrangements for the holiday.
The reminder is aimed at keeping people safe and reducing post‑holiday cleanup. Police Chief Dan Carswell said, “on the beach in St. Augustine Beach, fireworks and alcohol are prohibited.” He added that cleanup requires “lots of cleanup [by] volunteers and city staff afterwards with the fireworks, and then lots of violations for the alcohol.”
Carswell listed vehicle access and logistical details, saying, “Driving will be open on A Street and at Ocean Trace Road. Please come early. The traffic does back up. Spots are limited out there. It will fill up.” He warned drivers that only higher‑clearance four‑wheel‑drive vehicles should attempt beach driving: “Just make sure you have a 4 by 4 vehicle with 4 by 4 that's operational, that too. And with a little bit of clearance. If you have a lower 4 wheel drive, sedan or something like that, it is it is not going to make it out there on the beach. You're going to get stuck, and we're going to back up those traffic lanes.”
Carswell said the county shuttle “picks up in the City Hall parking lot right behind us, from I believe 10 to 4PM all day,” and that shuttles run about every 10 to 15 minutes and will drop passengers at the pier before returning to City Hall.
Mayor Dylan Rumrill noted that the City of St. Augustine (the sister city) will host fireworks over the Matanzas and said, “I believe parking is at Anastasia Baptist Church from, 6 till midnight on, tomorrow,” urging residents to follow the law and be safe. Rumrill closed the briefing by saying, “Be safe. But again, celebrate America. Until then, happy fourth of July.”
No formal actions or votes were taken at the briefing; officials provided guidance and reminders for holiday safety and logistics.
