Beachside Bonfire Fest Returns With a Drone Show

The bonfires are back, and Ocean Drive is about to glow. This Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m., the annual Beachside Bonfire Fest lights up the beach with fires roaring at five of Vero's favorite oceanfront spots. New this year are two drone shows over the water, one at 7 and one at 8:30.

The tradition began in November 2018 as the kickoff to Vero’s centennial, and it was such a hit that it came back the next year to close out the celebration. It’s been an autumn fixture ever since, with every stop putting its own spin on the night, from a fire dancer at Mulligan’s to Latin Night at Costa d’Este.

The fun is in the wandering, from Mulligan’s Beach House to Waldo’s, the Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa, the Boiler Room and Costa d’Este, where Peter Bernard plays by the water. Pick up a Bonfire Fest passport at your first stop, collect stamps along the way, and turn it in for a shot at a hotel stay or a raffle prize.

Proceeds go to Next Generation Veterans of Indian River County, a club born of the Iraq and Afghanistan era that welcomes veterans of every branch and their families. And for those who like to leave a place better than they found it, the Environmental Learning Center and Costa d’Este are hosting a beach cleanup from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday from 8 to 10 a.m. Volunteers meet at Sexton Plaza. Gloves and bags are provided, and the first 20 volunteers each day get grabbers and buckets. For more information, email EcoAction@DiscoverELC.org.