More than a dozen Fourth of July celebrations are on tap this coming week in North Central Florida.
From Starke to Cedar Key, communities are set for parades, music and fireworks to mark the 248th anniversary of the birth of America’s independence.
Here’s a list of events that are planned in chronological order:
GAINESVILLE
Date: Wednesday, July 3, starting at 6 p.m.
Location: UF Bandshell at Flavet Field, 605 Woodlawn Dr.
WUFT will present an evening that includes performances by The Late Night Losers, Buko Boys, Madwoman and the Gainesville Community Band and Gainesville POPS under the direction of Jay Watkins. Bring a chair or a blanket and multiple food trucks will be available on site. The fireworks display is scheduled to start around 9:40 p.m.
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS
Date: Thursday, July 4, at 8 a.m.
Location: Keystone Heights Beach Park, 550 S. Lawrence Blvd.
Start the day with the Freedom 5k (Cost: $40 June 4 -July 1 or $45 Day of Race), which benefits the Jordan Cooper Memorial Scholarship Fund, an all-volunteer non-profit organization that gives scholarships to Keystone Heights High School graduating seniors. Entry into the beach park will require each spectator to have an armband at $1 each (if purchased at City Hall prior to July 4) or $2 at the gate. Stay for the annual Fourth of July celebration featuring food, arts and crafts, live music, a parade, children’s activities, and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
LAKE CITY
Date: Thursday, July 4, at 9 a.m.
Location: Wilson Park/Darby Pavilion at 232 NE Hillsboro St.
The city of Lake City and the Rotary Club of Lake City will host its annual Independence Day Celebration running from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with vendors, kids’ zone, music, entertainment, food trucks and a hot dog eating contest.
CEDAR KEY
Date: Thursday, July 4, at 10:45 a.m.
Location: 434 2nd St.
The golf cart parade starts at 10:45 a.m. followed by corn hole games and a darts tournament. The fireworks show will start around 9:15 p.m.
MICANOPY
Micanopy Independence Day Celebration
Date: Thursday, July 4, starts at 11 a.m.
Location: Throughout Micanopy
The parade will begin at 11 a.m. along Cholokka Boulevard and the evening celebration at the ballpark (702 NW Eestaulkee 3rd Ave.) will include music, food and free bounce house for the kids starting at 5 p.m. Fireworks launch at dusk.
BRANFORD
Fourth of July River Reunion Festival
Date: Thursday, July 4, at 12 p.m.
Location: Branford Greenway, 502 SW Suwannee Ave.
The Rotary Duck Race on the Suwannee River starts at 2 p.m. Events will include a car show, watermelon eating and seed spitting, live music by DJ Trapper Griffith, a cornhole tournament, a parade at 7:30 p.m. along with craft and food booths. The fireworks will launch around 9:30 p.m.
ALACHUA
23rd Annual Alachua Fourth of July Celebration
Date: Thursday, July 4, starts at 5 p.m.
Location: Legacy Park at 15400 Peggy Rd.
The free event will begin at 5 p.m. with fireworks set to start at 9:30 p.m. Dubbed “The Largest Small Town Fireworks Display in America,” Alachua’s annual will feature live music and food trucks.
LIVE OAK
Date: Thursday, July 4, at 6 p.m.
Location: Veterans Memorial Park, 220 Pine Ave. SW
Organizers plan to have live music by The River Rats, bounce houses, food, and craft booths. Fireworks will begin around 9 p.m.
STARKE
Date: Thursday-Saturday, July 4-6
Location: Bradford County Fairgrounds at 2300 N. Temple Ave.
Starke’s Splash Bash will last three days this year starting with the All American Night at 4 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, the R&B Motown Night at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 5, and the Boot, Scoot & BBQ Night at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 6. Fireworks are scheduled for 9:45 p.m. all three nights.
LAKE BUTLER
Independence Celebration at Lake Butler Lakefront
Date: Saturday, July 6, all day
Location: Lakeside Park, 155 NW 3rd St.
The Tommy Spires Memorial Fishing Tournament kicks off the day’s events at 4 a.m. (for registration, launch begins at daylight). The day will be highlighted by the annual Lake Butler Rotary Independence Day Car Show that is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fireworks will begin around 9 p.m. with musical accompaniment.
ARCHER
Date: Saturday, July 6, at 2 p.m.
Location: Archer Road 1½ miles west of Santa Fe College Davis Center.
The afternoon includes family-friendly activities, a car show, live music, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors and fireworks. Fireworks begin after sundown.
WILLISTON
Williston Pre-4th Extravaganza Independence Day Celebration
Date: Saturday, July 6, at 5 p.m.
Location: West Noble Avenue
The city of Williston will present its “An American Holiday” Independence Day Celebration beginning with a parade at 5 p.m. on Saturday down West Noble Avenue. This year’s parade theme is “Freedom and Fireworks.” Following the parade at 7 p.m., the public is invited to Horseman’s Park (1610 SW 8th Terrace) for an evening of music, food and crafts, followed by fireworks at dusk.
HORSESHOE BEACH
Horseshoe Beach Fireworks
Date: Saturday, July 6
Location: Horseshoe Beach
Fireworks are launched from various locations and synchronized to music. No time or specific location was given.
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