July 1st:
Eustis:
The City of Eustis will host its Independence Day Hometown Celebration on Saturday, July 1 in Ferran Park. The free, family-friendly event runs from 5 - 9:30 p.m. and includes live music, vendors, food, a kid zone, a water ski show on Lake Eustis at 6:30 p.m. and a spectacular fireworks finale over the Lake at 9:30 p.m.
Where: 250 Ferren Park Drive, Eustis
When: Saturday, July 1 5pm-9:30pm, Fireworks at 9:30pm
Contact: 352-357-7969
_________________________________________________________________________________________________July 3rd:
Mount Dora:
Freedom on the Waterfront: Join us in Elizabeth Evans Park at 5:00 PM for an old-fashioned celebration of our Independence Day with food, live music, & fireworks at dusk.
Where: 100 North Donnelly Street, Mount Dora
When: Monday, July 3rd, 5pm with fireworks at dusk
Contact: 352-735-7183
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July 4th:
Tavares:
July 4th Celebration - Home of the Free Because of the Brave! Tuesday, July 4 from 3 - 9:30 pm
Prepare yourself to enjoy a hometown, patriotic parade on Main Street kicked off by a seaplane flyover. One thousand American flags and 1,000 toy soldiers will be passed out before the parade begins on Main Street at 5:00pm. These two symbols instill patriotism and pride in Americans, so if you are able to arrive early enough to get a flag, waive it enthusiastically as the parade passes by! And take a toy soldier home to remind you to pray for those who serve our country.
After the parade, guests are encouraged to head to Wooton Park to enjoy loads of fabulous, family-fun with live music, food trucks, inflatable rides & face painting—compliments of the Tavares Chamber of Commerce and their generous sponsors--library book give-away, the Big Red Bus, Tattoo artist, a Dance Party, photo booth, Painting With a Twist and tasty sausage samples provided by Gold Meat, purveyors of fine Brazilian-spiced meats.
But wait a minute…there’s so much more!
As you may have guessed by the title, this year’s event is designed to honor our brave men and women who freely give of themselves to protect us and to keep our country free. In the Town Square, or as we are calling it on July 4th, Military Square, plan to see military vehicles on display, listen to performances by the Maiden Voyage Band, run through an inflatable Boot Camp obstacle course, shop the vendor booths, and will you please bring an item or two off the list below to the booths in Military Square for the KISS (Kids In Support of Soldiers—see below) and for *Operation Paperback (see below) programs. Also, if you want to Honor Your Hero in a visual way, please submit photos of your military family member or EMT, Firefigher, or Law Enforcement Officer who is or who is not still active in these fields to events@tavares.org and a slideshow will be shown on digital monitors throughout the evening (installed facing Rockingham Avenue) to honor these heroes.
First time in Tavares! Interactive, 3-D street painting (or also known as chalk art) on Rockingham Avenue. Get your photo taken IN the image! Cool stuff!
*The Ocklawaha Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) was established in March, 1916 and is based in Eustis, Florida. The chapter will be accepting donations for Operation Paperback on July 4th. Operation Paperback was founded in 1999. Volunteers, collect gently used CDs, DVDs and paperback books and send them to American troops, veterans and military families. We are proud to say THANK YOU to all members of the military for the sacrifices they make in the service of our country. Donations of music CDs, DVDs and gently used paperback books for all reading genres except romance are requested. Donations can be brought to our tent at the festival.
And don’t forget to stay for the majestic flag raising ceremony & fireworks show over the water at 9:00 pm. Simply breathtaking! If this doesn’t move you, you might want to check your pulse. (smile) NOTES: Rain out date for fireworks show is July 5th at 9:00 p.m. and access to the FREE parking garage is from North Sinclair Avenue, not from Main Street.
List of Approved Donation Items: Apple Sauce (4oz cup), Canned Fruit, Creamer Packets, Goodies and BC Powder, Gum, Hand Sanitizer, Insect Repellent, Koolaid (pkgs), Magazines, Oatmeal (pkgs), Peanut Butter Cups, Phone Cards, Ramen Noodles, Sugar (pkgs), Sunscreen, Tuna Fish (cans), Batteries, Coffee, Cookies, Granola Bars, Hand Held Games, Hot Chocolate, Juice Boxes, Lip Balm (unscented), Moist Towletts, Paperback Books, Peanuts (pkgs), Pop Tarts, Slim Jims, Sunflower Seeds, Trail Mix, Vienna Sausage (cans)
Wooton Park is located at 150 E Ruby Street, Tavares. For more information please contact Debby Blais at 352.742.6319 or dblais@tavares.org. Please visit the link below for a parade application.
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July 4th:
Leesburg:
Celebration at Venetian Gardens: It's a family fun 4th of July at Venetian Gardens and Ski Beach. Festive Food, FREE Kids Zone with jump houses, games, and stilt walker, and the pool is free from 1-8pm. Special Leesburg Lightning vs the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs game at 6pm.
Spectacular Fireworks display at 9:15pm over the lake.
The Largest Fireworks display in Lake County will be set off from a barge in the middle of Venetian Cove providing a breathtaking experience to celebrate our nation’s independence. You can get a front row seat all around Venetian Cove or from your own boat during the Boat Tailgate Party located between Monkey Island and the boat ramp.
Where: 109 East Dixie Ave, Leesburg
When: 1pm-8pm Free kids zone and pool; Fireworks at 9:15pm
Contact: 352-365-0053
_________________________________________________________________________________________________July 4th:
The Villages:
THE VILLAGES® SPANISH SPRINGS TOWN SQUARE®
THE VILLAGES® LAKE SUMTER LANDING MARKET SQUARE®
THE VILLAGES® BROWNWOOD PADDOCK SQUARE®
TUESDAY, JULY 4 | 5PM - 9PM
Celebrate the 241st Birthday of our great Country with your friends, family, and neighbors at all 3 Squares this 4th of July!
This year will feature the following festive entertainment:
SPANISH SPRINGS TOWN SQUARE®
BLUE STONE CIRCLE IN THE GAZEBO
LAKE SUMTER LANDING MARKET SQUARE®
JOHNNY WILD & THE DELIGHTS IN THE PAVILION
BROWNWOOD PADDOCK SQUARE®
SCOOTER THE DJ ON THE DOG TROT PORCH
The Bar Kiosks will be open at each Square with refreshing beverages.
The Patriotic Stilt Walkers will be out and about at all 3 Squares for those photo opportunities with the likes of Uncle Sam, The Statue of Liberty, and other Patriotic Historical Figures!
The Villages® Festival Performance Groups, including The Villages Cheerleaders, The Villages Twirlers & Drum Corps with Special Guests, Aloha 'O Ka Hula Dance Troupe, and The Prime Time Twirlers, all will be performing their fantastic Patriotic routines on multiple Squares!
It will truly be a Hometown 4th of July on all 3 Squares taking place at the same time!
