Independence Day Events

LAKE MARY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - It's a blast of excitement for all this Forth of July Weekend and you need to know the up and coming events in your city!   Each year, our Independence Day is marked with glowing skies and thundering booms. But while you shoot your fireworks in celebration, keep in mind some helpful hints:

• Always use fireworks outside.
• Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
• Always have a bucket of water or water hose nearby.
• Children under 16 should only use fireworks under adult supervision.
• Even if you are not planning on shooting your own fireworks or cooking out in the backyard, check out some of the events happening in your area.

Altamonte Springs

The City of Altamonte Springs has teamed up with local radio station XL106.7 for their annual Red Hot and Boom celebration featuring national recording acts and venders. The starring acts include, We the Kings, Kevin Rudolf, Matt Nathanson, Carolina Liar, Hey Monday, Jesse James, Parachute, The Cab and Evan Taubenfeld. Admission to this concert and festival is free and takes place on Friday, July third at the Cranes Root Park in uptown Altamonte. Performances begin at 4 p.m. and go until 11 p.m. The fireworks begin at 930 p.m. and are known to be the largest and most spectacular display in the area. For more information, contact Glory Adona Langston or Ashley Burns at 407-916-7800 or www.x1067.com .

Cocoa

The city of Cocoa will celebrate Independence Day with The Brevard Symphony Orchestra. The symphony will accompany the beautiful display of fireworks at Riverfront Park in downtown Cocoa Village. Admission is free. For more information call 321-242-2024 or visit www.cocoafl.org http://www.cocoafl.org .

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach and Ron Jon Surf Shop will shower the night sky with another one of the largest fireworks displays on Florida’s East Coast. This traditional show is brought by the Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral Community Fireworks. The fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. and will be displayed from a barge anchored off-shore at Alan Shepard Park at the end of State Road 520 in Cocoa Beach.

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach will hold this years Coke Zero 400 weekend beginning July second through the fourth. This weekend marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of Richard Petty’s historic two-hundredth NASCAR win. Watching NASCAR's elite compete at Daytona International Speedway is a family tradition among die-hard racing fans. It's nighttime racing at its best, followed by a spectacular fireworks extravaganza. Admission prices vary. For more information call 800-748-7467.

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach will also host a Main Street July Fourth BBQ Cook-off to complement the Boardwalk fireworks for Independence Day. Main Street will host an eight-block-long street party with a summer barbecue theme. In addition to traditional BBQ food vendors, an amateur BBQ competition will take place with prizes and trophies awarded in multiple categories. Admission is free from 6 p.m. until midnight, with fireworks at nine-thirty p.m. For more information call 386-255-9300, or visit www.daytonabeach.com/calendar.cfm

Debary

Debary will celebrate July Fourth at the historic site of Debary. Activities at this free outdoor party will be geared toward young and old. A disc jockey will play patriotic music, and attendees can compete in a number of events, including pie-eating contests. Participants may bring a picnic lunch or purchase refreshments on site. The festivities will begin at 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, July Fourth. Tours of the mansion are 5 dollars for adults, 4 dollars for seniors, 2 dollars for children ages three through twelve, and free for children two and under. For information about DeBary Hall, please call 386-668-3840, or visit www.debaryhall.com .

Kissimmee

Kissimmee will hold one of the most popular annual events in Osceola County on July Fourth. This event will feature live entertainment, karaoke, arts and crafts, bingo, a food festival, water-ski show and a spectacular fireworks display. The location will be at Kissimmee Lakefront Park. Admission is free. For more information call 407-933-8368.

Lake Buena Vista

Lake Buena Vista will be catering a variety of special events for Fourth of July.
All four major theme parks, Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom will have patriotic parades, live music and spectacular fireworks shows. All Fourth of July celebrations are included in the regular admission price. For more information call 407-934-7639, or visit www.orlando-florida.net/events/july/ http://www.orlando-florida.net/events/july/ .

Mount Dora

The Historic Lakeside Inn in beautiful Mount Dora, is celebrating her one-hundred-twenty-sixth Fourth of July, benefiting the Mount Dora Historical Society. Join in the fun on Saturday, July Fourth from 4 to 8:30 p.m. This family celebration will feature live Tropical Rock style music from the T.Scott

Band & Rockin Robin, Face Painters, and much more! The general public is welcome to this FREE CELEBRATION. Bring your picnic blankets and lounge chairs and prepare to be entertained!

Melbourne

Melbourne’s Independence Day will present its Community-Funded Fireworks, Parade as well as a fireworks display over the Indian River Lagoon. The display is scheduled for 9 p.m. on July 4 just south of the Melbourne Causeway. Claude Edge Front Street Park provides the primary viewing area for the fireworks display. Free bus transportation is to be provided between the park and the Melbourne Auditorium. Buses are to depart for the park at 7:10, 7:50, and 8:10. Buses are to return to the auditorium at 7:30, 8:10, 8:50, 9:30, and 10:10.   The portion of New Haven Avenue between Front Street and Highway U.S. 1 is to be closed to traffic from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on July fourth. A section of Melbourne Avenue near Front Street will be restricted to eastbound traffic during the same period. The Melbourne Causeway is to be closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic from about 8:15 p.m. to 10 p.m. for safety reasons. The boat ramp at Front Street is to be closed from 5 p.m. on July third until 9 a.m. on July fifth.

Ocoee

Ocoee is having a special Fourth of July Movie In The Park. The cities Parks and Recreation Department will be premiering Paul Blart Mall Cop for its Movie in the Park event on Saturday, July fourth, at the Jim Beech Recreation Center soccer fields. The film starts at 8:45 p.m. The lawn area opens at 7:30 p.m.  Admission is free but be sure to bring your own blanket and lawn chair. Pizza, popcorn, candy and beverages will be available for purchase. In the event of inclement weather, this movie will be shown inside the Jim Beech Recreation Center. For more information, please call Parks and Recreation Department at 407-905- 3180.

Orlando

It's Fireworks at the Fountain for Orlando’s July Fourth celebration. Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon around beautiful Lake Eola in downtown Orlando with games, activities, live entertainment and delicious food, followed by a fabulous thirty minute fireworks display at night. Admission is free. For more information call 407-246-2827, or visit www.cityoforlando.net/calendar.htm .

Orlando

Soul Music sensations India Arie and Tamia will fire up Orlando on the fourth at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center. For tour schedules, tickets and information, log onto www.soulsummer.com . Check-in time is at 8p.m.

Orlando

Orlando is hosting an annual Independence for the Animal's Vegan Picnic! The event will be an afternoon of fun and games, entertainment and delicious vegan food. This rain or shine picnic will be held on July fifth at 11:00 am at beautiful Wadeview Park, 500 East Harding Street in downtown Orlando. Admission is free and open to the public. Attendees are asked to RSVP to ArffCentralFL@arff.org

Orlando

Universal Orlando’s Independence Day will come to life with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame artists The OJays. Plus, the Fourth of July Universal 360 show will feature a special, high-tech, patriotic finale, complete with a dazzling fireworks display. The show begins at 9 p.m. Please note that fireworks will NOT be visible from CityWalk or Islands of Adventure. Universal Studios admission ticket is required to view Universal 360 show.

Orange City

Orange City, Florida wants families to join them at Valentine Park, Located at 1595 West French Avenue, for an Independence Day Celebration. Admission is FREE, however they are requesting each person bring a canned food item or school supply, which will be donated to local families in need. There will be FREE Children Games, inflatable fun, a Rock Wall and Bungee Jump, Bicycle Helmets fitted by Volusia County M.P.O. with contests and prizes. Entertainment includes a DJ and special performance by The Navy Band "Windward Brass" Brass Quintet, out of Jacksonville.  This event is from 3-9pm and there will be food vendors on-site. The fireworks show begins at 9 p.m. Remember your lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets!  For more information, please contact 386-775-5454.

Ormond Beach

Sights and sounds of independence will engulf both sides of the scenic Halifax estuary as Ormond Beach celebrates an exciting Independence Day festival on July fourth. Fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. and there will be no admission or parking fees. Earlier, starting at 6 p.m., a wide array of fun, food and entertainment will be available to people of all ages at three of the corners near the Granada Bridge. Music at near by Rockefeller Gardens begins at 6 p.m. and at 7:45 p.m. Sal Ronci and his band will step forward to provide continued music pleasure with the sounds of swing. There will be a Kids Corner along special guests Uncle Sam and Ben Franklin.  There will be free transport provided between the mainland and beachside areas. Wooden piers and docks will close for the evening at 7 p.m. Public boat traffic into and out of the area on the Halifax