More than a dozen Fourth of July celebrations are on tap this weekend in North Central Florida starting Saturday and running through Tuesday.
From Lake Butler to Cedar Key, communities are set for parades, music and fireworks to mark the 247th anniversary of the birth of America’s independence declared in 1776.
Here’s a list of events that are planned in chronological order:
LAKE BUTLER
Independence Celebration at Lake Butler Lakefront
Date: Saturday, July 1, 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 July 4th Car Show, various vendors, crafts fair, and music. Fireworks will begin around 9 p.m. with musical accompaniment.
LAKE CITY
Downtown Independence Day Celebration
Date: Saturday, July 1, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Darby Pavilion at Wilson Park (200 NE Hillsboro St.)
The Rotary Club of Lake City and city of Lake City will host the event with vendors, a hot dog eating contest, car show, kid zone, live entertainment and food trucks.
HORSESHOE BEACH
Independence Day Fireworks
Date: Saturday, July 1, at dusk
Location: Southwest of “The Point” (Gulf end of Main Street)
Celebrate Horseshoe Beach’s annual Independence Day Fireworks.
WILLISTON
Williston Pre-4th Extravaganza Independence Day Celebration
Date: Monday, July 3, at 5 p.m.
Location: Horseman’s Park (1610 SW 8th Terrace)
The city of Williston will present its annual Pre-4th Extravaganza beginning with an Independence Day Parade at 5 p.m. Following the parade at 7 p.m., the public is invited to Horseman’s Park for an evening of music, food and crafts, followed by fireworks at dusk.
GAINESVILLE
Date: Monday, July 3, from 6 – 10 p.m.
Location: UF Bandshell at Flavet Field (605 Woodlawn Dr.)
WUFT will present an evening that includes performances by Matcha, Sooza Brass Band, The Savants of Soul and the Gainesville Community Band and Gainesville POPS under the direction of Gary Langford. Bring a chair or a blanket and multiple food trucks will be available on site. The fireworks by Skylighters of Florida display is scheduled to start around 9:40 p.m.
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS
Date: Tuesday, July 4, from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Location: Keystone Heights Beach Park (550 S. Lawrence Blvd.)
Start the day with the Freedom 5k Run/Walk, which benefits the Jordan Cooper Memorial Scholarship Fund, an all-volunteer non-profit organization that gives scholarships to Keystone Heights High School graduating seniors. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., multiple events will take place at and around Keystone Heights City Hall with the Our Country Day Parade at 11 a.m. along Lawrence Boulevard. Fireworks are planned at the Keystone Beach park at 9:30 p.m.
MICANOPY
Micanopy Independence Day Celebration
Date: Tuesday, July 4, at 8:30 a.m.
Location: Throughout Micanopy
A LifeSouth Blood Drive will kick the day off from 8:30-10:30 a.m. near the fire station playground. The Town of Micanopy will sponsor a fried chicken sandwich meal at the Masonic Lodge for $10 each. 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.
STARKE
Date: Tuesday, July 4, at 11 a.m.
Location: David Hurse Stadium at Bradford High School (581 N. Temple Ave.)
The Splash Bash will feature parade and fly over starting at 11 a.m. followed by musical performances, a watermelon eating contest, a car show, cornhole, food trucks, water slides and other fun and games. Cost is $5 at the gate.
BRANFORD
Fourth of July River Reunion Festival
Date: Tuesday, July 4, at 2 p.m.
Location: Branford Green Way (502 SW Suwannee Ave.)
The Rotary Duck Race on the Suwannee River at Ivey Park starts at 2 p.m. The parade starts at 3 p.m. Events will include a car show, live music, dunk booth, car show, watermelon eating and seed spitting and a cornhole tournament, along with craft and food booths. The fireworks display will start at 9:30 p.m. behind Hatch Park.
ARCHER
Date: Tuesday, July 4, at 4 p.m.
Location: Santa Fe College Ron and Norita Davis Center (17500 SW Archer Rd.)
The afternoon includes family-friendly activities, live music, an apple-pie eating contest, arts and craft vendors, food vendors and fireworks. Fireworks begin after sundown.
ALACHUA
23rd Annual Alachua Fourth of July Celebration
Date: Tuesday, July 4, at 5 p.m.
Location: Legacy Park at 15400 Peggy Rd.
The free event will begin at 5 p.m. Dubbed “The Largest Small Town Fireworks Display in America,” Alachua’s annual event draws thousands of people. Live music starts at 6 p.m. with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
LIVE OAK
Date: Tuesday, July 4, at 6 p.m.
Location: Millennium Park (115 W. Howard St.)
The street festival starts at 6 p.m. in downtown Live Oak with a flag ceremony to honor the first fallen soldier in the Korean War. Live music, activities and vendors will be on hand. Fireworks will start around 9 p.m.
CEDAR KEY
Date: Tuesday, July 4, at 9:15 p.m.
Location: Cedar Key City Park (188 2nd St.)
Cedar Key will launch its fireworks show around 9:15 p.m.