North Central Florida will be abuzz with events to celebrate America250, the nation’s semiquincentennial, during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday.
Multiple venues have events on tap from Starke to Cedar Key that include parades, music and fireworks.
Here’s a list of events that are planned in chronological order:
WILLISTON
Williston Independence Day Celebration
Date: Friday, July 3, at 6 p.m.
Location: Horseman’s Park, 803 SW 19th Ave.
The city of Williston will present its Independence Day with the gates opening at 6 p.m. and events kicking off at 7 p.m. The event is free with a requested $3 parking donation. Better than Monday will perform live music and food vendors will be available. There will be a Citizens of the Year presentation along with a parade float and horse winners’ recognition. Fireworks start at dusk.
GAINESVILLE
Date: Friday, July 3, at 6 p.m.
Location: Flavet Field, 605 Woodlawn Dr.
WUFT will present an evening that includes performances by The Jordan Mobley Jam Band, The Savants, the UF Billy Mitchell Drill Team and the Gainesville Community Band and Gainesville POPS. Bring a chair or a blanket and multiple food trucks will be available on site. For safety reasons, no dogs, sparklers, alcohol or drones are allowed. The fireworks display is scheduled to start around 9:30 p.m.
NEWBERRY
Independence Day Fireworks Show
Date: Friday, July 3, at 6 p.m.
Location: Countryway Town Square, 1739 SW 248th Dr.
Enjoy an evening filled with vendors, festive fun, and hometown pride. As the sun sets, get ready for a spectacular fireworks display that honors our nation’s history and the freedom we’re proud to celebrate together. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.
TRENTON
Date: Friday, July 3, at 7:30 p.m.
Location: Tri-County Nursing Home, 7280 SW State Road 26
Free community event will feature live entertainment, games, food and fireworks.
LAKE BUTLER
Independence Celebration at Lakeside Park
Date: Saturday, July 5, at 3 a.m.
Location: Lakeside Park, 155 NW 3rd St.
The Tommy Spires Memorial Fishing Tournament kicks off the day’s events at 3 a.m. (for registration, launch begins at daylight). From pie contests and BBQ cook-offs to fishing tournaments, classic cars, vendors, patriotic activities for kids, the Stars & Strides 5K Rotary Run, and special messages to our troops, there will be something for everyone all day long. Fireworks will close the festivities in the evening.
KEYSTONE HEIGHTS
July 4th Celebration – 250 Years of Freedom
Date: Saturday, July 4, at 8 a.m.
Location: Keystone Heights Beach Park, 555 S. Lawrence Blvd.
Start the day with the Freedom 5K, which benefits the Jordan Cooper Memorial Scholarship Fund, and starts at Keystone Heights City Hall (555 South Lawrence Blvd.). Family-friendly activities are a highlight of the celebration, including a pie-baking contest, baby crawl contest, and a spirited beach volleyball tournament. Guests can also step back in time with cowboy reenactments, celebrating the rugged spirit and history that helped shape our nation. A parade will start at noon and the day will conclude with fireworks.
CEDAR KEY
Date: Saturday, July 4, at 8 a.m.
Location: Throughout Cedar Key
There will be a Cedar Key Freedom 5K fun run starting at 8:00 a.m. with a $30 entry fee that includes a shirt. The parade starts at 11 a.m. and. from noon to 3 p.m., the Cedar Key Aquaculture Association and Lions Club will have booths set up with steamed clams, shucked raw clams, merch, face painting, snow cones, bobbing for apples and watermelon. After that is over, enjoy sitting on the beach or walking around, visiting all Cedar Key has to offer until the fireworks start at dark.
STARKE
Date: Saturday, July 4, at 9 a.m.
Location: David Hurse Stadium, 515 Adkins St.
The Starke Spangled Splash Bash will start with a parade in downtown Starke at 9 a.m. At 10 a.m., there will be a vintage military flyover featuring World War II aircraft in downtown Starke. Bring a change of clothes, because the last part of the route will be a “wet” parade featuring water spraying between the vehicles and the crowd under the Madison Street overpass by the Downtown Square at 10:30 a.m. At 2 p.m., David Hurse Stadium opens with foam and water spray for all ages. The evening concludes with a fireworks launch at 9:45 p.m.
NEWBERRY
Date: Saturday, July 4, at 9 a.m.
Location: Downtown Newberry, 25540 W. Newberry Rd.
Newberry will be celebrating America’s 250th with a Macy ‘s-style parade showcasing 100 significant American Events and Inventions. This parade will feature cars, tractors, floats, walking characters, marching bands and more. The parade will run west to east on W Newberry Rd from 260th to Seaboard Drive. A stage will be downtown with featured guests announcing each parade element as it goes by. There will be plenty of bleachers available on a first-come, first-served basis in front of City Hall, near the Norfleet Municipal Building and in Barry Park.
MICANOPY
Date: Saturday, July 4, at 11 a.m.
Location: Throughout Micanopy
The parade will begin at 11 a.m. along Cholokka Boulevard. At 5:30 p.m. at the Micanopy Ball Park (702 NW 3rd St.), there will be music, food trucks and a bounce houses. Bring chairs, blankets and bug spray. Fireworks launch at dusk.
BRANFORD
Branford River Reunion 4th of July
Date: Saturday, July 4, at noon
Location: Branford Greenway Trail, 502 SW Suwannee Ave.
The festival runs from noon to 9 p.m. The Rotary Duck Race on the Suwannee River starts at 2 p.m. Events will include a car show, children’s activities, 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 p.m.
LAKE CITY
Date: Saturday, July 4, at 5 p.m.
Location: Florida Gateway Fairgrounds, 164 SW Mary Ethel Lane, Lake City
The city of Lake City and Columbia County will host its free 4th of July Celebration. Enjoy live music performed by the Atlantic City Boys and Caribbean Chillers, food trucks, a car show, remote control racers, hot air balloon rides, field day games, and water slides. The fireworks display is scheduled for 9:30 p.m.
ALACHUA
Alachua Fourth of July Celebration
Date: Saturday, July 4, 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 event will feature food trucks and music provided by Elio Piedra of Tu Fiesta Radio and Uncle Morty’s Rhythm Cream. Fireworks will start at 9:30 p.m.
LIVE OAK
Date: Saturday, July 4, at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Millennium Park at 115 W. Howard St.
Visitors can enjoy an interactive, family-friendly parade filled with historical characters, patriotic displays, and creative floats. Freedom Fest offers a full lineup of activities, including a parade at 7 p.m., live music, food vendors, kids’ activities, bounce houses, a hot dog eating contest and a fireworks finale at 9:15 p.m.