Check Out These Family-Friendly Independence Day Events Happening in North Florida!
Wondering what to do with family & friends this Independence Day? Here is a list of the family-friendly holiday events happening this week in Gainesville and north cental Florida to celebrate the 4th of July.
Event: UF Fanfares and Fireworks
When: Tuesday July 3rd; 6 PM - 10:00 PM
Where: Flavet Field at the University of Florida, 605 Woodlawn Drive, Gainesville FL
Fanfares and Fireworks is the annual Independence Day celebration. Featuring local and regional bands, music, and the traditional fireworks display, the event draws thousands to the University of Florida bandshell. Musical groups confirmed so far include: Bears and Lions,Gainesville Community Band. The fireworks will begin at approximately 9:40 p.m. During the event, LifeSouth Blood Center will conduct a blood drive and concessions will be available for purchase. For safety reasons, no dogs, sparklers or alcohol are allowed at the event. Coolers are allowed, but may be subject to search by the University of Florida Police Department. www.wuft.org/fireworks
Event: Fireworks Extravaganza in Trenton
When: Tuesday July 3rd; 7 PM - 10:30 PM
Where: Pine Grove Baptist Church - 16655 NW CR-339, Trenton, FL, 32693
Free Food, Fireworks, Family Fun, Live Music, dessert trucks, and Water Slides! Bring your towels, swimsuits, lawn chairs & yourselves and come join the fun! Invite your friends, neighbors and community!
Event: Williston Independence Day Celebration
When: Tuesday July 3rd; 5 PM - 10:00 PM
Where: Horseman`s Park, 803 SW 19th Ave., Williston, FL
The event begins with a parade on Noble Ave. at 5:00 p.m. Immediately after the parade we welcome you to Williston Horseman's Park located approximately 2 miles South of Williston on Hwy. 41. Gates to the park open at 6:00 p.m. There is a $2.00 per carload parking donation requested but not required. Once inside the park you will find entertainment all evening long as well as free rides for the children, games and vendors of all kinds including many varied food vendors. The City of Williston sets off the amazing fireworks at dusk. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets. No dogs except service dogs are permitted. Please no alcohol. This is a family event. (352) 528-5552.
Event: City of Alachua 4th of July Celebration
When: Wednesday July 4th; 3 PM - 10:00 PM
Where: Hal Brady Recreation Complex,14300 NW 146 Terrace, Alachua, FL
The City of Alachua will hold its annual Fourth of July Celebration on Wednesday, July 4, 2018 at the Hal Brady Recreation Complex. The event will begin at 3 p.m. and last through 10 p.m., with fireworks at 9:30. Please check back to this website as more information will be posted as it becomes available.
The City of Alachua has dubbed its celebration "The Largest Small Town Fireworks Display in America." The annual event draws more than 30,000 people to Alachua and has great economic impact on businesses in our area. There are dozens of activities for the kids, including bounce houses, rock wall climbing, bungee jumps and water slides. This year kids can also take advantage of the spray park and skateboard park located on site. For the adult audience there are several unique vendors, bingo contests, dancing groups and live musical entertainment to name a few. Without a doubt the event has something for everyone and of course the hottest fireworks around.
Event: Cedar Key Parade and Fireworks
When: Wednesday July 4th; 12 PM and 9:15 PM
Where: Cemetery Point Park, Cedar Key, FL
Golf cart parade at noon, and Fireworks Over the Water between Dock Street and Atsena Otie at 9:15pm!
Event: Hawthorne Family Fun and Fireworks
When: Wednesday July 4th; 5 PM - 10:00 PM
Where: Hawthorne Recreation Park, SE 205th St,, Hawthorne, FL
Join us for Food, Music, Get-Together, Fun, Fireworks, Games, Bounce Houses!
Event: Interlachen 4th of July Celebration
When: Wednesday July 4th; 8 AM - Dark
Where: Various Locations - Interlachhen, FL
Red,White & Boom! This is always a great day with lots & lots of FREE stuff for the kids to do. Fishing tournament, bike race, parade, free games, food, music, face painting, movies and fireworks!
Event: Keystone Heights "Our Country Day"
When: Wednesday July 4th; 9 AM - 9:30PM
Where: Keystone Heights Beach Park, 550 S Lawrence Blvd, Keystone Heights, FL
Join us behind City Hall from 9am-4pm. Parade begins at 11am. The parade will form at the front of Keystone Heights Elementary School, located on Pecan Street. Keystone Beach from 5:30-9:30. www.ourcountryday.com
Entry into the beach park will require each spectator to must have an armband, no exceptions, and this year armbands will cost $1. Armbands will go to the first 4,000 buyers, the absolute limit to entries to the beach park, so get yours early. Armbands will be sold starting June 1st at My Brand, Healthy Living 4U, Genesis Fitness, and City Hall. You can also purchase them at The Street Dance on June 30th. Armbands will be available July 4th 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Behind City Hall and 5 p.m. - until fireworks begin at Keystone Beach.
Event: Lake Butler 4th of July Celebration
When: Wednesday July 4th; 7 AM - Dark
Where: Lakeside Park, 155 NW 3rd Street, Lake Butler, FL, 32054
Lake Butler is the place to be this 4th of July! The Lake Butler Rotary Club is sponsoring the event, and the plans are in motion for a great celebration this Independence Day! (386) 496-3401.
Events of the Day:
- 3:30am - Big Bass Fishing Tournament
- 7:00am - One Mile Family Fun Run
- 8:00am - 5K Run (register at Lake Ave & 3rd Street, the Loop)
- 9:00am - Noon - Antique Car Show
Throughout the day you can check out the various vendors offering food, crafts, and much, much more! There will be a Live DJ, karaoke and more, a fun day for the whole family!! Ending the day at dusk will be a Fireworks Spectacular!!!
Event: Lake City 4th of July Celebration
When: Wednesday July 4th; 5 PM - Dark
Where: Columbia County Fairgrounds, 438 State Rd 247, Lake City, FL
Lake City hosts their Annual 4th of July Celebration annually on July 4th. In 2012 the event was moved from downtown Lake City to the Columbia County Fairgrounds and we have had a record crowd ever since! We found our attendees had more room to spread out and enjoy the show, there is more parking, children were able to run around and play, vendors were selling out of food, the police and fire departments felt the event was safer than in the past and it allowed for thousands of more people to come and experience North Florida’s best firework display! This is an event that you do not want to miss!
Event: Lake Santa Fe Boat Parade
When: Wednesday July 4th; 11 AM
Where: Lake Santa Fe Park, Northeast State Road 26, Melrose, FL
A long-standing tradition on Lake Santa Fe is the annual 4th of July Boat Parade. Typically the circumnavigation begins at 11 am. Boats gather at the entrance to the Lake Santa Fe Boat Ramp, Alachua County, at the south end of Big Lake Santa Fe. The circumnavigation goes counter-clockwise along the shore of both lakes. Anyone interested can simply decorate your vessel and come along. Docks provide a great place for viewing.Or when the red, white and blue boats motor by, feel free to jump in your own vessel and join the parade!
Event: Micanopy July 4th Celebration
When: Wednesday July 4th; 11 AM - Fireworks at Dusk
Where: 702 W. Third Avenue, Micanopy, FL
The Town of Micanopy is planning a day-long celebration of Independence Day on July 4th, as it has done for over a quarter of a century. The day will begin with our annual parade at 11:00 am ; then onto the Ballpark for music, food, and fun, including a bounce house free for children starting at 5:30 pm; and culminating with the Annual Fire Works display at dusk. Bring blankets, chairs and bug repellent. Concession Stand will be open.
Event: Town of Bronson Fireworks
When: Wednesday July 4th; 5:30 PM
Where: James H Cobb Park, Bronson, FL
The Town of Bronson will be hosting a fireworks display at dark. Food vendors will be on hand selling delicious treats. Bronson Fire Rescue Station 70 will be lighting the sky with a beautiful Fireworks display as the sky darkens.