Freedom and fireworks mark July 4th weekend

By Carrie A. Mizell

Americans will celebrate a holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence over the weekend by shooting off dazzling fireworks on Independence Day.
With the holiday weekend drawing near, consider packing a blanket and folding chairs into the car and venturing around the area to celebrate the vibrancy 4th of July offers.
In Gilchrist County, Ginnie Springs will hold its annual fireworks show on Saturday. Local country musician Bryce Carlisle will be performing before and after the fireworks show, which will begin just after dark.

A plethora of Independence Day celebrations will be held throughout the area, many featuring parades, barbecues, carnivals and fireworks.
The City of Alachua will hold its 11th annual Fourth of July celebration on Sunday at the Hal Brady Recreation Complex, 14300 NW 146th Terrace. Dubbed “The Largest Small Town Fireworks Display in America,” the family-oriented event will kick off at noon with free activities for kids, adults, live musical entertainment, unique vendors and a dazzling half-hour fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.
Located just three miles east of Chiefland, Lighthouse Word Church will hold an Independence Day celebration with a fireworks extravaganza. Snacks will be served beginning at 7 p.m. in the pavilion. Everyone is welcome to bring family members and friends to experience the church’s annual fireworks show which will start at sundown.
The City of Cedar Key will host its 7th annual CLAMERICA Celebration on Sunday in the City Park from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sponsored by the Cedar Key Aquaculture Association, the day will be filled with fun, food and events for the whole family.
The annual festival is an opportunity to celebrate Cedar Key’s clamming industry as well as the country’s birthday. Cedar Key farm-raised clams are featured on the menu and will be served in a variety of ways by community organizations. There will be steamed clams, clams-on-the-half-shell, clam chowder and clam fritters. Other local seafood served will include smoked mullet and fried shrimp.
A featured event again this year is a Shellfish Sand Sculpture to be created by Suzanne Altamare, a world champion and grand master sand sculptor from Daytona Beach.
Bring your blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy a “down home” 4th of July party, but with a clammy theme. Stick around for fireworks hosted by the City of Cedar Key at dusk.
The City of Williston and the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce will host the city’s annual Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 3.
The festivities will start with the annual parade, which will begin at 5 p.m. The parade will once again include over 100 different entries ranging from floats to fire trucks to politicians. After the parade, the gates at the Williston Horseman’s Park will open at 6 p.m. Admission is free. A parking donation of $2 per carload will be accepted. Official ceremonies will begin at 7 p.m. Vendor booths with novelties and lots of good food will line the park. There will be plenty of free activities for children as well as food and entertainment. At nightfall the sky will light up with a fireworks extravaganza.
Lake City will present a July 4th fireworks celebration on Lake Desoto on Sunday, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The annual event offers food vendors and evening entertainment leading up to the fireworks show at 9:15 p.m. Lake Desoto is located behind the Columbia County Courthouse.
For the second year in a row Suwannee will hold a rubber duck race on Saturday, beginning at 6:15 p.m. The race will be held at the concrete bridge and ducks will be on sale all day at Suwannee Fireworks. This year Suwannee will shoot off fireworks on Saturday evening at dark. As in years past, the fireworks will be shot off behind Salt Creek Restaurant on County Road 349. Spectators are encouraged to park vehicles along the highway and watch the show from lawn chairs set up along the edge of the road or neighboring docks.
Celebrate the 4th of July on the 3rd at Gainesville’s Fanfares & Fireworks, beginning at 7 p.m. The Independence Day Eve event will be held at the newly remodeled University of Florida Bandshell at Flavet Field on the UF campus. The free event will feature a variety of musical groups, an opportunity for families to picnic in the grass and spectacular fireworks show to cap off the evening.