(This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information)
Happy 249th birthday, America!
Celebrate at free family-fun celebrations throughout Lake and Sumter counties.
From pageants featuring little ones dressed up as fireworks to water ski shows to seaplanes flying overhead to a ’90s one-hit-wonder band, you can enjoy patriotic fun June 28-July 4, 2025.
June 28 | Lady Lake’s ‘Big Bang’ gets the party started early
Lady Lake’s “The Big Bang” brings free family-friendly fun to the Guava Street Athletic Complex on Saturday, June 28 at 6 p.m., concluding with a fireworks spectacular set to light up the sky at 9:15 p.m.
The patriotic event includes “high-energy entertainment” from the Audio Exchange Band, watermelon-eating contests, an arts and crafts table, food trucks, vendors, a free mechanical bull ride and a kid zone with bounce houses, slides and a foam party. A free shuttle service will run continuously from 6 to 10:30 p.m. between the Rolling Acres Sports Complex and the event site on Guava Street.
VIP tent packages are available for $50, offering shaded seating with prime views of the stage and fireworks. Each tent includes a table, chairs, and party favors. Reserve yours today by contacting Amy Alicea at AAlicea@ladylake.org or 352-205-2826. Text TheBigBang25 to 38276 for real-time updates or visit ladylakefl.gov.
July 3 | Freedom on the Waterfront to light up Mount Dora
Another of Lake County’s early-bird celebrations, Freedom on the Waterfront celebrates the Fourth of July in historic Mount Dora on Thursday, July 3.
The waterfront celebration offers family-friendly festivities, live entertainment, a drone display and a fireworks finale at two venues: Elizabeth Evans Park, 100 S. Donnelly St., and Gilbert Park, 310 S. Tremain St.
Highlights include an interactive kids’ area at Gilbert Park from 5 to 8 p.m. David Cook, the 2008 American Idol winner, performs with opening act Cat Ridgeway & The Tourists at 6 p.m. in Elizabeth Evans Park. A patriotic drone display will be followed by fireworks over Lake Dora at 9:15 p.m.
A free parking shuttle will be in operation from 4 to 10 p.m., servicing attendees continuously to and from two locations: First Baptist Church: 1000 E. First St., and Mount Dora Plaza Shopping Center, 2700 W Old U.S. 441, Mount Dora. Details: 352-735-7110.
July 3 | Wildwood to celebrate with ‘Happy Birthday, America’
Sumter County residents can also celebrate the Fourth the night before the holiday and save time for beer and barbecue parties. Wildwood’s “Happy Birthday, America” happens on Thursday, July 3, from 6 to 10 p.m.
The festivities will feature live music, vendors, a kids’ zone, giveaways, a cash bar, and more. The Greg Warren Band will rock the crowd, and fireworks will light up the night at 9 p.m. at Wildwood Community Center, 6500 Powell Road.
July 4 | Leesburg’s ‘Star Spangled Spectacular’ to delight with multifaceted entertainment
Leesburg kicks off the Fourth of July weekend with free festivities beginning at 4 p.m. on Friday, July 4, at Ski Beach in Venetian Gardens, 201 Lake Harris Drive. Entertainment and vendors will be set up along Ski Beach.
Expect carnival rides, and the best part: No tickets or wristbands are required. Captain America and Rick Stacy from Sunny 105.9 FM. will make an appearance before the fireworks at 9 p.m., attendees can enjoy food vendors, music from the Groove Slayers at 5 p.m.
There’s fun stuff just outside Venetian Gardens, on both sides. The adjacent Pat Thomas Stadium will feature a Leesburg Lightning home game and seating to watch the fireworks. The back-to-back champions of the Florida Collegiate Summer League will challenge the Deland Suns at 5 p.m. at the historic stadium. Parents of little ones, take note: The Splash Pad in Rogers Park will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the standard admission fee of $2.
Those driving to the event should park at sites north of Dixie Avenue, including the ballfield at the corner of Canal Street and Dixie Avenue and the lot by the shuffleboard courts, on South Second Street. Spaces are also available throughout downtown Leesburg. Details: LeesburgFl.gov.
July 4 | Tavares Independence Day will feature parade, flyover and fireworks
Update: As of July 2, the Tavares parade has been canceled, but the entertainment and fireworks are still on.
Lake County’s capital also says Happy Birthday to America on Friday, July 4, starting with a party along Main Street at 4:45 p.m. A patriotic parade marches on the downtown corridor at 5 p.m. At that time, a seaplane flyover will also dazzle the crowd.
Family-friendly fun follows at Wooton Park, 100 E. Ruby St., featuring live music, community vendors, food trucks, a family fun zone, and more. The Hootz hit the stage and perform their energetic country-pop tunes at 6 p.m. According to the city, “they’re a new, uniquely original-sounding, modern, fun show band like nothing else.”
Fireworks cap off the festivities at 9 p.m. Seating is limited; attendees are urged to bring a chair or blanket. Free parking is available in the parking garage at 200 N. Sinclair Ave. Details: tavaresfl.gov.
July 4 | Eustis’ ‘Hometown Celebration’ to highlight ’90s hit band, swimming and ski show
Eustis’ Hometown Celebration, entertaining both on its namesake lake and offshore, returns on Friday, July 4, from 5 to 10 p.m. in Ferran Park, which will be filled with food trucks and craft vendors. Admission is free, and as with other celebrations, bringing a chair or blanket is recommended.
Family-friendly activities and a new feature: a silent disco, from 5 to 8 p.m., which allows participants to wear a set of headphones and groove on a dance floor, offers a different way to unwind.
Returning this year, the Central Florida Ski Show will make a spectacular splash at 6 p.m. At 8 p.m., the band Deep Blue Something, known for their hit single “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” will take the Alice McClelland Bandshell stage.
Those who need to cool off can head to the Eustis Aquatics Center pool, which offers free admission from 5 to 7 p.m. as part of the 2025 Hometown Celebration. The grand finale of the event will be the fireworks show at 9:30 p.m. over Lake Eustis. Details: eustis.org
July 4 | Groveland’s Independence Day at Lake David Park
Celebrate Independence Day on July 4 at Groveland’s Lake David Park, 450 S. Lake Ave., with an array of festivities that begin with a Miss Firecracker pageant from 1 to 4 p.m., car show from 4 to 8 p.m. Randall Crawford entertains from 6 to 7:15 p.m. and Chas Collins takes the stage from 7:45 to 9:15 Fireworks can be seen over the lake at 9 p.m. Details: groveland-fl.gov/717/Independence-Day-Celebration
July 4 | Clermont’s Red, White & Boom Celebration
Take part in a 4th of July celebration that offers lakeside activities for the whole family with live music, food trucks, bounce houses and, of course, fireworks over the lovely Lake Minneola. Takes place Friday, July 4, from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at Waterfront Park, 100 Third St., Clermont. Email JStills@ClermontFl.org for more information.
Shuttle buses will offer free rides to Waterfront Park from Clermont Performing Arts Center, West Park and other venues, beginning at 4:30 p.m. You can find a shuttle map on the ClermontFL.gov website.
July 4 | Warehouse Club Fourth of July Celebration
Our community’s sports pub-meets-first responder-nonprofit invites you to celebrate their sixth anniversary with another big family-friendly shindig.
At 3 p.m., the Warehouse will serve burgers and hot dogs, with sides, including “Ms. Linda’s amazing Potato Salad.” They are asking for a donation of $5 to support our mission of supporting those who have protected us, past and present. Lifetime members get in for free.
Toiya Lee performs at 3:30 p.m. At 5:30, the Mudds, a local jazzy blues band, takes the stage. “No crowds, affordable drinks and easy parking,” says manager/co-founder John Sokol, who invites all to watch the Leesburg fireworks from “the best seat in the house (plenty of parking without the crowds).” The Warehouse can be found at 312 S. Second St., Leesburg, two blocks south of Main St. Details: 352-616-1911.
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Ka-boom! This year’s guide for 4th of July fun in Lake and Sumter County
Reporting by Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial / Daily Commercial
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
