(This story was updated to accurately reflect the most current information)
Lake County, in all its waterfront splendor, offers the perfect backdrop for Independence Day fireworks.
Speaking of big booms, the new Jurassic Mall Exhibit’s lifelike dinosaurs have thumped into Lake Square Mall.
There’s also a patriotic 4th of July parade in Mount Dora, or enjoy live music in The Villages. More below.
4th of July fireworks throughout Lake County
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. Live entertainment, rides and vendors will be featured along Ski Beach.
Eustis’ Hometown Celebration coincides with its First Friday street party on Friday, July 4, from 5 to 10 p.m. in Ferran Park, which will be filled with food trucks and craft vendors. Live music from a band that put out a catchy hit in the 1990s. Admission is free, and as with other celebrations, bringing a chair or blanket is recommended.
UPDATE: The Tavares parade has been canceled, but the entertainment and fireworks are still happening.
Lake County’s capital also says Happy Birthday to America on Friday, July 4, starting with a party along Main Street in Tavares 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. Groveland and Clermont are also getting in on the fun. Read more in our Fourth of July guide at dailycommercial.com
Independence Day Parade in Mount Dora
Head to downtown Mount Dora for Mount Dora’s July 4th Independence Day Parade on Friday, July 4, at 10 a.m. on Donnelly Street. Bring your flags and the family, and line the streets for one of the historic downtown’s favorite traditions filled with music, floats, and fun. Details: CarsonC@CityofMountDora.com
Warehouse Club 6th Anniversary Celebration
The Warehouse Club, a sports pub ‘n’ grill-meets-first responder-nonprofit, invites you to celebrate its anniversary on Friday, July 4, 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.” The club is asking for a donation of $5. Toiya Lee performs at 3:30 p.m. At 5:30, the Mudds, a local jazzy blues band, takes the stage. The Warehouse can be found at 312 S. Second St., Leesburg, two blocks south of Main Street. Details: 352-616-1911.
Celebrate grand opening of Lake Square’s ‘Jurassic Mall’
Lake Square Mall’s Jurassic Mall Event grand opening festivities will celebrate a lifelike prehistoric display at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 5. The attraction will be on view in one of its storefronts through Sept. 30, featuring more than 70 creatures, designed with accurate scientific specifications, including feathered Avian theropod dinosaurs. A Godzilla panel, “Jurassic Park” panel and more may also be featured at mall events.
Also, Lake Square Mall will be 45 this September, a feat for indoor shopping malls. Read our story at dailycommercial.com for more about the exhibit’s designer and long-range plans for Lake Square.
It costs $5 to see the Jurassic Mall Event. Kids 5 and younger get in free. An unlimited individual pass is available for $50. The exhibit will feature bi-weekly events and the possibility of unveiling new dinosaurs and will be open four days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday to Sunday. Those interested in attending can visit Lakecollectacon.com for more info or visit exhibit room 310 at Lake Square Mall, 10401 U.S. 441, for schedule and updates.
Live bands at Lake Sumter Landing in The Villages
The Villages’ Lake Sumter Landing Market Square will host the Zee-R Band, originally from Brazil but plays hits from all eras, from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 5. Think Big Band keeps the crowd “toe-tapping and dancing from the first down-beat to the last encore” from 5 to 9 on Sunday. Find out more at thevillagesentertainment.com/lake-sumter-landing
A look ahead …
Bushnell Music Camp for kids
Bushnell Methodist Church will sponsor a free summer music camp designed to introduce children 8 to 12 years old to music. Lessons will be provided at the church and will include guitar, piano and voice. Signup for the camp begins immediately as lessons begin on Tuesday, July 9, and will run each Wednesday through Aug. 6. Light snacks will be provided. Limited guitars will be provided; first-come, first-served. Apply at the church at 221 W. Noble Ave. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Details: 352-793-3221.
Downtown Leesburg Luau-style pub crawl
The Summer Shenanigans series continues with the Downtown Leesburg Luau Pub Crawl on Saturday, July 19, from 4 to 8 p.m. The tropical twist on your favorite local night out starts with a check-in at Turner’s Bar + Kitchen beginning at 3:30 p.m. Ticket includes self-guided or guided group option. Guided groups will leave from Turner’s at 4 p.m. Admission is $25 (plus $3.52 fee).
Venues also include McCracken’s Irish Pub, Marmaduke’s Lodge, Burns Drugstore Speakeasy Lounge, Sipping Garden & Bistro, Brick & Barrel Public House, Great Chicago Fire Brewery, Wolf Branch Brewing, Mystic Ice Cream, Two Old Hags Wine Shoppe, Hamrick Family Vineyards, The Warehouse, Prime 3 Steakhouse and Vanderbrew Coffee Shop. Details: dtleesburgevents@gmail.com.
Grace Bible performance of ‘The Child Stealer’
The Academy of Arts at Grace Bible Church will perform “The Child Stealer” at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 13, at Grace Bible Baptist Church.
The hourlong production tells the true story of Amy Carmichael, an Irish missionary who bravely went to India as a single woman. Her daring and courage became widely known as she opened a safe house to rescue children from trafficking in Hindu temples. She served in India for fifty-five years without a furlough, and her faith has inspired many Christians to become missionaries and remain steadfast in their faith. The church is located at 1703 Lewis Road, Leesburg. Admission is free. Details: 352-326-5738.
Carver High & Lake County Training School Reunion
Many might not know that a good number of Leesburg citizens attended segregated schools. The first was founded in 1876, and two of its church locations were destroyed by fire. In 1922, the school board opened the school, renamed Lake County Training School, with fewer than 100 students and five faculty members. The first high school class graduated in 1933, and enrollment had increased to 300 students.
In 1954, Carver Heights High School opened and held classes until 1968, when integration was finally enforced in Leesburg. Their team was the Trojans.
During the weekend of July 18-20, alumni from both schools will gather for their annual reunion celebration. Registration to attend events on Friday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A scholarship banquet will take place later, 7 to 10 p.m. On Saturday, July 19, participants can enjoy a historic bus tour from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. That evening, a reunion dance will gather alumni from 7 to 10 p.m. Participants will gather for a worship service on Sunday, July 20, at 10 a.m., followed by a farewell luncheon. For more information, call Bessie Rawls at 352-396-0221.
Stepping Out for Education kicks it in Leesburg
Stepping Out for Education, the Education Foundation of Lake County’s fundraising version of “Dancing with the Stars,” will feature a big-top circus theme and bring its 2025 ballroom festivities to the Venetian Center, 1 Dozier Circle, Leesburg, on Friday, July 25, and Saturday, July 26.
The local celebs in this year’s event include Leesburg City Commissioner Allyson Berry; Justin Allender, a community banker and commercial loan officer at the First National Bank of Mount Dora; West Germeroth, sales and project manager, Lake Jem Farms; Ariel Rolon, project manager at Wharton-Smith; Marlene Straughan, regional executive director for Lake County Schools; and Ericka Wright, assistant vice president and branch manager at Addition Financial.
Details: E-mail edfoundation@lake.k12.fl.us or visit edfoundationlake.com. Read our story, “Stepping Out for Education,” at dailycommercial.com for more about the foundation, the event and its fundraising successes.
Jimmy Buffet luau show at Grand Oaks Resort
Parrothead alert: Stellar Stage Multimedia Productions and Legends Entertainment will present on Saturdays, July 26 and Aug. 23, “Jim & Annie’s Island Party,” a luau-style event with tunes by the late great Jimmy Buffett. The Grand Oaks Resort is located at 3000 Marion County Road, Weirsdale. For details and reservations, email stellarstageshows@gmail.com
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: 5 things to do 4th of July weekend in Lake or Sumter County plus a look ahead
Reporting by Julie Garisto, Leesburg Daily Commercial / Daily Commercial
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