By Roxanne Brown
Where to Celebrate Independence Day Across Lake and Sumter Counties
Fireworks will light up skies across Lake and Sumter counties this Independence Day as communities prepare for a weekend of celebrations ranging from hometown festivals and patriotic ceremonies to live concerts and family-friendly activities. Whether you’re looking for a lakeside fireworks show, a parade or an evening of entertainment, there are plenty of ways to celebrate close to home.
This year also marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, adding extra significance to festivities throughout the region as communities celebrate both the nation’s history and its future.
Clermont
The City of Clermont’s annual Red, White and Boom celebration returns to Waterfront Park from 5 to 9:30pm July 4. The free event features live music, food trucks, bounce houses, family activities and a fireworks finale over Lake Minneola. Free shuttle service will be available from the Clermont Arts and Recreation Center and Lake Hiawatha Preserve.
Eustis
Eustis will celebrate America250 during its annual Hometown Celebration on July 3 at Ferran Park. Festivities begin at 4 p.m. with live music, food and craft vendors, family activities and a water ski show on Lake Eustis. Country music star and Eustis native Michael Ray headlines the event at 8pm, followed by the largest fireworks display in the celebration’s history.
Groveland
Groveland’s Independence Day Celebration takes place from 4 to 9:30pm July 4 at Lake David Park. The event includes live entertainment, food trucks, vendors, a kids zone and a fireworks show.
Leesburg
In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, Leesburg’s Star Spangled Spectacular begins at 4pm July 4 at Ski Beach Park. The celebration includes a flagpole dedication, live music by Groove Infusion, free carnival rides and games, food vendors and a Leesburg Lightning baseball game before fireworks illuminate Lake Harris at 9pm.
Mount Dora
Freedom on the Waterfront returns July 3 from 4 to 10pm at Elizabeth Evans Park. The free event features live performances by Tonic and Cat Ridgeway, food vendors, family activities and a unique drone light show followed by fireworks over Lake Dora.
Tavares
Tavares will kick off its annual Fourth of July Celebration with a parade at 5pm July 4. The festivities continue downtown with games, food vendors, live entertainment and family activities before a fireworks display over Lake Dora at 9pm.
The Villages
The Villages’ All-American Celebration takes place July 4 from 3 to 10pm at Lake Sumter Landing Market Square. Guests can enjoy live music, food and market vendors, a cornhole tournament, watermelon-eating contests, classic cars and family-friendly entertainment throughout the day.
Wildwood
Wildwood’s Happy Birthday America celebration will be held July 3 from 6 to 10pm at the Wildwood Community Center. Activities include live music by the Greg Warren Band, food trucks, vendors, carnival games, a pie-eating contest and a fireworks display at 9pm.
Originally from Nogales, Arizona, Roxanne worked in the customer service industry while practicing freelance writing for years. She came on board with Akers Media in July 2020 as a full-time staff writer for Lake & Sumter Style Magazine and was promoted to Managing Editor in October 2023—her dream job come true. Prior to that and after just having moved to Florida in 1999, Roxanne had re-directed her prior career path to focus more on journalism and went on to become a reporter for The Daily Commercial/South Lake Press newspapers for 16 years. Additionally, Roxanne—now an award-winning journalist recognized by the Florida Press Club and the Florida chapter of The Society of Professional Journalism—continues working toward her secondary goal of becoming a published author of children’s books.
